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Posted 1/13/2015 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
In a couple of weeks at most, I'll be calling the RALP team at BJC in St. Louis to schedule my surgery. The delay is due to the imminent arrival of our first grandchild, who will check in out in western Virginia sometime in the next 2 weeks.

My reasons for choosing surgery over Brachy are the usual ones. Fundamentally, I want the thing gone. I'm not sure how I'd do emotionally with the long delay for results with Brachy. Also, there is extensive family history of PC, and knowing for sure that the margins are dealt with is another reason. I'm G6, with 3 of 12 cores positive, with the most extensive at 20%. With clean bone and cat scans, my stats are great.

I'll keep the crew here posted as things move along. I'm past the first phase of dealing with this monster. The next phase ends in the OR. I've learned a lot from you guys (and ladies) already, and I know I'll learn more. I hope my experience can benefit the next newbie who checks in.
Posted 1/13/2015 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on making your decision halbert, I wish you well. Also a big congratulations on your new grandchild, how exciting is that!
Posted 1/13/2015 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Halbert, congrats on clearing the smoke and getting some clarity that comes with due dilligence, good luck with phase 2
Posted 1/13/2015 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Good to hear you're settled on your decision. Congrats on your grand baby. I've got a 4 yr old granddaughter .. Had I known how much fun they are I would have had them first!
Posted 1/13/2015 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations, making the decision is the most difficult part of the process.

Keep us updated on your progress and the upcoming birth.

Andrew
Posted 1/13/2015 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on making your decision. It was a great relief for me when I made my decision and the set the date for surgery.

Now take the coming weeks to prepare your body for surgery. Watch your diet, loose a few lbs. if you need to, exercise like you are preparing for a heavy weight fight because you will be and start learning how to do Kegels. They will be your friend in weeks following your surgery.
You will be walking a lot after surgery so you might as well get started now so it becomes part of your routine. I love to walk 3 miles a day now, even 2 1/2 years after my surgery.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 1/13/2015 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you! You'll do fine. I was on the golf course three weeks after surgery.
Bob
Posted 1/13/2015 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Halbert,

You are taking the first step to the other side. My situation is almost exactingly the same as mine. Please make sure you pick the best and most experienced roboticly assisted doctor you can. Huge factor in outcome. My info and decision rationale below. All the Very Best to You and Yours, scientificlifestyle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Progress report at surgery +24 days. I am using 1 heavy pad a day and almost ready to switch to thin pad. No leakage so far today! Although since I went to mass yesterday, this has been a lazy reading, computer, football on TV kind of day. Need to go for a walk. Almost no abdominal pain. Abs feel stronger. Back to work on Thursday, probably working from home for a bit. ED as yet unknown, but encouraging signs. I am on generic Viagra 20mg/day.

Strong Family History of PC
Younger brother: PC at age 45 T2, PSA=2.95, + DRE > open Prost, doing fine now
Father: PC T4, age 55, PSA=20, Met to Lymph Nodes and Bones, Hormone, Rad, passed at age 64
GrandFather, Great Uncles all died of PC at age 62-64
Me: Year of Birth 1959
Diagnosed Oct 2014, Negative DRE, PSA=1, no symptoms, T1c
Biopsy shows 4 of 14 cores(with fragmentation) Adenacarcinoma 5mm, 2mm, 1mm max all G6(3+3)
Preemptive Biopsy due to Family History and age=55

Scheduled RALP 18 Dec with Dr. A. Martinez


Post surgery Pathology:
One positive margin, but additional tissue taken with no cancer in that area.
PNI inside capsule, no extra capsule cancer found
5% of post surgical prostate examined has G6 (3+3), No Upgrading!! Post surgery T2c
Stress and a bit of urgency UI, but only 1-2 spirts and the rest just drops. Almost completely dry at Surgery +24 days.
Willy works - partial erection yesterday with daily 20mg Viagra, those nerves are still there and working even this early!
Posted 1/13/2015 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Doooh!! Should read Your situation is almost exactly the same as mine! I have a low level of dyslexia that pops up at the wrong times...... Best Regards, scilife
Posted 1/13/2015 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Keep us updated on your progress.

Keep the faith...

David
Posted 1/13/2015 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Halbert,
Get this dastardly cancer behind you and love that grandkid for many, many many years!!! They are the reason we let our offspring survive their teens. You are gonna love bein grandpa!
Beth n Gary
Posted 1/13/2015 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Now, could someone tell me how you get your signature box bigger than 400 characters? For everyone's info, I have every intention of dying of old age 35 years from now.
Posted 1/13/2015 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Best of luck Halbert. As it's been said, the decision on which course of treatment can be the toughest part of the journey. Be well.
Posted 1/13/2015 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck. Big Mac had some great words. You should do great!
Posted 1/13/2015 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Halbert,
As far as posting your signature with more than 400 characters, copy and paste them.

I don't read the long ones any way, too much info for me.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 1/13/2015 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Barnes Hospital had a great reputation even when I left town for east coast back in 1971.

Depending on how far east you are in Illinois, another reason to do surgery rather than radiaiton would be the daily commute.

As others have said, toughest part is making the decision.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

LupronJim
Posted 1/13/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'm about a 2 hr drive to St Louis.

BJC is the first hospital in the area to install DaVinci, back in 2006. They've done several thousand RALP's since. BJC is on the USNews list of top 10 cancer hospitals. It doesn't get much better than that.

You guys are right.....I'm feeling a LOT more sane than just a week ago. I'm meeting with the local URO on Thursday to share my treatment plan and discuss the next steps after surgery.
Posted 1/14/2015 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Great, that's a big hurdle to clear. Big Mac's advice on prepping for a fight is really good advice. Do everything you can to boost your health and have a much sex as you can stand and then have some more.

Best of luck!

Pat
Posted 1/15/2015 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Today I met with a PA at my local URO office to discuss my treatment decision and future plans. They are going to manage my follow up care.

A few things I was told to ask the surgical team at BJC:
Ask them to send an order for catheter removal to the local URO to avoid delays on the day. Also, ask them to note on the order if a cystogram (apparently a test to make sure the urethra is fully sealed before the catheter comes out?) is required (new one on me, anyone ever hear of it?)
Make sure the surgery report and path report go there.

Then, I have to look forward to PSA and exam every 3 months for 2 years, then annual after that.

I understand that I am highly fortunate to have a local URO who is willing to do follow up care for a remote surgery.
Posted 1/15/2015 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Halbert, I may have missed it but is your surgery scheduled? What's the date?
I'm rooting for you
Posted 1/15/2015 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Prat, I've made the decision, but no schedule yet. My daughter is due with a baby in the next few days...we heard yesterday that if she doesn't do it on her own by next wednesday they'll induce...after the baby comes and we have our visit to see her and the baby in Virginia, then I'll call to schedule. I'm figuring around the end of February is most likely.
Posted 1/15/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Got it. I thought that was the case, but was surprised you had a meeting with the follow up Uro's PA so soon, so I thought I might have missed something
Posted 1/15/2015 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I understand, I'm just getting my ducks lined up.
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