Peace & Hope after Diagnosis

Unfortunately, I am a new member to this group.  I feel extremely blessed to have found this resource for my insuing battle.  I will start with my stats.

Father and Grandfather diagnosed and treated with RP successfully.  Dad is 10 years clear!!

Age: 36

Dx: 4/28/11

PSA:  4/06/10  3.8 and negative DRE, placed on antibiotics for 2 weeks

         5/10/10  2.6

         7/05/10  3.3

Biopsy:  7/26/10  12 cores, 1 with high grade PIN

PSA:  1/31/11  5.1

MR Spectroscopy @ MD Anderson:  Nothing to mention

PSA:  3/25/11  10.8

Biopsy:  4/18/11  24 cores, 1 positive w/ 1.0 mm focus Gleason 6 (3+3)

Bone Scan and CT:  5/03/11  both negative (did see large kidney stone, but I can deal with that)

My urologist referred me to a surgeon in his practice that I met with yesterday.  I had been having a pretty hard week to that point.  After meeting with him, my mind has been put to some ease.  I had been feeling like I would need to make a decision rather quickly and schedule treatment within the next couple of months.  I came out feeling like I can breathe for the first time in a few weeks.  He also encouraged me to look into all treatments and that whatever I choose would be the right one for me.  I am extremely torn as to what treatment to take.  Of course my wife keeps saying, "Do what will keep you here for our family the longest!"  I honestly feel that way, but can't help to think of the possible side effects.  At 36, I have a long life to live and want to ensure the best quality of life during that period.  I have to add that my wife has been so wonderful.  She typically worries (as most women do) more than I do and has had a hard time since all of this began last year.  She has come on strong as of late and I can say that our relationship is stronger than ever before.

The main point of my post is that we all have been faced with challenges and some have had more difficulties through the process than others.  I believe that a positive mind set, is imperative to beating this.  I have come to this board for education, first hand experiences, encouragement, and support.  It has certainly exceeded all of my expectations.  I am looking forward to reading and sharing with many of you for years to come.

Lastly, I reside in Austin, TX and would like any suggestions for any doctors specializing in treatment of all forms in the area or in Texas.  The surgeon I spoke to yesterday worked under Dr. F.A.G.I.N who has recently retired from medicine and has limited experience (less than 175 procedures) in RALRP.  He also has experience with HIFU.

For those of you have posted previously, thank you for your time and insight.  For those of you with positive outcomes to date, Congratulations!  For those with many challenges or reoccurences, my heavy heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

If you are considering surgery, don't make a decision until you have consulted with Dr. Naveen Kella in San Antonio. Other high-volume robotic surgeons are Kevin Slawin in Houston and Justin Lee in Dallas(Arlington). All have done 1000 or more robotic prostatectomies. Slawin also has 1000+ open prostatectomies. Google them for more info. Also check Slawin's publications on PubMed. Good Luck.

It sounds like you made it over the first big hurdle. Coming to grips with the fact that you have cancer, and that it's not as bad as what your first visions are when the doctor tells you. Having a father who has survived 10 years is a help.

We all remember that moment when the doctor told us. The room kind of goes silent and you don't hear much else of what he said afterward.

Fortunately with your biopsy results, you have all the options before you, and they are all good. There is some debate about non- surgical treatment at a young age, and the possibility of the return of the PC to what remains of the prostate. There is also evidence that younger men recover better from the side effects than older men. But, at 36, you are taking a little gamble that you will overcome the incontinence and Ed. But it may be a good one.

Good luck to you and welcome to HW. You will find many friends here.

welcome Aggie. Now I feel like one of the old guys! I'm also a former TEXAN!! yea haw!

So, my initial reaction after reading your stats was the PSA 2 months after your first biopsy might have been affected by the healing prostate. Did you Dr. mention this to you? I had a PSA 6 weeks after my biopsy and my Uro said it was all but useless due to the the healing of the prostate from 12 puncture wounds. Might be worth an ask.

Also, you certainly appear to be at the early stage with a small percentage of 1 of 24 cores found positive with a Gleason 6. So you've definitely caught it early.

Lastly, I can certainly relate to your dilema about treatment methods. The only thing I can say is do a LOT of research about your choices, speak to a lot of Dr's and patients about their stories. I agree about quality of life and finding a solution that has a high success rate with the least amount of side effects. I'm looking at all options at the moment - robotic, IMRT, seeds and proton therapy. I'm sure I'll find the solution that's right for me, and I hope you do as well.

stay strong, hug your wife and family and live each day to the fullest.

in good health,

Brian

Welcome to both you new guys. Glad you found your way here to our community, you will both fit in fine.

I am still stunned, PC at 36 years of age. Geez.

Please keep with us, and keep us updated, and ask any and all questions. We pretty well cover with experience, all forms of treatments, side effects, problems, etc. No such thing as a dumb question.

David in SC