Hello from a new kid in the Club

Hello,

I am 44 years young, diagnosed with PCa. My PSA was slowly rising from 2.8 in 2008 to 3.8 in 2010 to 5.5 in July 2011. Thats when my primary care physician referred me to Urologist. My biopsy was done on 10/10/2011, came positive with gleason 3+3 and 9 out of 12 cores positive, stage T2C.

We are still in shock but now over with "why me" phase. I met the urologist who recommended surgery. His group has performed over 400 robotic prostatectomy. I met an Oncologist for second opinion who also suggested that surgery is a better option for me. I am scheduled for RRP on 12/5/2011.

I am waiting result of my CT and bone scan.

I don't have any question as of now. Just want to say a big hello and best wishes to all brothers in the frat.

 

Welcome, although we hate to have you here.

I'm a bit surprised your oncologist didn't mention seeds given your relatively low Gleason and PSA. I would also wonder about a "group" count of 400 surgeries. The real question is how many has the guy who will be "driving the knife for you" done?

I feel strange to be questioning your doctors, but the advice that you are getting just doesn't match what seem to be the norms reported on this board.

Read as much as you can (see the topics at the top of the list.) You have a lot of life to be affected by your choices.

Thanks to all.

I am in confusion if I should have my surgery done by a doctor who has done 400 RRP. The group I am seeing is two urologist-oncologist and both will be at the surgrey. Or I MUST go to research place like Johns Hopkins- an hour drive from place?

Welcome.  Like the rest of the guys we all  wish you weren't becoming one of us.

PC is very serious but catching it as soon as you did as well as researching all the options is a good step.

Hopefully you and if you have a better half have reviewed all the information you can find and discussed both the options and potential results.

The knife, which I had before the robotics became common, so far as solved the PC problem.  It also gives you options which you may not have if you used Radiation, Chemo or etc.  

Good Luck and our Prayers and thoughts are with you and yours.

Tom of West Ohio.

Welcome Yessdee. Just a suggestion.... you call Johns Hopkins and make an appointment for a second opinion since you have time before your scheduled surgery. See what they have to say.

Like others have suggested, read as much as you can on all your options. Wishing you the best possible outcome.

My opinion: yes, it is worth driving an hour to go to Hopkins.

Yessdee,

Sorry that you need to be at HW, but it is a good place as a resource and support. I was a GS 3+3 at biopsy with 9 of 12 cores positive. As you can see from my signature, I had DaVinci surgery on 8/1/11 and I'm doing great. My path report was about as good as you can get but my GS came in a couple of levels higher at 4+3 which will not mean much if no PCa cells decided to leave the "nest". Your young and seem to have caught it early based on your stats (do you know the % tumor involvement of the cores and presence of perinural invasion?). No reason to think you can't beat it. A couple of books that I found useful were Dr Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer and Dr Peter Scardino's Prostate Book. You have choices of treatments.

My recommendation would be to get the best experienced doctor for your selected treatment with the latest PROVEN technology. Good luck in your journey and keep us posted.

I'm new here too. ( and similar stats... 42 yrs old. Surgery, T2a, G9 and/but have clear margins and nodes. Yeah!).
I'm still a little confused about everything so I won't offer any advice. One thing I have noticed is that the things I spent alot of time worrying about in the beginning seem trivial now. Kind of funny how things in life can change so quick. So when you hear to read and gather as much information as you can and don't worry too much, it isn't a bad idea.
All the best... I'll be following your progress.

Amize, thanks for the offer... I might take you up on it sometime.
Darrell

Thanks to everyone. This forum has been so helpful and supportive.

I am getting ready for RRP on Monday 12/5. I will keep you guys posted how it goes.

Best wishes.

No more advice than what's been said already. Just wanted to add my best wishes for a successful surgery, and a quick recovery.

Rich

Also echo the thoughts above..I too, am a new member, and 45 years old. It's been a little over a couple of weeks since my diagnosis, and am still waiting on the results of the 2nd opinion biopsy from Bostwick. I've went through all the usual emotions, and still have a bad day from time to time.

I'm still weighing treatment, but am at about 90% decided on the brachytherapy (seeds) route. My doc said that you most likely will 2nd guess whatever treatment option you take. For me, the SE's are more manageable than the surgery thoughts.

Hope you do well. Please keep us posted on your results.