New here, scheduled for surgery

Hello everyone, As many of you, I've been going through my own experience, thoughts and emotions after being diagnosed with PCA. Talking to my Family, Family physician, Urologist, RAD ONC, other friends and co-workers that have been diagniosed, researching PCA and reading posts on this forum. I have read many inspirational and informative posts here on HealingWell that I very much appreciate everyone sharing. The suggestion to pick up Dr. Patrick Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" was also a great benefit to help uderstand PCA, the treatments available and what to expect from each. Since learning that I too had PCA it was the last bit of news I expected and felt like someone dropped a bomb on me. After talking to others that have gone thorough the same diagnoses, speaking at length with my wife, Family physician, Urologist, Family and friends, I decided to have surgery on 10/4/11 (RALP). As the date gets closer like many others I am getting a little anxious thinking about how the surgery will turn out, walking around with the catheter for a week as well as how the incontinence and ED will be after surgery. I am having surgery at one of the best known Clinic's in the world and have faith my surgeon and his team will do the best that can be done to help cure me and get back on my feet. I do want to say since being diagnosed I have read there are more younger men being diagnosed and this is not an "Old Man's Disease" only. Also PSA is not the whole story when getting diagnosed, my results have always been low and without the addition of a DRE my PCA would not have been discovered. BOTH tests are very important to have done. Thank goodness I have been going for a physical every year for the past 20 years and my family physician has been so proactive in testing early. Since learning I too had PCA I have been trying to talk to others about the benefits of getting screened early. I am ready to get on to the next chapter, enjoy life, and put this behind me.      AGE 50 no family history of PC PSA 0.57 8/06 0.8 10/08 0.57 3/10 0.78 5/16 5/16 Yearly Physical DRE suspicious lump RT. side 5/18 Urologist DRE Pos for lump RT. Side BX 6/9/11 - 10 core diag. Atypical cells found in 1 core LT. side BX 7/19/11 - 22 core Template BX, diag. 1 core RT. Side 20% GS6 (3+3) RALP scheduled for 10/4/11

I love your attitude. To me, attitude is so important. I commend you on your diligence about early screening and agree with you that it is not an "Old Man's" disease. I was diagnosed in April. I am 36. Unlike you, I have a strong family history and am very thankful that my dad's urologist strongly suggested that my brother and I start getting checked at 35. I had my surgery 9/8. Like you, I was very anxious and ready to get on with it. I have to say, it has not been all that bad at all. I was in the hospital for less than 24 hrs. Could not have asked for a better surgeon, staff, or facility! Sore, some CO2 gas pain in my shoulder that was managed by Tylenol (I only took 1 pain med at home). Yes the cath is a pain, but it goes by quicker than you can imagine. Incontinence and ED have been frustrating to me, but I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out. My wife and doc keep telling me to be patient and encouraging me to take it easy and heal. I believe you will do great and the relief is beyond belief.

Keep the attitude positive,

Aggie

AGE 36
Father and Grandfather both successfully treated for PSA
04/10 PSA 3.8 normal DRE
07/10 PSA 3.3 after 30 days of Cipro
07/10 Biopsy 12 cores - 1 core with high grade PIN
01/11 PSA 5.1
03/11 PSA 10.8
04/11 Biopsy 24 cores - 1 core with GS 6

09/11 RALP UTSW in Dallas
Pathology report: 34 grams <5% cancerous GS6, negative margins
Doc wrote in email "Definitely a cure!"

Thank you for your replies, I will definitely check out the stickies Jazzman. I see you had your surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. My wife and I are from Clevelend and moved to Florida 22 years ago. I'm having my RALP done at Mayo Clinic both are always considered to be one of the best places to be treated.

