opting for surgery after AS

After much thought and discussion with physician,family and friends, I have chosen to come off active surveillance. I am scheduled for surgery on January 2,2014 (Happy New Year).

Some have said that I am a sucess story for Active Surveillance, that waiting until indications of progression is the whole point of AS, so as to not treat a likely indolent cancer. By that definition, they are correct and I am sure my case will make a paragraph in someone's study.

If, however, the objective is to cure, then the success of my case will only be determined in 15+years. I hope I am around to read those case studies ,and I am hopeful that will be the case.

be well...

Very best wishes, Dan0!  You'll be around for a lot more than 15 years...or at least let me put it this way; if you aren't around, it won't be due to PC. Stay well.

DanO

Good run and I hope you had good sex for those three years! Tough decision you're making, because you're on the bubble. Don't know your age, but that would be a key factor. Best of luck with your pathology.

Bob

Dan0,

While I'm sure it was a decision you hoped you never would have to make, I hope that now that you have made it, you feel confident that the surgeon you've elected to go with is the right choice for you. I chose a surgeon who amongst other positive factors, had an extremely low rate of Positive Surgical Margins (PSM). I wanted someone who I felt comfortable "could" potentially provide me with the best surgical outcome based upon the state of my prostate and his skills. I understood fully that win, lose or draw, he was the guy for me. Best wishes!

My surgeon told me that when things are empty from recent sex, it's actually easier for him to do the surgery. "You want us to keep having sex, right up to the night before the surgery? OK! If you insist!". My wife saying, "Ok, honey, it's time to prep you for surgery!" helped with some of the 'pre-game jitters' that we were both feeling.
We did our duty and I returned to work in 5 days. Felt fine. In less than a month, I felt fully recovered with no side effects. Do your duty, soldier!
Mikey

You're a great example of how AS should work. You deserve at least 3 paragraphs in that study. ;)

You'll do fine with the surgery.

Keep us updated on your progress,
Andrew