Hi Golf and Bike:
Well, I'm just a little ahead of you. I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago, so understand your mental state in real time.
My wife and I have spent a LOT of time on the internet and talking with various docs to get their opinions. My urologist was great...did my biopsy under anesthesia so it was literally painless. No post procedure problems but...in case you haven't had your first orgasm yet, be prepared for some blood! Fortunately my doc told me to expect that, but it was still pretty gross...
Anyway, my urologist was very complete in discussing options but told me that I was a good candidate for either of two....surgery or brachytherapy. He then referred me to docs who did those procedures respectively. Of course the surgeon thought surgery was best and suggested robotic. The radiation oncologist was less pushy but naturally favored radiation and said that brachytherapy was best for my cancer. Fortunately, both docs were honest enough to agree that either treatment would most likely cure my cancer - which is what the internet research bears out.
I further research proton beam, HIFU, "ice balls", etc, etc, but have come back to the original two options of surgery or brachy.
The first surgeon I went to said I was the poster boy for robotic but, after I pushed him a bit, admitted he and his partner (it takes 2 docs for this procedure) had only done 15-20 robotics though they had done over 1000 radicals. So...I went to the DaVinci web site and used their doctor finder to find another doc in my area who did these. I found one who had done 1000 and teachs other docs to do this. All of the research I did suggested that 300 is the minimum to really get good at this, this I would strongly recommend you make sure of the total numbers.
The radiation guy had done over 500 brachys and he gave me a list of several of his patients to call who had volunteered to discuss the procedure with potential victims (actually the second surgeon made the same offer).
Anyway, where I am now is this: I have decided on one of two procedures and have selected docs in either case. Both options have side effects but somewhat different. For my particular situation, I think the ED is less problamatic with the brachy and the urinary deal is early incontinence with surgery and early frequent urges with brachy. There is also a low probabilty of bowel stuff with brachy but not with surgery.
So...I'm gonna pull the trigger on a decision this week. I'm leaning toward brachy right now and will probably do "volume study" in early November, seed planting in early December and follow up MRI a month later.
By the way, all of the docs told me that surgery after brachy is not likely to be an option. SOME very few docs will do this but not that many. So, if I go for brachy the remaining options are probably freezing and hormones. Hopefully, if I go for brachy, the odds are right and this will be a cure....but this is still something to think about....
Please drop back to this thread and let me know how you progress.