Just found out that I had Prostate Cancer

Hi all.
I'm new here and I need a lot of support right now. I'm glad I found this site. Here is my situation. I'm currently 54 years old, born in Guyana, South America and moved to the US when I was 23 years old. I'm a mechanical engineer, married and have two daughters 30 and 25 years. No one in my family, I know of have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My father had a biopsy done for prostate but it showed negative. He passed away two years ago of another illness (none cancer)
On Feb 14, I went for my annual physical and my doctor did the DRE exam and said my prostate is normal and my PSA was 1.9 (I had done my blood work a couple of days back so he had the result) During the physical he felt something in my right testicle so he ordered sonogram which I did and it came back that I did have a cyst there. He then asked me to see a urologist and I did. The urologist then check my testicle along with a urine test and said that everything there is well if its not bothering me. He also checked my prostate since I was there and told me that he felt a hard spot in my prostate and he wants to do a biopsy. The biopsy result came back positive and the hold me that I have T2b and my score is a 6 on the Gleason Scale. This was all new to me as I was very shocked about the result. He also went through all my treatment options and recommended to remove the prostate as my best option and I’m scheduled to see the surgeon this Thursday.
I guess I’m at the point of deciding which treatment is best for me with the least long term side effects. Like I said, this is all new for me and I need all the help I can get.

Thanks for reading my story.

Sorry you have to be here, but it sounds like you have got things under control...or at least headed in the right direction.  You do not have to go to the surgeon your urologist recommends.  Often times they will refer you to a surgeon, but you don't have to go with that particular one.  This is 100% your decision. 

My father ended up going with a surgeon out of Seattle who was really good. (He lives in Oregon).  His original urologist understood.  Unfortunately, he needs additional treatment and is receiving that in Oregon from a radiation oncologist down there.  He has been happy with his team of doctors so far and I think that is REALLY important.  Make sure you are comfortable and confident in the doctor you select.  Good luck and keep us posted!

Krisp, hang in there buddy.  It is a shock for everyone.  Even now, it seems surreal that I am a cancer patient, but one learns to deal with it and look for the good things that happen.

Some feedback to some of your questions and concerns.....

Typically there is at least a 6 week waiting period from biopsy to surgery, so you have some time.

You certainly do NOT have to use the surgeon that your urologist recommended.  A boyhood friend of mine was diagnosed about 6 weeks before I was.  His local docs would not do nerve-sparing surgery, so he went to Johns Hopkins...three states away from his home...and had his surgery done there.

In my case, my urologist and his partners are all surgeons with a lot of experience, so I opted to have my urologist perform the surgery.  He is in DFW also, so if you need his name, contact me at [email protected].  I opted for open surgery.

Good luck to you in your journey to recovery.

DanMan Bob

Kris--Welcome! You're among friends here. You have already gotten some good, solid suggestions about your prostate cancer diagnosis.

With your statistics you have the leisure of taking some time to read up on prostate cancer treatment options and consider them thoroughly before making your choice. I'm uncomfortable with a long watch and wait approach in someone so young, but you do have time on your side.

I waited for a number of months before deciding on treatment. For me it came down to either brachytherapy or surgery. I also think proton treatment is a good option, but this was not a practical choice for me.

Take care and hang in there...Tim

HI Krisp. Welcome to the best site no one wants to be at. But, we are all glad you came. You have had some good advise and see you have already done some homework on you Dr. You need to stay away from a Dr. that has had problems and would also suggest you consult your state's Medical Board to see if any other complaints have been filed against any Dr. you are going to see. Doctors are human and have problems just like everyone else.

Mika

Hi ~ Krisp & Loved Ones ,   W elcome     to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~   Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!     Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get around the forum!   v        This is a journey best traveled with friends. Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       TC-LasVegas ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg

As others have said, take your time and make sure you understand *all* of your options. You need to realize that the doctors recommending you have surgery are surgeons, and it's only logical that's what they will recommend as treatment. I'd suggest you also evaluate the other options open to you.

My husband had what was considered low risk cancer and chose to have brachytherapy. His PSA was a bit higher than yours and his Gleason was 6 (3+3) although nothing was evident on DRE. He's 58 and very fit and didn't feel he could deal with the side effects of surgery nor the downtime. We took several months in deciding which route to take.

There likely are a number of options open to you and you should take your time to evaluate them all for yourself.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. I was 56 when out of the blue I got the hammer in the chest. You will soon become an expert about this disease. It sounds like they are on it soon enough and you have a very good chance of a normal long life. I had the DaVinci 10/12/06 and everything is working really well at this point. It took 10 months for Mr Willy to wake up by himself. It won't be a fun thing you get to experience, but you can get through it and learn from it in a very positve way if you so choose. I'm not on here as much as I was and some of the guys that were really scared at the same time I was have moved on andf we don't hear from them. It is most likely because they are recovered living and surviving with life. God Bless You!

