Already Glad I found this Forum

I was diagnosed yesterday October 15th with the dreaded PC. I had a gleason score of 6 and TC1 stage. I have been getting PSA test run for years but last month my first one came back with a 4.5 and after a month of CIPRO it fell to 3.9. I went for a biopsy which came back yesterday with the news.

It appears to me that most of you know more about you pathology report than I do. My Urologist only told me the above information. He did not say how many of the twelve samples came back cancerous or what regions they were located in. I guess I was just in too much shock of hearing the report to think to ask. Now that I am reading how each of you know more about your cancer than I, It appears that I should call him back and get more information.

I turned 55 last week, (nice birthday present) and I have already lost a father age 61 to lung cancer (smoker), a mother to Gall Bladder cancer age 67 (never smoked) a brother age 52 to oral cancer (smoker) a sister to breast cancer age 48 (smoker) and another sister age 61 to cancer (non smoker) no details because husband refused autopsy. I have another sister that has had one breast removed because of cancer but is a survivor and is now age 69. I guess you can say I really really do hate the C word.

I have never smoked and up to a few years ago considered myself in pretty good shape. (Black

Belt in Tae Kwon Do, high school football player and usually pretty athletic. I had a heart attack immediately following a martial arts tournament where a kick to the chest loosened some plaque and had to have a single by pass as a result of it. This open heart surgery slowed me down somewhat and I have gained a little to much weight. It seems I could vent forever so I will just shut up.

Because of my past family history I just want the cancer out of my body as fast as possible (as we all do I am sure) which is the most frustrating to me as doing it fast is not in the doctor's vocabulary.

I am thinking Robotic surgery from what I am reading here on this forum. Seeds or radiation and leaving it in my body with cancer is not an option with me. I Live close to Vanderbilt University and there is a Doctor Harrell I have been refered to at this time. I know he does laprascopic but I am not sure it is Robotic. I am calling today to be sure. If anyone has heard of this doctor or the success at this university I would appreciate hearing from you.

Sorry to by so long.

Sorry, forgot about the hosiptal and doc.  Vanderbilt is a "hospital of excellance" for prostate cancer care.  Dr. Joseph and his team are there, making you a very fortunate man if yo want robotic surgery.  His team does lots each year, plus they have some excellent open surgeons there also, if for some reason you can't be given the robotic.  Here's some links to their facility, and a link to Dr. Smith video of him doing the robotic, if you aren't on the squeamish side...lol

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?id=2691

http://www.or-live.com/vanderbilt/1227/

Dr. Smith was the surgeon my doc offered to refer me to if I wished to go the robotic route, but I chose open for several reasons.  I'm up the road in E. Tenn.

Tamu,

Thanks for the information. I wasn't sure at first if Dr. Herrell did the Robotics at first but I see now that he does. I hope his wait time is not as long. When you say you began injections in April what were the injections for? ED maybe? Since I only found out yesterday I have not had time to read as much information as I need.

Thanks again for the information.

educator,

If you go with Vandy they have a post op penile rehab protocol. They will go over this with you. It uses Viagra for three to four weeks on a daily basis. This did not help me. I then went to using Viagra and a vacuum device. This allowed an erection firm enough for penetration but the quality was lacking. I then moved to penile injections. My first experience with injections was not good as the medication caused a discomforting ache. Dr. Smith's PA then placed me on Bimix which I began in April and have been using ever since. I do not remember specifically but I believe that Dr. Smith's ED complication rate is that after 18 months post op 70% of his patients regain normal erections if they did not have any ED issues prior to surgery which I did not. I am hoping that I am in that 70%. As you can see from my signature I regained continence within a few months which is about average for Dr. Smith's patients.

Tamu

  Hi   ~ Educator & Loved Ones,   Welcome    to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   Click here for… Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints , and Topic Thread Links This link is also located at the top of the HealingWell’s Prostate Forum where topics (threads) are viewed.     v      For Helpful Hints :) to navigate the forum... click on the Link )   and look for # (5) Signature Line (located in Profile)   Invitation to New Members… Welcome to HealingWell (Special Request)   (Direct Links ~ just click on the titles above and a new window will open! Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there)   Threads asking a specific question will get specific replies…   A personal thread is a way of allowing us to learn a little more about “you” and you get to learn a little more about us!!!   It allows us information as to where you are on your journey.   A “name” (even one made up : ) makes it a little more personal… and we really do get personal in a HealingWell way…!!   Please ~ keep posting, keep questioning, and stay close …   The information (links) listed above is to help you get started on your journey.       It is a journey best traveled with friends.            Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg     Post edited to add Signature Link (thanks Tamu!!) Post Edited (bluebird) : 10/16/2007 2:08:40 PM (GMT-6)

educator,

It will help those on the forum if you would set up your personal information in your signature. To do so go to "Control Panel" at the upper left of this page on the task bar next to "Log Off". You can then go to "Edit Profile" and complete your personal information and fill in what you want in the signature box. The forum protocol is to keep the signature box to 10 lines or less. BlueBird is the forum moderator so any question about how to use the forum you can pose to her.

Tamu

Educator,

Anyo Haseo!  A Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do? 
Kegal Exercises should be a natural for you!
You should begin these immediately.
It will speed your recovery from any post-treatment
    incontinence issues.

Try to get Dr. Walsh's book.
Read Lee & Buddy's Journey. 
  You can find an easy link to this Journey in Bluebird's signature!
  Then check out the Help Hints in the #2 thread on this page.
  Scroll down a couple of posts there and you will find
    Ms. Bluebird has indexed many topics and journeys.

Tamu is VERY informed and highly respected here.
I personally would give Tamu's endorsement for a treatment facility
and physician serious consideration as you look into your treatment options.

The shock of just moments ago being told you have cancer
 -and the need to learn so much so quickly is overwhelming.
Your new friends here are a valuable resource.
We were once just so overwhelmed and can keep you from
  "reinventing the wheel."
Ask anything. 
There is an experienced, informed & caring community here!

PAX

C^Cedar
ICTHUS

Hi Educator. Sorry you have to be here but glad you found us. I had open surgery and have had very few problems. Pretty dry, using a pad for insurance, ED is progressing with the help of modern chemistry. You have recieved a lot of good advise here and don't feel you can't ask any question of the members of this fine forum. I too am a southerner and live just across the line from East Tenn in Western NC near Asheville. Keep us posted on your journey and take care.

Mika

Thanks to everyone that has responded. I am two days removed now from finding out and I am beginning to get a more positive attitude thanks to all of you. I can see that I quite possibly have found it early and I might be in better condition than some others I am reading about on this site. My mental training in Tae-Kwon-Do I hope will help, but I will tell you one thing, finding out I had this PC kicked my "you know what" for a couple of days.

I am still waiting for my biopsy report to mailed to me so that I can also learn how many samples were with cancer. As I have stated before I do not seem to know as much about my PC as some of you do. I do not know if the pc was near nerves or not. Hopefully the report might shed some light on this.

Anxiously waiting to meet the Doctor that is going to operate. My consultation is not until Oct 29th and I am sure I will have to wait a certain number of weeks past the biopsy date.

Thanks to all of you and God Bless you on your journey as well

 

Hi ~ truly blessed... We would like to Welcome you on your own personal thread... Look for the special request thread titled... Invitation to *truly blessed ~ Welcome to HealingWell (Special Request) Hope to see you soon...  Keep posting ~ OKAY!!  v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum