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Posted 9/2/2008 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on May 15.

Gleason 6, PSA 4.4

Clean bone san and CT for pelvic and abdomen region

However my doctors are concerned the cancer has spread to the seminal vesicles

One core of the biospy was unconclusive about that

have been on hormone therapy since June 15

I am scheduled for open "old fashioned" (non-robotic) surgery on September 15. will remove the prostae, vesicles and nearby lymph nodes

Find this website forum very helpful and reassuring.

Thanks for being there.

Posted 9/2/2008 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
BillSD,

This is a great resource and everyone here is SO helpful. Keep checking in and stay visible. Please let me know how you are doing before and after the surgery. My PSA score is the same as yours but I'm "just" in pre-cancer stage now. It would be great to keep in touch to support one another.

Take care of yourself.


Jim
Posted 9/2/2008 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jim,

I will definitely keep in touch. Thanks for caring...it means a lot. I am grateful your biopsy showed no cancer!

By the way, I neglected to say I just turned 60. Doing very well except for chronic fatigue, probably from hormone therapy and donating my own blood in preparation for surgery. I am very optimistic...and have a great team of doctors.

Bill
Posted 9/3/2008 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Bill, Wishing you well on your surgery. We will be here for support if ya need us.
KW
Posted 9/3/2008 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks KW

I really appreciate you taking time to respond. I can see from your history you have had some post op challenges. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. The best news is your PSA is 0.0. I am a bit concerned about getting a clear margin. That is why my urologist suggests open surgery...so he can do the best he can to get it all if indeed it has spread ouside the prostate.

Hope the AUS surgery fixes the remaining problems for you.

Many thanks,
Bill
Posted 9/3/2008 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bill, And really, do not worry. The vast majority of the RRP guys come out very well with incontinance and ED. I was just one of the un-lucky ones.
KW
Posted 9/9/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
nono  Bill

You can see from my Bio we are close in numbers.  i had the open procedure 16 months ago, and it was "NO BIG DEAL"!  While I wish I never got PC it is what happened.  I like the fact that your surgern is taking out a lot of potential areas that can harbor cancer cells.  Dr. Scardino's book on PC is worth a read.  I was swimming at the New Jersey shore 4 weeks after surgery.  On discomfort for me was the cath, and staple removal, and that was not bad.  i see kids going through operation, after operation with the courage I could only wish for.  You will be fine, keep a Positive Mental Attitude!

Posted 9/9/2008 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Several of us on this forum have had the open surgery.  Stats tell there's hardly any difference.  You are in our hearts.  You really are.  Most all of us have been where you appear to be.

Gene214

Posted 9/9/2008 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
You have all helped me. I am ready to get the surgery behind me and on the road to recovery. I'll let you all know ho0w things turn out.

Bless you,
Bill in San Diego
Posted 9/10/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the expertise of most people on this site, but if you are talking about a Lupron shot or something like it as being hormone therapy, I too got a shot (3Month) that my Dr. told me was used to put the cancer on hold until the operation.

I also had RRP and had a Gleason of 9 with a PSA of 6.8 going in.

He took my left nerve bundle, but left my right intact. I would make sure your Dr. will save the nerve bundles if at all possible.

I'm now roughly 6 month's out from surgery, and in June I still had a testosterone level of 10 (Should be 700 minimally) which was attributed to the Lupron.

I'm told that I should be back in form within a year to a year and a half, so sit back, relax, and try to ignore the catheter as much as possible, it was the hardest part to deal with mainly because my penis blew up like a balloon and frankly scared the hell out of me, but nobody, including my R.N. wife was concerned about it. (I forgive her).

One bit of warning, when the Dr. tells you not to do anything, follow his advice carefully. I helped my sons move two weeks after surgery. I'm scheduled for a hernia operation in November.

Billy
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