Sorry to hear about the reasons that brought you to this forum but you are at a great place for information. I had my surgery last August...... would I opt for surgery again? Absolutely! But if I was starting over now with a diagnosis I would be making that decision armed with far a greater knowledge and understanding due to the postings and stories of members here as well as that other great site www.yananow.net. My only suggestion is the same as other members.........namely take your time, research, research, read, read and read again (particularly the members experiences). Next time you see your Dr. you will be armed with all the relevent questions to ask as well as knowing exactly what he's talking about, basing your final decision on what is best and appropiate for you rather than the immediate panic reaction following diagnosis of "get this out of me now"
Bill

HI

I am replying to CPA that lives in Richmond Va. My husband was recently diagnosed with a score of 6, one side of his prostate has cancer and one side doesn't. He is 51 with a PSA of 4.2. His surgeon has recommended his only option being surgery. I don't know alot about him and wanted to know if you could recommend your surgeon because we are also in Richmond, Va. This has blindsided us as he didn't have any symptons whatsoever and now has to make this huge decision. He is worried about sexual performance and I just want him alive! Do most men regain their sexual performance in a reasonable time. I just have so many questons and could use any help that someone can give.

Thank you so much.

Krisp,

I can not add anything to what others have said except to mention one of the more advertised Da Vinci surgeons is Dr. Randy Fagin in Austin. I know of a couple of forum members had their surgery done there with good results. Search for his web site and check it out.

Tamu

Greetings, VaFan.  I'm sorry we have to meet (in cyberspace no less) under these circumstances but I'm glad to help wherever I can.  My surgeon is William (Bill) Morgan with Virginia Urology. I have seen him at their Stony Point offices and had my surgery at St Mary's.  I understand he does about 6 surgeries a week, every week.  He is not only a fine doctor, but my experience says he is a fine man as well.  He came highly recommended from a friend whose son had Dr. Morgan as his doctor for testicular cancer.  My urologist is Dr. Isaac Kosio, also with Virginia Urology.  I would highly recommend both Dr. Morgan and Dr. Kosio.  Dr. Morgan spent about an hour with us on our initial visit.  He answered questions and went over everything in great detail.  The morning of the surgery he came in and talked with me in the prep area and after our visit, he clasped my hand and had prayer with me before the surgery.  As a Christian, this was important to me.  The Virginia Urology group has a class that they ask all their patients to attend prior to surgery.  It was very beneficial for us.  The sexual performance issues as you can see from reading this board run from no issues (very rare) to those that continue to have issues after fairly long periods of time.  I had the nerve sparing open surgery and things have worked out well for us.  I am convinced that my wife of 34 years has played a big role in all of my recovery, including this issue in particular.  I would be glad to answer specific questions and do anything we can to help - our personal email is  ( Edit e-mail )     Please feel free to send us a note and we'll get right back to you.  David   Age 55 Diagnosed Dec 2007 during annual routine physical PSA doubled from previous year from 1.5 to 3.2 12 biopsies - 2 positive with 2 marginal Gleason 3 + 3 = 6 RRP 4 Feb 08 Both nerves spared Good pathology - no margins - all encapsulated - Gleason 4 + 3 = 7 Catheter out Feb 13 - wore pad for couple of days - pad free Feb 16 Great wife and family who take very good care of me     ( Edit e-mail ) Click on link and Refresh …once page is opened.     **** E-Mail Addresses for Members Only (Masking for Security) Contact bluebird   Moderator for e-mail address   Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 4/7/2008 8:16:03 PM (GMT-6)

Hi KrisP, Sorry to see you here because of the reason, but glad you found this forum..It is chock full of good men and women who have been a great help to hundreds traveling the same road as you. One thing to remember is that surgeons don't want to operate to quickly after the biopsies.. They want to give time for inflammation and swelling to reside. This is usually six to eight weeks. A book I would recommend is one by Dr. Patrick Walsh of Johns Hopkins. You will see from my signature that I was a little further along ( higher PSA and Gleason scores ) than you. My surgeon had to remove one nerve and part of the other. I am doing well and things are progressing on schedule. It has been 7 months since surgery and I am still not able to self erect. However this is normal if the nerves have been disconnected. I have hopes to be in good shape ( total use ) in another year or so. This said the one thing I am ecstatic about is I am cancer free. My three PSA tests since surgery have been undetectable. This was the number one goal, so I feel my surgery was 100% successful. Stay positive, read, study, walk a lot, do your Kegal exercises and choose the method that will be right for you. God Bless, Uncle Dan