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Posted 2/12/2015 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
I appreciate the advice from all. There's lots of wisdom in this forum, and I'm glad that I found it.
Side effects are a big concern for me, and AS has not been ruled out. Interesting thing is that the team at JHU considered me a non-candidate for AS. Next week I have an appointment with the urologist that did my biopsy. He has also referred me to a radiation oncologist. I'll see what he says and compare to the radiation oncologist at JHU.

Michael_T - The urologist who did my biopsy hasn't indicated that surgery would be more effective for me than brachytherapy. He has referred me to a radiation oncologist for a consultation. The urologist indicated that either way should be equally effective. The PC multidisciplinary team at JHU (urologic surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist, etc) indicated surgery and radiation would be equally effective in my case.

John_TX - Got the Dr. Epstein review. Really glad that he didn't change the G6 to anything higher.

PeterDisAbelard - Count me in as not knowing that "whelmed" and "overwhelmed" had the same meaning. The advice here is helping me feel less "whelmed" than before.

AYooper - I'll order the two books you suggested. Great questions that I will ask of the doctors. Also, I would be most appreciative if you shared the study. I will email. Thanks.

Tall Allen - I'm definitely still in shock. The thing is, physically I feel great (i.e. for a 52 year old). I believe that adds to the shock.

Casper555 - I read your thread and it's great that your recovery is going well. BTW, I'll even take an inline 6 at G6 if it buys me some time to decide on which direction to take. :-)

Post Edited (WindsorV8) : 2/12/2015 5:53:07 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/12/2015 4:26 AM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...
Sotry you have to be here Windsor, good advixe above.
Billy Bob's comments were good one thing he said was "assuming you are really a G6". The operative word is assuming. Most guys here are more experienced and smarter than me so please don't take this as advice take it as just food for thought

My biopsy was a G6 and I chose surgery for a number of reasons most of which were specific to my case and my personality. But one reason was that I was aware that in proximately 30% of cases, the GLeason score is upgraded after surgery. As it turned out I was upgraded to g73+4. Not so terrible but I'm glad I did what I did. To be fair to 30% of cases are upgraded which means 70% of cases or not so you may well be well served by choosing active surveillance, at least for now

As I said just some food for thought

Exactly, Prato, thx for pointing all of that out. But really, seems to me, we all have to assume based on the info we have. If you are sitting there before a rising PSA and Bx, you pretty much figure you probably have to assume you don't have PC until there is some reason to worry otherwise. Once you have a Bx and G6, that's all the info you have on which to base decisions. True, it is possible a G9 is hiding in there, missed by the Bx, just like it was possible you had G9 before you ever knew what a G9 was, back in the day. A G9 COULD have been cooking in there for a year or 3, and you never knew it. Or, it is possible that you have only a G5. People also get downgraded. But G6 is what you have to work with for now, so I would just use that to make my decisions on, especially if there is low volume(there is) and the DRE is not bad(was it?), and no rapidly rising PSA(yours is actually DROPPING without treatment, don't see that much). If it was me, that would all add up to an assumption that I probably have a non-agressive cancer and plenty of time to figure this mess out for the correct choice, which might even include only keeping a real close watch. DO NOT RUSH IT!
Posted 2/12/2015 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
BillyBob,
No problems found with the DRE.
Posted 2/12/2015 9:12 AM (GMT 0)

WindsorV8 said...
Casper555 - I read your thread and it's great that your recovery is going well. BTW, I'll even take an inline 6 at G6 if it buys me some time to decide on which direction to take :)


In my opinion a straight 6 will always give you a much smoother ride. Less maintenance that is for sure yeah
Posted 2/12/2015 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
I join with others in welcoming you to the site and glad you are here reaching out. We almost sound like twins with our diagnosis. Mine was found the exact same way and I was in total shock and overwhelmed as well. I took a couple of months to research, talk with doctors and finally made a decision that was right for me. You will come to a decision that is the right one for you and then you will not feel quiet so overwhelmed with it all. While I decided on surgery, I did so because of my family history (my dad and grandfather both had prostate cancer).

I wish you the best in making the right decision for you and I can only say that it does get better. I go in this next week for my 6 month post surgery check up and am looking for another 0.00 on my PSA.
Posted 2/12/2015 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
Windsor, again, welcome and take a deep breath (or several of them). You have plenty of time to make a decision. Consider this: the research does show that the single most important factor in a quality outcome is the skill and experience of the medical team you select. So, take your time to find the best team you can. There are plenty of comparative statistics out there for hospitals and treatments. Sometimes it's surprising where experts are found. That being said, at the least, go for one of the "top 10". The very best people are surprisingly accessible.

Speaking for myself, there is a tremendous level of sanity that returns on the drive home from the 'right' consultation appointment. I knew "THIS" was the guy I wanted. It's hard to explain, but it's real. Rest assured, no one in here will try to argue you out of your decision. Make it in your way, on your schedule, for your reasons.

Don't forget to breathe.
Posted 2/12/2015 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Nice post halbert. Very well put. Yes the drive back for me after meeting the guy that was going to carry out my treatment gave me the exact same feeling.
Posted 2/12/2015 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Windsor,
As others have said, too bad you find yourself here but welcome aboard. You will get a lot of good advice and guidance here.

You can see my stats below and I'm a bit older than you, and my numbers are lower than yours, but my UR strongly advised RP. I did a bunch of research, read a bunch on this site, and opted for AS. I've been on AS for over a year and you will see my numbers went way down after the biopsy and have been less than 1 ever since. I just had a PSA and will add the results next week after I meet with the doc.

Anyway, bottom line is, with your stats you have plenty of time and LOTS of options. I am a strong advocate for AS.

Be well.
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