Prostate Cancer in Cancer Forum

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Prostate Cancer

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cruzer

Prostate Cancer

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Posts: 28

Nov 6 08 12:52 PM

My husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. The doctor has said that he does not need to wait long to have it taken care of. We have applied to the VA for medical assistance and have also applied for compensation. He was in Vietnam. Thanks to this site and others we found out that compensation was available because of him being exposed to Agent Orange. We had no idea. We were so worried about how we were going to pay the bills and get by during this time but hopefully that won't be a problem. If we have to wait a while to get the money we can borrow some from my mom.

My question is since we applied to the VA for medical assistance for his cancer, does it normally take very long since he already has a diagnosis or does that matter? I am sorry if this has been asked and answered before but I could not find this specific question. Also, when I filled out the application for compensation online, it went to a different location than the application for medical care. Does that matter?

Do we need to fill out another application for the C & P exam? As you can see, I am kind of confused. I have read a lot on here and it has started to all run together. If we don't hear from the VA soon, we will need to go ahead and go back to his original urologist so he can refer him to an oncologist.

I have one more question. I hope you don't mind. Has anyone had the HDT Brachytherapy done? If so, how did it work out. We have been reading about it and it seems to have far less side effects than other treatment or surgery. It consist of only 2 treatments and the seeds are removed after the treatments so that you are not radioactive when you are done. There are so many options it is hard to decide.

I want to thank everyone so much for all the great information you provide on this site. It is wonderful.

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feich101

#1

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Posts: 1984

Nov 6 08 8:47 PM

I'm not an expert on this subject. Your husband had Vietnam service then prostate cancer will be rated at 100% during treatment. And for 6 months afterward. You used a term "applied to the VA for medical assistance". Don't know exactly what that means, but you should file a claim for disability with the VA for service connection. Try to get a service representative to assist in filing this claim. The DAV, VFW, and American Legion all have a service representative and they will assist in filling the claim. Some are good some not so good. I use the DAV myself.

I have prostate cancer myself. I just finished 42 radiation treatments this past April. Most people die with prostate cancer than from it.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be alone later.

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cruzer

#2

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Posts: 28

Nov 7 08 12:31 AM

feich101,

Thank you for your reply. I am not sure where to find one of these representatives. We live in a small town and I don't know that we have access to any of these. I may not be using the correct terminology but my daughter called the VA hospital where my husband would like to go for medical treatment and they sent an application which we filled out and returned to them. That is what I meant by "applying for medical assistance". I should have said "medical treatment", I guess.

Did it take you long to get an appointment after you applied? We would just like to get this going. I know everyone feels that way Iam sure. I hope you are doing well. Did you get burned very much? I had radiation almost 15 years ago and they cooked me. I still have a lot of problems. It can do a lot of damage. I know they have done a lot of improvement since then though.

Thanks again for the info.

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HC130P

Prostate Cancer

#3

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Posts: 35

Nov 7 08 7:50 PM

I also believe that you need to get in touch with a Veterans Service Officer. Almost all towns have them. The County or State representatives are government funded. You should find them listed in the white pages of your phone book. The local VFW, American Legion and almost any other veteran's orginazation will either have a represenative or know how to get you in touch with one.

The VA Health system and VA compensation system are separate and seldom pass information between themselves. A good VSO will not only speed up your medical appointment, but will also file the claim for compensation. The compensation is a given with proper documentation of Vietnam service and medical diagnosis.

I read in your first post that the Urologist was going to refer him to a Oncoligist. What I read between the lines is that the cancer may be advanced and should have treatment soon. The Urologist should have biopsy results that show how involved the Prostate is and the degree of aggressivness of the tumor (Gleason Score). Although many PC patients die of other causes, those with most aggressive tumors may not be as lucky. An aggresive tumor is indicated by a Gleason Score of 7 or higher.

I too, have PC, but came in with a Gleason 9. I had some escapement into the lymph nodes, but with good treatment, I am now in my 8th year since diagnosis. Without that excellent treatment, I would have been long gone.

