Agent orange and bladder cancer

[justpassinthru]

Old dood for years I was told I had UTI's by my Dr. and a couple of urologist or that I had an inflamed prostate, apparently they were all wrong. When I actually saw blood in urine I went to see a different urologist and his diagnosis was totally different, that was 5 years ago that was 20 some years after original problem started.
Tell the urologist you want to be checked at least once a year regardless of the outcome.
My prostate cancer never showed up in any test or exam, but it showed up be time in the lab when it was removed (stage 4).
At this point I'm just happy to be alive, it was close, very close.

To anyone who is reading this post I urge you to PLEASE GET CHECKED, THIS CANCER CAN USUALLY BE BEAT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH, and yes I intentionally shouted that because I don't wish this on anyone, and it does affect women too.

Old dood sorry for the derail and getting on my soapbox.

Was your PSA within the normal range during the time you were having these problems?

 

[338 dude]

I believe Congress should have the same insurance as the vets! Magically the whole problem with the VA would be fixed. Just a sad state of affairs to treat our heroes this way.

Paul

They should all have to participate in our Social Security and healthcare systems then everything would magically take care of itself

 

[nmkid]

I tried to do it myself...WRONG!! Get a service officer to help. It won't cost you anything but your time. I went with the DAV. Good luck. You will have to jump through many hoops but, it's their ball game. DON'T give up. You should start gathering paperwork from doctors/hospitals you've been to concerning your condition.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Was your PSA within the normal range during the time you were having these problems?

yes it was. Like I wrote no test that I had showed cancer in my prostate.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

Old dood for years I was told I had UTI's by my Dr. and a couple of urologist or that I had an inflamed prostate, apparently they were all wrong. When I actually saw blood in urine I went to see a different urologist and his diagnosis was totally different, that was 5 years ago that was 20 some years after original problem started.
Tell the urologist you want to be checked at least once a year regardless of the outcome.
My prostate cancer never showed up in any test or exam, but it showed up be time in the lab when it was removed (stage 4).
At this point I'm just happy to be alive, it was close, very close.

To anyone who is reading this post I urge you to PLEASE GET CHECKED, THIS CANCER CAN USUALLY BE BEAT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH, and yes I intentionally shouted that because I don't wish this on anyone, and it does affect women too.

Old dood sorry for the derail and getting on my soapbox.

I see him every 6 months. The time in between cystoscopies has increased to every 2 years unless he sees blood or cancer cells in urine samples. Like I said before, I consider myself very lucky. Blood in the urine can be nearly invisible but can always be detected by a professional. I was always the type of guy who never wanted to go to the doctor. All that's changed since I was diagnosed.

 

[justpassinthru]

yes it was. Like I wrote no test that I had showed cancer in my prostate.

DANG, and I had confidence in that.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

well, I followed all the good advise and spoke to the Veteran Affairs rep in my area. He took my info and I emailed him copy of DD214. Fortunately my doctor's office has a feature on their website that allows emailing of all the procedures and tests I've had. VA rep was emailed that also.

 

[rjtfroggy]

DANG, and I had confidence in that.

Please don't go by my results. GET TESTED yearly.
I had a carsonoma (spelling) in my bladder that would not show up for 12 months then be back then be gone again, until it decided to blow up then it was spreading, it was headed for my kidneys and had to go.
It was discovered when I was 64 and it took until my 69th birthday before removal. My birthday was 2/21 my removal was 2/24 quite a present wouldn't you say.

 

[justpassinthru]

Please don't go by my results. GET TESTED yearly.
I had a carsonoma (spelling) in my bladder that would not show up for 12 months then be back then be gone again, until it decided to blow up then it was spreading, it was headed for my kidneys and had to go.
It was discovered when I was 64 and it took until my 69th birthday before removal. My birthday was 2/21 my removal was 2/24 quite a present wouldn't you say.

I had an uncle who advised me 30 years ago to be sure my Dr checks my PSA at my yearly physical, and I always ask about that.
Appreciate the info.