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HUGE PRAISE!!! I went for my biopsy today, and the first part was an ultrasound exam which they do to try and map out the prostate, find its edges, measure it, etc. If possible they try and learn what they can about the tumor before sticking a bunch of biopsy needles in there.

So the doctor sticks the ultrasound probe in there, and I hear a "Hmmmm!" So I ask what's wrong, and he says "Nothing, but you don't need a biopsy." So it turns out that the "tumor" which he had been pretty sure would turn out to be cancer is actually just a lump of inert calcified tissue. He said that it's very rare to see a calcium deposit that large, which is why he was expecting to see a cancerous tumor.

Anyway, I am cancer free, I don't have to worry aout the calcium thingie, oh, and after being told for the last 11 years that I have an enlarged prostate, the ultrasound today revealed that it is normal size.

God is good, and He hears the prayers of his people.

Excaliber wrote:Prayers continue for good news later that afternoon or the following morning.

My doctor told me it will take about a week to get the results back.

I finally got my biopsy scheduled. It's going to be on February 7th, at 2:45.

lrb111 wrote:Chris you might check out http://www.pcip.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It's insurance for uninsurable folks with pre-existing conditions.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I checked that one out a year ago. Unfortunately, it's even more expensive than the Texas high risk pool. Fortunately though, we'll be able to cover the cost.

Update: still waiting to hear from my doctor as to when the biopsy is scheduled. I'm going to phone them again and bug them.

You guys are the best. I am humbled.

Wow, thanks everyone for the prayers. G26ster, he told me that he would do 12-15 sticks, taken from all over the prostate. Mojo, he said that surgery would be a robotic laparoscopy.

Well I just had a bit of a jolt today. In December of 2009, I had a regular semi-annual visit with my urologist during which he discovered a 1/8" nodule on my prostate gland. The plan was to monitor my PSA levels and then re-check the prostate in a year to see if that nodule would go away. My PSA levels have been trending down ever since, and the test I had just last week showed the lowest level since I've been getting tested (for several years now), and it was at .38. The previous values had been .48 and then .42. However, that nodule has doubled in size in the past year, and I'm now facing a significant chance of having prostate cancer. The next step is a biopsy (ugh!), which we'll schedule sometime in the next week or so I guess. If it is indeed cancerous, then my doctor's recommendation is to remove my prostate. There is some possibility that it is something besides cancer.

I'm not sure I want to go the surgery route if it is cancerous. There is a radiation treatment now that involves implanting radioactive "seeds" in the prostate, and that gradually kills the cancer off without any of the unpleasant (and permanent) after effects which are not uncommon for those who have the surgery. But, the surgery would run me $15,000 and the radiation would be about $50,000, and whichever I choose, it's coming out of our retirement fund since I have no insurance.

Anyway, I would covet your prayers. I know that God is the great healer. I am trusting that He will carry me through this, whatever it turns out to be.