Thank you for your support you all have a very positive attitudes and I have kept mine going by reading about all the positive outcomes here on the forum. After researching I have heard from the specialists and other patients that were treated age is very important in your decision for a treatment choice. It was recommended to have the surgery when younger to help get through the healing, have the best chance for a cure and get through the incontinence and ED. The other options, Waiting or Radiation were not recommended because of being younger. Of course this is my decision based on going through the diagnoses and experience, it could be different for others.

Having a supportive wife, family and friends has been a blessing. I will join you guys on the otherside of surgery and let you know how things are going.

Welcome to the forum, I agree that it sounds like you have a great attitude. I'm going to bet that when the surgery is done, you'll think - "hey, that wasn't bad at all!"

The catheter is an experience all right, but really just an inconvenience. And on the plus side it is sooooo great to get it out and be "untethered" again.

Wish you all the best and hope you check in often and particularly when you're "on the other side" of the procedure.

I heartily recommend the Really Useful List Made by HW People for HW People. It can be hard to find (took me a while), but it's, as they say, really useful:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1717641

Post Edited (Jazzman1) : 9/26/2011 7:13:03 PM (GMT-6)

I don't know why the link isn't working, but paste the following phrase into the search engine and you'll find it:

"Really Useful List Made by HW People for HW People"


P.S. to moderators: This would be a good one to make a stand-alone sticky. It's a must-read prior to surgery.

Great information on the "Really Useful List Made by HW People for HW People" post. The amount if information shared here is outstanding. I will make sure to update and post on the forum before and after the surgery.

 

Welcome to HW. Excellent attitude and approach to what I hope will just be a little bump in the road to a long, healthy life without a prostate. Like you, I'm 50 and had no family history of PCa. Because of my age and stats, surgery was the only decision for me and I do not regret it for a single minute. I'm now eight weeks post op and haven't felt this good in several years. My energy level has improved dramatically. Incontinence and ED have not been a major issue for me. When I looked back, I have to say so far it has been just a little bump in the road.

I wish you all the best and keep us posted. Based on your attitude, stats and support you are positioned well. See you on the other side and at the zero club.

I also live in Florida and I chose seeds, but if I would have had surgery I would have had it done at the Mayo. Dr. Wehle was recommended to me by another doctor that works at the Mayo, but Dr. Igel is the department head and I don't thing you could go wrong with either doctor. My wife and I were impressed with the Mayo when I had my appointments there. Best of luck to you.

I really enjoyed reading your journey through the decision making process Gleason 6. Good to hear you had a great experience at Mayo Clinic. I feel they have a great staff of physicians in all departments. The physicians in the Urology department are all caring and there for the patient. I really enjoy the team approach. At no time was I pressured in deciding on one treatment or another, I was asked if I wanted to see anyone else for a second opinion and even recommended that option to help me make a decision.

I've seen Dr. Wehle in the past for another type of appointment and was scheduled with Dr. Thiel for the prostate exam, BX's and now surgery. Dr. Thiel went through his residency, fellowship, was trained at Mayo and his special interest is Robotic surgeries. I really enjoy his bed side manor and being upfront with his explanations of how he will proceed and what to expect.

 

Welcome and sorry you have to be here. Thanks for sharing your story and please keep us updated.

be well brother..






















be well brother....

Welcome to HW, wishing you all the best for your pending surgery, the catheter is a pain, but the time goes quick, keep us informed, and good luck.

Mal.

Two days until surgery on Tuesday 10/4/2011. Monday 10/3/2011 will be prep day, no food past noon, start antibiotics, liquid diet only and colon cleansing. So far I feel as prepared as I can get before having my prostate and PCa removed. I've tried to get some relaxation completed by getting all yardwork out of the way and any projects around the house the past few weeks, walking, playing poker and online gaming with friends, catching some College and Pro football this weekend and talking to family and friends. 

Thanks again to everyone on the forum for your support, sharing your thoughts and experiences. I also want to mention having a stabilizing, loving and supportive wife has been the best medicine I could ask for through my journey. I'll update my journey when I'm able to get back online after surgery.