RALP is scheduled

As you'll see from the signature below and perhaps recall from previous posts, I have been moving reluctantly away from AS and toward definitive treatment for nearly a year. I have now scheduled RALP for Dec. 14 but I'm also making a few last further inquiries. I plan to have one more PSA reading, for instance, and I'm also set for a consultation with Dr. Scholz just to be sure I've not missed some important final reason to rethink things. Perhaps some of you who read this will, as in the past, have other useful ideas?

I have a small prostate, 2 prior TURPS, pretty poor urinary function, lots of G 3+3 and now a confirmed G3+4 focal lesion plus some suspicious ECE (40-60% estimated probability).

My age would normally dictate RT but my reading of the research, especially as relates to those prior TURPs, seems to suggest higher prospects for ongoing GU difficulties. Also, I am in quite good health (MSKCC longevity nomograms are encouraging) so should be able to handle RP.

I worry, of course, about the possibility of positive margins and subsequent salvage RT which would compound SE's. My MpMRI images should be helpful in planing the surgery, however, so I'm hoping to avoid that.

My upcoming consult with Dr. Scholz may suggest another alternative, SBRT at UCLA, perhaps, and I'd be willing to switch to such a strategy even though my strong preference is to stay here in Eugene, Oregon, where I'm at home with all regular supports in place.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts by others on this forum. You've all been excellent help throughout my journey!

Whippoorwill

Thanks Andrew! And thanks for your poetry posts, too!

Whippoorwill