I would not set back and wait.

Best Regards, Ted

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feich101

#4

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Posts: 1984

Nov 7 08 10:03 PM

Cruzer, My blood work showed my psa at 4.6 and after waiting for a month and more blood work my psa went up to 6.46. my Gleason was 6.
It took me about 2 months to see an urologist. I was also being treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The radiation treatment did not have any side effects. I drove myself 80 miles (one way). Treatment lasted about 10 minutes. About the The 30th treatment cycle I started having problems with my bladder. I Had to stop about every 20 miles or so to urinate. Even though I had a real strong urge, I could not void more than two squirts and a dribble. Some times it was much more, you just never knew. I got flomax and that fixed most of the problem.

And HC130 gave some good advice. I would guess the VA hospital you called will have a Veterans Service Officer on site. Maybe you could see the patient advocate representative, and they could point you in the right direction.

Good luck on your treatment.

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cruzer

#5

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Posts: 28

Nov 8 08 12:25 AM

feich, we got some good news today. We found out that we have an appointment at the VA hospital next Friday for orientation. They will tell us then all of the benefits that my husband is eligible for and explain everything to us. They said at that time they will set up a doctor's appointmnt. We probably already know about all of the benefits but it won't hurt to go and hear what they have to say.

Thanks for all the great advice.

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Mikeymc

#6

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Posts: 24

Nov 9 08 11:30 PM

I recently finished HDR brachytherapy in Palm Beach County Florida. The local VA hospital (very highly respected) does not do this type of proceedure and contracts a local hospital to provide the service. My therapy was a series of low dose external radiation (23 treatments of about 10 minutes each) followed by two HDR treatments with temporary implants. All went well from the standpoint of minimal pain and discomfort. The next step is a post-op PSA which they do 3 months after finishing the radiation. I have another 6 weeks to wait to see the results.

Each of us has to make the decision of which procedure is "right" for us. Initially I scheduled surgery with the Cleveland Clinic but the surgeon decided to move/retire to another state and I had my doubts about his replacement. After hours and hours of research, meeting with various surgeons and radiation oncologists, the oncologist contracted by the VA gave me the confidence that his approach would give me the results I wanted. Too many vets had had surgery only to end up with total impotence and/or urinary problems I was not ready to confront. So far so good.

I wish you the best of luck with the treatment plan that you feel works for you.

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cruzer

#7

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Posts: 28

Nov 10 08 12:05 AM

Thanks for the info, Mikeymc. It is nice to have many options in a way but it makes it difficult to make a decision but like you the HDR Brachytherapy seems to be the least invasive with better results and fewer side effects. We just don't know if they provide it at the VA hospital that we will be going to. If they do that is probably what we will do. Hopefully we will find out more on Fri.

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feich101

#8

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Posts: 1984

Nov 10 08 8:07 PM

If the VA hospital does not have the ability to administer the services you require, they most likely have a contract with a local facility to give the treatment at no cost to the patient. In some instances the patient is sent to another VA hospital.

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cruzer

#9

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Posts: 28

Nov 10 08 11:42 PM

HC130P,

Thanks for the information. My husband's Gleason Score was 6 and the doctor said we had some time. So we should be o.k. Since we are now in the process maybe it won't be too long now before we get some treatment going. I'm glad you had good results.

feich101,

I hope you are right and they will send us to a hospital in the area for the treatment. That would be great. The hospital we are going to is 90 miles away and we really don't want to go any further away but we have to do what we have to do.

Thanks, everyone for all your help! You are GREAT!

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bishopjohn

Prostate cancer in palm beach county

#10

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Posts: 1

Mar 4 09 10:45 AM

Hi,
My name is John Marks and was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I live in Palm Beach County, too and am a veteran as well. I have explored the many, many options for treatment and have come to the conclusion that treatment through the VA here locally will probably be the best choice. I understand that the local VA in WPB here subcontracted your treatment out. Do you mind to give me some information on the name of the doctor and facility that treated you? I am interested in the HDR and radiation in combination as that was recommended by another Oncologist here locally though not through the VA. I have an appointment at the VA next week with the Oncologist. I am happy to hear that you received the best of care/treatment through our local VA Hospital. I will keep you in my prayers, Mike.

