Welcome Hopeful203

   Since Hopeful203 asked for help in another thread, his post is being moved here for his own thread.  He has already had a couple responses there and maybe this will get more people involved.   I am 57 and was told two days ago that my biopsy came back with 2 of 12 cores show cancer.  Of the two cores, one was 3+4 and the other was 4+4.  In each core they were around 14%.  I've read articles, forums, talked to docs, and I'm just not sure what to do.  It seems that for me, the more information I get the more confused I become.  I simply am phobic about general anesthesia so most of my confusion is probably me trying to convince myself that there is a better way.  I was pretty much settled on IMRT but my docs haven't said anything to my about hormones.  The original urologist, who is a surgeon, recommended surgery because of my age. The only thing I've read so far that has me really concerned is what options - other than hormonal therapy - do I have should my psa go up in a few years?  It sounds like there isn't anything I can do due to the scares caused by the radiation.  Am I missing anything here?  Is there something that could be done IF the cancer came back in 10 years?  Also, is the hormonal treatments palative or can they also cure the cancer? Between  Cyberknife, Proton, DaVinci, HIFU, Radical, IMRT, IBRT, Brachia(sp), Hormones, I feel a little overwhelmed. Help! :/                                                           Hi ~Hopeful203 and Loved Ones,   W elcome     to   ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    Special Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER.   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!                                                                    >>   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get around the forum!     This is a journey best traveled with friends.     Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com     Forum Moderators v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       Doting Daughter  ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum   v       James C  ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum Post Edited (James C.) : 7/31/2008 8:02:47 AM (GMT-6)

Hopeful 203,
If you review my own situation (Between Radiation and Surger - RBinCountry) you will find a lot of good comments from the great support group who dials in here.

No one can tell you what to do and you will very likely be fine whichever direction you turn - as has already been said you should have many more good years. Saying that - I would tell you that my surgery was uneventful. I have had more pain and inconvenience from bad colds or the flu. The anesthesia was a breeze. I was being introduced to one of the surgery assistants and that was the last thing I knew until someone was talking to me in another room. I then thought - "well when are they going to take the darn thing out of me" - of course they already had! There were no after effects from anesthesia. Wearing a cathedar for several days was probably the most inconvenience, but even that was really no big deal.

Whatever you do - know that there are many of us who have already walked the same path, and there are great abilities all around us to solve these kinds of problems. We live in a time of blessing and opportunity. A few years ago we would all have been much worse off. Blessings to you!

RBinCountry
Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA .04

Hopeful the best I can recommend for now is to step back and take a deep breath. You don't have to make any decisions right away. Knowledge is empowerment. Study up for awhile. then take a few days off before you make a decision for whats best for you. There's many factors to consider. It will seem overwhelming at first.

Hi

We have all walked the path you are on now. It can really be a mine field when it comes to decision time. Most Doctors will tell you it is your decision to make. Get educated and go to a hospital that offers a multidiciplinary approach to treating PC. You will get a lot of information from various Doctors. Do all the reasearch you can and ask as many questions of your fellow forum members here. But, it is your decision and your body.

Make that decision and don't look back. You can beat it.

Mika