Davinci Removal - No Regrets - lessons to share

Well, there was: "that was a rosey outcome but......" and "Or they decide on another treatment modality, that is every bit as successful as surgery, that doesn't risk impotence, and/or incontinence."

Both of those comments are reflective of a person's individual experience--but they also instantly discount the positive outcome that he had--a warning shot if you will. It's not uncommon on this forum for some to say things like, "If you have surgery, it's pretty much guaranteed that your sex life will be over" or to imply that the only logical treatment choice is radiation--and the only reason people have surgery is because they didn't dedicate themselves hard enough of long enough to the research process.

For many of us, surgery WAS a logical, thought out, well planned approach. And it has been pointed out previously--in at least one thread that was titled with a question about regrets--that the best marker for few or no treatment regrets has nothing to do with the modality of treatment, and everything to do with whether the patient, within himself, felt that he did as complete a due diligence as possible prior to treatment.

The patient who has surgery a few weeks after diagnosis with the urologist who diagnosed him is the prime candidate for treatment regret.

Buddy - No problem here with opinions, just think there is a better way to express opinions in a way that is more informative and helpful without crossing the line, that’s all.

The title of this thread is a bit misleading from a new poster and tends to look like a defense of the surgery position which prompts some of the pro and anti-surgery responses but it really was much more informative regarding his unique journey. We should see that and resist the temptation to go down that road but that is only my opinion, nothing more.

Geeeze guys lighten up. You all read way too much into simple posts. That is why I stopped coming on here as much. Take what helps you and leave what does not. Move on. There is nothing positive about dissecting every word looking for something to ***** about. Some people here have way too much time on their hands. A post based on one persons experience is not up for debate. It was their experience and their opinion, thats it. GTFOI and move on. Just my humble opinion!

I had RP over 6 years ago. The procedure was much more invasive than the DeVinci surgery that the OP had. Had the regular SE like incontinence and ED but the incontinence only lasted 2 months and my sex life, while not the same as before surgery, is actually better because of Cialis when required and a few other minor adjustments.
After surgery, 1 month of walking, then another month of cycling made me ready for a rigurous, 2 month cycling tour in Europe covering 3800 km and 36000m vertical, riding 85lb bikes with all of our gear. Took pads with me in case but the incontinence was finished by the time we started riding.
No regrets from my perspective. My only negative comment is based on the fact that some on this forum slag the surgery option even though they have never experienced the procedure leading to hard feelings that could turn off newly diagnosed members looking for options that would be the best for their own unique situation.

Good post No Regrets.

Dave

I had a RALP about 42 months ago. I didn't find this board (and other forums) until afterwards. I just trusted what I was told by my medical providers. When it came to treat my PCa RT didn't even come up in the conversation. It was straight to the OR. Was that a deficiency on part of my providers? Yeah, perhaps. Had I known more about RT and whatever advantages it offered over RALP at the time - I would have investigated further. But I trusted my doctors (urologists). I just wanted my cancer out. And I wanted to know how truly advanced it was. Plus, I happened to have one of the best RALP surgeons in the country. RALP seemed like the logical choice 42 months ago.

Okay. Looking into the rear view mirror I'm glad I had the RALP. I rolled the dice (as a T3a with close margins) and won (so far). 42 months after the fact I'm <.006 and it doesn't get much better than that. The #1 reason I wanted treatment was to cure the cancer. In the process I wanted to: a) remain continent (which I have) and b) avoid ED (which I haven't). So overall it's been a win. The fact that I get out of bed in the morning without worrying about secondary treatment is a big relief.

Now, would I have had the same or even a better result with RT? Who knows? I'd be speculating. The way I look at it is a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I won't look back.

Very difficult choice for those deciding on initial treatments. I don't envy you. Godspeed.

Slapshot Dave...
Beautiful pictures. Reminds me of family trips 45 years ago. Thanks!

A few nay-sayers on surgery forget that SEs are determined to a large degree by what the surgeon finds during the surgery. my own urologist warned me on this prior to the op - that his first concern was removing the cancer. I was ok with that, if you're not then yep, another treatment plan would be needed.

I had IMRT/IGRT, 26 days at a clinic 4 miles from home. Worked great, minimal SEs, low PSA since, no regreets.

still don't have x-ray vision, sigh ...

My experience isn't your experience. My doctor wasn't your doctor. My PC is my PC not your PC.

I like to encourage men to investigate all their options before choosing.
Peace, love and lemon drops,
Andrew

F8 said...

Pratoman said...
glad to see that changing even though change has been slow since the prostate snatcher (surgeon) is first point of contact and the guy overseeing initial treatment.

I did my research, I decided on surgery. Some on this forum will always claim our reasoning was flawed ...

Last comment (probably) on this topic from me:

I have found that this forum works best when we do these main things:
1. Talk the newly diagnosed down from the ledge
2. Encourage them to slow down and do their research
3. Share with them what we did and what happened and how it came out
4. Stand with them during and after their treatment whether or not they are pursuing 'our' preferred path

It works least well when we do these things:
1. Tell people what treatment to pursue at the exclusion of other options
2. Tell newbies that they are wrong/stupid (particularly those who don't find us until after they got treatment)
3. Let ourselves (the regulars) get into personality disputes with each other-there are some members here who seem to automatically get on my nerves-I'm sure that's true for most of us-I probably need to use 'ignore' more than I do
4. When we take some minor point in an OP and let it lead us down one rabbit hole or another

That's my thoughts on this OP and the ensuing discussion--at least some things that "I" try to remember--and am not always successful at.

Blackjack said...
My one and only input on this thread...the only problem I have with this type of early read-out is that it seems to convey the message that a couple weeks/months into the journey all the side effect issues are understood by the newbie. They generally are not. As one simple illustrative example, lot's of guys who had first-line radiation therapy express joy that they had no issues during treatment, and it's all done now...but nobody even told them about the likely late-term side effects that don't typically even start showing up until year-3, -4 or -5. But after 2-months, they wonder "why doesn't everyone have this treatment??"

yeah most everybody is happy with their decision at first. you have to wait for the pink cloud to dissipate and a little time to pass. i'm in year nine and most of my side effects were in the first couple of years and I have never been incontinent or unable to have sex with the aid of Cialis.

JNF said...
I always stress to find out everything about every possible treatment from the appropriate specialists before making a treatment decision. I seriously doubt that even a quarter of men do so.

Jack, a quarter is probably high.

The OP reported a success story. Why do so many insist on discounting it? Could it be that it challenges assumptions about what success should look like?

halbert said...
The OP reported a success story. Why do so many insist on discounting it? Could it be that it challenges assumptions about what success should look like?

unfortunately the six-month success story has to be taken with a grain of salt. all that is certain at this point is the OP has no regrets with his decision, and that's a good thing.

it's a starting point and I really applaud the guys who post month after month and year after year sharing the good, bad and the ugly. I think that's the real value of this forum.

another thing, a certain somebody keeps mentioning the other shoe to drop for radiation guys several years out and I just don't see the proof of that on this forum, and it has not been my experience. sounds like something out of prostate snatching 101. now that has no value if you can't back it up. ditto for penis growing back to pre-surgery lengths. first time I've heard that one