Well, Guess I'm In The Club Too

Hello All,

Had my biopsy in late December and received the dreaded call in early January. Needless to say I've been on an emotional rollercoaster since I was informed I had cancer. Fortunately, I found this site and I'm greatful for the insite and information I've found here. At first, my reactions was to heck with it, I'm not going to wear diapers and be half-a-man the rest of my life. After reading some of the success stories on this site I've gotten a little more optimistic about the treatments and I've decide to have the surgery and be here for my family. My Urologist performs the DaVinci surgery and has about 500 under his belt, but my gut feeling was he wasn't the best for me. I met with Dr. Justin Lee at USMD in Arlington and was very impressed with him. I've read many positive things about him and USMD but didn't see anything very recent. If anyone has any feedback regarding him or USMD please let me know.

I've tried to include what I know in my sig but I've still got a lot to learn about all this. Again, thanks to everyone who has had the courage to post on this forum. I'm sure there are many others in my position that didn't know what to do, and knowing there are others that have survived the ordeal is very comforting to know.

Country Dave

Dave. Welcome to HW. Sorry that you have had to join us, but you will find a wealth of information and a great bunch of guys and girls to help you on your PC journey.

I was just like you when I had the phone call. Blind panic set in and I was running around like a headless chicken. It was only this place that brought me home to roost.

Your numbers are pretty much the same as my own. I am also a 3+4=7 and all treatment options were on the table for me. I saw the surgery guy but when he told me he would have to cut wide on the right margin and that I would have permanent erection issues I quickly ruled that out.

Like you I also had this thought of having to wear some kind of incontinence pad. Walking around in public knowing I could wet myself at any time did not sit well with me. I wanted a treatment that could reduce the risks of all those side effects and that is why I chose LDR brachy. Just over 3 weeks out of my treatment I am glad that I did, because right now I am doing fine.

Right now you have no reason to rush into anything. With your numbers time is sure on your side. Get the results on your second opinion then look at all the options open to you. You pretty much only get one shot at this, so choose the treatment plan that you feel will work best for YOU. What works for one guy may not work for another. Choosing a treatment is a very personal thing, depending on your requirements and expectations.

All the very best to you as you move forward.

Welcome, as you can see from my signature, our age and stats are similar, mine being a tad worse.
After insane research, surgery was also chosen. Seems to me that you already explored your options. Shopping for the best surgeon is wise. Your age and stats are very promising for surgery. Once again, choose your surgeon wisely.

Welcome, Country Dave,
I know you didn't want to join this club, but it's actually a pretty good club to be in. Great guys (and a few gals) to travel the road with. We're similar in our story, and I'm on day 4 post RALP and doing well. Take a look at "My Story" to see the arc. Pratoman is another RALP story (I think he's at week 6 post surgery).

For me, when I had the consultation, I knew in my gut I found the guy I wanted poking around in my gut. It's hard to explain, but I knew.

Welcome Dave
Its really good advice to get the second opinion. I am a surgery guy that is 15 months post op and for the most part I am back to where I was before surgery. There are some lingering side effects but I see slow and steady progression. Read the experiences here to get an understanding on what to expect

We are here to help and support you through this journey

Take care, get educated and think carefully about the steps you take to win over PCA

Pat

The ride home, reminds me of a ride we took with a friend and his wife right after catheter came out. He was going to come with his new Prius, I knew he had a bigger car, Jeep cherokee, so asked if we could go in that. big mistake, after seeing the the inside of the Prius and riding in the Cherokee for 2 hours,,, Big mistake. We laugh about it now. Goos luck, you mention second opinion, Im thinking that is fro a reread of biopsy slides. that is wise.

Dave,

I remember that call so well and the shock and denial that went along with it. Take you time to make a decision that is right for you. While I selected surgery, that was right for me but isn't for everyone. I am one of those that felt like - Cancer inside of me? get it out. Of course mine had more to do with my family history of my grandfather and my dad and what their decisions were; plus my age. I wish you only the best in whatever you decide for you.

I'm adding my welcome to our little club. Based on what you know so far you are Gleason 3+4, and probably low volume if the cores taken in your biopsy are representative if what is actually present, which they probably are. There are more treatment options available with studied track records today than when I had my initial treatment in 2002. Based on your biopsy results, you don't need to rush into any treatment, so take your time and research all options. FWIW I was 56 at diagnosis and am now 69 and not yet wearing diapers.

If you haven't read it yet, read this thread: Newly Diagnosed with PC thread. It will give you a quick overview of staging, treatment options, etc.
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2652250

Jim

Welcome aboard Dave!

I agree with TA and the others who suggest you check out all the options you have, and you have many, before you decide which treatment plan. All treatment plans have side effects. Surgery creates side effects immediately and radiations come on later.

You are starting off better than I did by having you slides checked for a second opinion. They usually don't vary much but........you never know.
You are also questioning the experience of your doctor which is a good thing. 500 DaVincis sounds like a lot. My surgeon had done almost 6,000 before he did me. Now he is over 7,000.

Most of us knew nothing about PCa when we got it. Hell I hardly new what a prostate was and what it did until my PSA started rising into the high 7's. Didn't have surgery until much later when it got to 18.5 and Gleason 3+4=7.

Hang in there. You have plenty of new brothers and sisters here to help with your questions and sympathy when you just want to vent.
Venting is allowed on the forum.

Bill from Florida

Thanks to everyone for the welcome and willingness to share your experience. I've been doing a lot of reading in this forum and it has helped me learn a lot about something I never thought I would need to know. Thank you all for the moral support as well. Hopefully I'll be in a position to one day offer comfort and guidance to someone who's going through what I am now.

Best of luck to you all!

Dave