zufus, you asked if we regreted multiple opinions. Well, yes and no.
1. VA doctor. My husband started with the VA. He's a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran. Anyway, he had the biopsy at the VA. The Dr. there suggested brachytherapy at the Seattle VA. Not a good option because of the distance and my husband's MS fatigue issue.
2. Private urologist. He suggested my husband have conventional surgery (forgot the medical term). On exam, he thought my husband had another spot on the other side of the prostate that was irregular. We decided to talk to another specialist and find out about other therapies.
3. Went to Oregon Urology Clinic in Eugene, OR. The first Dr. was a surgeon specializing in the DiVinci method. He suggested that my husband wouldn't be a good candidate because of his MS. He said with surgery you have to learn how to use other muscles to urinate and if my husband's are already weakened because of MS, he would end up being incontinent.
4. The DiVinci surgeon referred us to a Oncologist in the same clinic. He agreed with the surgeon and suggested the 8 week course of external beam radiation.
5. The Oncoligist referred us to a Dr. at the same clinic that specializes in the radiation therapy. He agreed that surgery wasn't a viable option and told us about the 8 week therapy in Eugene. This clinic is 3 hours away and my husband didn't want to "live" in Eugene for 8 weeks. His body is in a very uncomfortable state anyway because of his MS and home is the most comfortable place for him to be.
He asked about brachytherapy and the Dr. said they don't do that in Eugene.
6. The radiation Doctor (what do they call them anyway?) referred us to a doctor at Oregon Health Sciences for the brachytherapy and that's where we ended up. The doctors at Oregon Health Sciences in Portland gave us all the information and side effects. (there were two doctors.) The worst seems to be a closing of the uretha because of swelling. The swelling will eventually go down though.
Now, back to your question. If we had gone with the first VA doctor the brachytherapy would probably be done by now so no, all these other opinions weren't needed but hindsight is always "crystal clear" isn't it.
The second Doctor, had we listened to him my husband could very well be sitting in the chair incontinent right now because of surgery. Not a good outcome for a man already battling with Multiple Sclerosis.
So yes, we're glad we went the extra mile. We really pressed on because of all I was reading on this message board and I'm so thankful I found you. Everyone here said "TAKE YOUR TIME" and explore every option. Prostate cancer is slow growing so all you guys have time. It was funny, the doctor in Portland said "you guys seem to be knowledgeable so I guess I'm not needed." The internet really gives us power.
I hope I haven't posted the book no one wants to read but if it helps anyone then it's worth it. I'll keep posting my husband's progress because who knows, some guy with MS may come along and need this info.
The doctors at the Oregon Urology Clinic were expecially helpful. In fact, the last one we saw has called us three times to follow up. Unreal. Now if my husband could just find a good neurologist. His guy now is Russian and a real arrogant jerk. Trouble is he's only one of two in our area and the other one is in the same office. The hassle of living in a small town. At least it's beautfiul here.