Going to battle

Age 53
PSA baseline 2.5 (2010-2011)
Mar 2012 - 3.4
Dec 2012 - 5.27
Jan 2013 - 5.69
biopsy Feb 2012
Gleason 3+4=7
Left (4/6 20%), Right (0/6)
Asymptomatic other than PSA, otherwise very healthy, only borderline cholesterol issue (10 mg Simvastatin)

Surgery scheduled for 4/4/13, open retropubic

Surgery will be at a VA hospital - very impressed with my care so far. My doc is the chief of Urology, a PhD, and chief of Residency program at Univ Texas Health SCience Center

Radio, Best of luck on the surgery. We will be looking for you on the other side.

Cajun Jeff

Rick, wishing you the speediest recovery and a successful surgery.
Jeff

Hey RadioRick
Welcome to HealingWell. It will be difficult, but try to get some rest tonight.

We'll be here when you wake up after surgery tomorrow.

Don't be surprised if your 5/8 wave, VHF antenna only receives UHF when you wake up. At least it beats a stubby microwave unit.

73
Jeff

Good luck with tomorrow's surgery. I will pray that things go well for you and that your recovery is quick and effortless.

Zimac

RadioRick,

Best of luck tomorrow and best wishes for a speedy recovery! Positive thoughts from Colorado.

Hi RadioRick,

Wishing the very best for you tomorrow. When you wake up on the other side, you should be cancer free and will be starting a recovery that leads to a long, long, long life ahead.

See you on the other side,
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & slowly getting a bit stronger.

RadioRick

Welcome and good luck!

Pat

Good luck Rick, keep us posted. Recover well !

Radio Rick - wishing you all the best - good surgery - good path report - steady and boring recovery - take care,
Bronson

Welcome to the other side Radio Rick!
Glad everything went well. Sounds like you turned it over to God. Good move! Now start your walking and water routine and prepare for your first BM!
Good luck with the path report.

Bill

Day 4 postop - feeling pretty good. No pain meds today yet, I've found putting an icepack (one of the flexible ones that doesn't totally freeze) across my lower abdomen while sitting, almost immediately reduces the "stinging" from too much movement. Have slept really well the last 2 nites after bad preop nite (4 hrs) and night in hospital (about the same, but many more interruptions). Overnite collection bag has been about 2L - does that sound right? Color is good and have noticed no blood or clots of any kind. 1st BM was difficult with gas buildup, but managed it 2 days ago, yesterday was easier, and had a much better one today. Feeling good!

-Rick

Great to hear things are going so well Rick, good for you and keep er' going!