Caregiver's Story: How to Talk to a Doctor as a Caregiver | Silvia Cooper, PCRI Helpline Facilitator

[@T-Hogie]

Silvia is wonderful and has given me a lot of reassurance. I'm at the beginning of my journey with my prostate right now. No diagnosis of cancer at this time but I had one 'old school' urologist who wanted to do a random biopsy and wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. I went to another urologist who ordered other non or not so invasive tests and wants me to come back in six months. I must say that I am a bit freaked out and scared by this. Oh, another thing about that first urologist too was that he had called me with results of what testing he did but I wanted to share the conversation with my wife. He refused and said we could both come in to his office to discuss everything. My wife is essentially a shut-in and doesn't get out of the house. Needless to say I dropped him like a hot potato and got that second opinion.

[@grateful7839]

Like to see the decision tree on prostate cancer treatment - for me it was “your PSA is 5..5 up from 3.9, you need a biopsy”. Biopsy said Gleason score was questionable with cancer located in several sectors, “we recommend taking it out as soon as possible”. Kaiser, could I please get a second opinion? Second urologist also recommends surgery but mentions an alternate method, so you ask him: Could I please get a referral to radiology? Panel of doctors explain types of radiation over the phone. You do your own research and make the rare decision for radioactive seeds. All this takes time, patience and perseverance. Being nice and learning all you can is key. Watching PCRI KZbin’s and conferences are so helpful. It ain’t easy running the gauntlet scared, but you get to keep your prostate at the end, such as it is. Grateful PCRI.

[@kennytraylor6798]

Did you have the seed implant? If so what is your PSA now ?

[@tgburger]

Just listening and watching you two was refreshing. Thank you.

[@cfrazier1840]

Thank you so much for this. I would like to call someday soon. I am sole caregiver for my 95 year old father who is deaf and has some dementia, but it is now my husband who needs care giving because he has prostate cancer.

[@JustaReadingguy]

Good grief- thanks for this interview. It will give me enough confidence to confront my urologist about the direction she is taking my treatment. Her approach seems to be keeping doing random biopsies until something is found then radiation till something good happens. So many other options seem likely to be helpful. Again thanks. I really mean thanks.

[@kennytraylor6798]

Amen on the random biopsy. My urologist is wanting to do one after another doctor did a 3T MRI and a MRI in bore guided biopsy. I have not done the random biopsy.

[@roger1uk676]

That was just lovely!

[@msbmsbus]

I don't understand why weight lifting, which is known for increasing testosterone levels, is important during hormone treatment, when lowering testosterone production is what you are trying to accomplish.