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Kliff

incontinence

#11

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Posts: 3

Mar 7 09 12:58 AM

will the Va help or give me treatment with stem cell after my prostate cancer removal ; it was removed one year ago at Va hospial in Houston Tx

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cruzer

Surgery

#12

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Posts: 28

Mar 8 09 6:10 PM

After we talked to the doctor, we made the decision to go with surgery. We had thought that my husband was going to go with the HDR brachytherapy but he changed his mind. The doctor said that patients do really well with the HDR but 5 yrs or so later they start having the side effects and since I have experience with radiation and the side effects, my husband decided he did not want to have any of the problems that I am dealing with. He is scheduled for surgery March 24th, we hope. This has been rescheduled twice.

I wish everyone the best in whichever choice you make. It is not an easy decision to make.

We are still waiting to hear from my husband compensation. We hope we will start getting it soon since he will be off work for 6 weeks and I am no longer working for health reasons.

Carol

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Kliff

Probles with treatments ?

#13

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Posts: 3

Mar 8 09 6:14 PM

Monsieur to me that a bad way to leave one who gave service. So often people thank me for the service but when its time for them to give they are off to do something for them selves If we Vet would have said well I' am not going to serve were would this country be . My Dr said almost the same thing he was the only one that knew Robots surgery so he left me in the hands of another man and when you go into the room to see the Chief Dr then ell you that if you get the Radition treatment they can't do surgeryafter you get radition treatment now I'am back to radition treatment

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Kliff

#14

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Posts: 3

Mar 8 09 11:59 PM

Probles with treatments ?	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2 03/08/09 18:14:50	Monsieur to me that a bad way to leave one who gave service. So often people thank me for the service but when its time for them to give they are off to do something for them selves If we Vet would have said well I' am not going to serve were would this country be . My Dr said almost the same thing he was the only one that knew Robots surgery so he left me in the hands of another man and when you go into the room to see the Chief Dr then ell you that if you get the Radition treatment they can't do surgeryafter you get radition treatment now I'am back to radition treatment

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devil dog

Prostate Cancer Surgery

#15

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Posts: 87

Apr 2 09 7:58 PM

Just checking in to see how your PSA is after radiation treatment. I has my prostate removed by robotic surgery in Orlando Florida by Dr. Patel Sept of 2008. My PSA is now .02 I did have some incontence by ok now. Do have a problem with ED but should go away. The VA would not pay for this surgery so used my plan at work. Currently trying to get the VA to pick up my deductable. What is you current rating after your theropy?? I did not want radiation due to talk about new cancer from radiation. I am still 100% SC agent orange vietnam.

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barfinkl

Prostate cancer treatments

#16

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Posts: 85

Apr 15 09 6:31 AM

cruzer wrote:

After we talked to the doctor, we made the decision to go with surgery. We had thought that my husband was going to go with the HDR brachytherapy but he changed his mind. The doctor said that patients do really well with the HDR but 5 yrs or so later they start having the side effects and since I have experience with radiation and the side effects, my husband decided he did not want to have any of the problems that I am dealing with. He is scheduled for surgery March 24th, we hope. This has been rescheduled twice.

I wish everyone the best in whichever choice you make. It is not an easy decision to make.

We are still waiting to hear from my husband compensation. We hope we will start getting it soon since he will be off work for 6 weeks and I am no longer working for health reasons.

Carol

Cruzer ~ Hope your surgery went well. I had my robotic prostatectomy in Apr 08 and filed for benefits in May 08. The 100% was awarded in Feb 09 effective Jun 08 and I got a large, lump-sum retroactive payment. I'm glad I made the decision to have the surgery. My going-in Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and afterward, the pathology was 3+4=7. My PSA went from 5.8 to 6.4 in one month, so I had a fairly aggressive form. That's something they can't readily tell unless they do surgery. I had some incontinence and it eventually resolved, but I'm taking Enablex to handle the urgency problem. ED is a given. Someone here said it should clear up. A positive attitude is a good thing, but the data just doesn't support it getting better. If they spare the nerves, you'll at least have a shot at it. I take injections and they work VERY well, so even if you have permanent ED problems, there are work-arounds. Sometimes it takes 2-3 years for erections to return, so don't give up hope.

