Another newbie

I'll add my welcome, also. 

My approach to this was to place complete confidence in the specialist/Urologist/surgeon my primary care physician recommended - and he told me if he had to deal with prostate cancer he'd go to the same Urologist and take his advice. 

After my biopsy disclosed the presence of the cancer the Urologist recommended the da Vinci method of surgery to remove it, because of my age, my otherwide good health and the results of the biopsy, and after a few questions I made the decision on the spot to move in that direction (removal via da Vinci). 

The Urologist recommended surgery at 6-weeks after the biopsy but I developed a sepsis infection after the biopsy and wanted to be healthy for the surgery - so I pushed back the surgical date to about 2.5 months after diagnosis. 

My preference was/is to take care of medical problems as quickly as possible and move-on with my life.  I didn't go for a second opinion nor did I undergo MRI, CT or other testing - I have confidence in the Urologist and in my hospital.  My Urologist performs about 15 of the da Vinci procedures monthly and I searched the www and found this excellent forum and I read the information here and at scores of other websites that discuss the various forms of treatment - and I was convinced further I'd made the right decision for my personal situation.

My primary care physician reviewed the biopsy report, discussed it with the Urologist, and concurred with the course of treatment recommended.  I don't believe the Urologist steered me to removal (and removal via da Vinci) because it was his preferred procedure, but because, in his educated and experienced judgement, it was the best course of action for me.

As for post-treatment complications:  they exist in one form or another for each of the treatment options, from what I understand.  I can live with the temporary (hopefully!) incontenence issues, and the potential ED issue (which early indications are I may not have to face long-term) is a non-issue for me - because a longer and overall healthier life is what's most important to me.

Odd as it may seem, my primary care physician greeted me after the biopsy with the comment "It's a good day, not a bad one."  He explained his remarks by saying the cancer was there in my body and through yearly testing it was diagnosed / discovered early, early enough that it hadn't spread and early enough to deal with effectively so that my life would not be further threatened.  I've adopted his "It's a good day" philosophy, don't dwell on the now-removed cancer, and I'm steadily getting my life back in order and I'm back at work.

You've come to the right spot on the www to learn more about the choices ahead, and what the likely results of that choice will be.

pcdave,

Thank you for your input. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my wife and I are scheduled to meet next week with another local doctor who's specialty is radiation treatment. His office staff told me to set aside 1 and 1/2 hours for the appointment, so I suspect he will be thorough. I am looking forward to hearing the other side of the treatment coin from an MD as my urologist left no doubt about his recommendation. In fairness to my urologist, however, his preference for surgery has been echoed by an oncologist with whom I consulted, as well as by a well respected specialist at UCSF, although the last of these doctors did say that both forms of treatment are viable and that I am a good candidate for either.

The percentage of my two positive specimens that were cancerous was the same for each - 20%. Now if I can remember how to modify my signature, I will add that information there.

Thank you.

Golf, you have just encountered the best and the worst part of this disease experience: too much information and too many opinions. However, every one of these posts is worth reading and pondering TWICE.

You and i are part of the same club. I also just got diagonosed 2 weeks ago. My doctor sent me in for two additional tets. Yesterday, I had bone scan. And next week I will have transrectal MRI. The bone scan was a breeze. But the MRI sounds a bit more complicated. Then, he wants me to have a conversation with a radiological oncologist. He has coninued to give me information. My urologist's recmmendations are similar to what some posts here have suggested: breathe and consider ALL of your options. It would be so much easier if there was an instant answer...but it doesn't work that way.

I do understand the need to speed up and make a decision and get it fixed along with the emotional roller coaster and the gross-out point of the needle biopsy. I also completely understand insurance limitations.

I am not going to give you anymore advice...you've gotten plenty here, and either your head is spinning, or you have begun to ignore it. i just encourage you to do what feels right AFTER getting a lot of information (I guess i am giving a suggestion). You've stumbled on a great info/support site with folks who have a lot of experience (and opinions), and others who are in the same boat as you (new to the journey).

Three things to consider doing (darn...broke my rule of no advice again): go talk to your doctor and share with him the various things you have heard here. Is he really pushing you to do this immediately? 2)Follow up with UCSF contact and just sit and talk to another specialist. 3) Consider the real expense of the insurance. Unless the co-pay is something ridiculous and astronomical, consider paying it again. True, I don't know your finances, but I do know you don't get a lot of chances to get this right. I wish you the best in making a terribly hard decision.