From what I've heard and read, if you have radiation therapy first, then surgery isn't an option later, whereas, if you have the surgery and it doesn't do the job, you can follow up with radiation. And radiation does indeed have long-term side affects that are much the same as surgery has.

I wish all of us who suffer from this disease the best. US TOO sponsors a great site called Prostate Pointers. You can register with them at rp@prostatepointers.org. There you will find a great deal of help in dealing with this beast, both before and after treatments. You won't regret going there.

Steve

Edited 1 time by barfinkl Apr 15 09 6:50 AM.

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Mikeymc

#17

[-]

Posts: 24

May 20 09 11:13 AM

bishopjohn wrote:
Hi,
My name is John Marks and was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I live in Palm Beach County, too and am a veteran as well. I have explored the many, many options for treatment and have come to the conclusion that treatment through the VA here locally will probably be the best choice. I understand that the local VA in WPB here subcontracted your treatment out. Do you mind to give me some information on the name of the doctor and facility that treated you? I am interested in the HDR and radiation in combination as that was recommended by another Oncologist here locally though not through the VA. I have an appointment at the VA next week with the Oncologist. I am happy to hear that you received the best of care/treatment through our local VA Hospital. I will keep you in my prayers, Mike.

Thanks bishopjohn for the prayers. I haven't been back to this site in a while so I appologize for not responding sooner. By now you have met with the VA in WPB and discussed the options available. More than likely you have already begun (or even finished) treatment. If not, let me know (mhmclafferty@gmail.com) and I will fill you in on the treatment specifics and post-treatment expectations for the HDR at St. Mary's.

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MasterofPublicHealth

#18

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Posts: 2

Aug 26 11 1:22 PM

Hi--I'm just curious after reading through this chat, for all of you veterans that have had or have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and are using VA benefits. were you informed of the treatment option of brachytherapy? My associate and I are public health professionals and we are studying bracytherapy and this treatment option needed within the VA system. From what our studies show--most veterans that don't have private insurance or Medicare are not aware of brachytherapy and any often opt for a radical prostatectomy--which has many long term quality of life issues associated with the surgery.

How many of you were informed of brachytherapy as an option for your prostate cancer treatment? If I can ask, how many were told that hormone therapy and ultimately a radical prostatectomy was your only option? We're concerned many of our veterans have had an uneccessary prostatectomy and we're trying to provide research to pave the way to help our veterans with prostate cancer get appropriate treatment without an uneccessary prostatectomy.
I would love to hear from you--feel free to email me mickietaylormph@gmail.com

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dab60

#19

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Posts: 617

Aug 26 11 3:19 PM

MasterofPublicHealth wrote:
Hi--I'm just curious after reading through this chat, for all of you veterans that have had or have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and are using VA benefits. were you informed of the treatment option of brachytherapy? My associate and I are public health professionals and we are studying bracytherapy and this treatment option needed within the VA system. From what our studies show--most veterans that don't have private insurance or Medicare are not aware of brachytherapy and any often opt for a radical prostatectomy--which has many long term quality of life issues associated with the surgery.

How many of you were informed of brachytherapy as an option for your prostate cancer treatment? If I can ask, how many were told that hormone therapy and ultimately a radical prostatectomy was your only option? We're concerned many of our veterans have had an uneccessary prostatectomy and we're trying to provide research to pave the way to help our veterans with prostate cancer get appropriate treatment without an uneccessary prostatectomy.
I would love to hear from you--feel free to email me mickietaylormph@gmail.com

Hi MasterofPublicHealth. You should start a new thread. This one is two years old. I've seen mostly the surgery option discussed here and a few who have had radiation, some hormone treatment.

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