Puzzled

I'm real new here, and I'm trying to understand why the "radiation vs surgery" thread was locked. I found other posts that say "ask the moderator who locked it" but I can't figure out who that was. I didn't see anything that came close to flaming, argument or disrespect. Looking for a clue. . .

There have been several threads proclaiming that 'surgery should be outlawed' or that those who chose surgery should 'admit their mistake'. This is essentially a violation of board etiquette, in that the treatment choices one makes should never be criticized by others.

The debate goes on. Each form of treatment has costs and benefits. I'd say that some get carried away, perhaps to the point of fanaticism. I'm not taking sides here, as I've had both. But you do not see primary RT followed by prostatectomy, which is the main advantage cited by proponents of RP. Everyone makes a choice based upon their own particular set of circumstances, and those who were not in that situation are in no position to judge those who were.

I think those threads just tend to bring out the bare teeth and make people on both sides uncomfortable.

Just curious How many folks with ( Gleason 7 ( 3+4) ) on this forum with Dx PSA between 4 and 10 and stage less than PT2C who went through RT as primary treatment had BCR.

JNF said...
Rob I am on here most every day and I don't remember any such threads. Could you be more specific and cite them?

That's demanding a lot from my Lupron brain lol. However I *DO* remember reading both of those phrases I quoted, or perhaps paraphrased. I wasn't trying to stir the pot; I was trying to put a lid on it. To be honest, I am not creative enough to have invented something like that, but I know it was within the last month or so that I read them, and I'm pretty sure it was here on HW and not another board... so if you insist, I could *probably* track them down thru my browser history. But why bother?

Something I don't think I have EVER seen here is someone who had chosen surgery saying "I don't understand why you (primary RT) guys didn't have surgery instead". Just sayin'.

Okay, here's one... www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2711891

"I feel surgery for G6 guys should be illegal. It is butchery in my opinion. In my opinion the urology community is taking extreme advantage of people who have been diagnosed with cancer and are in complete total fear and shock."

I wasn't trying to start an argument, just reporting what I have observed here in these pages.

In my experience on this forum ( 11 years), there is no general bias against any prostate cancer treatment, including no treatment. Each individual has his/her own prejudices, and has the right to choose for oneself. The good thing about this forum is that there are many opinions put forth, some of which we agree with. The bad thing about this forum is that there are many opinions put forth, some of which we disagree with.

RobLee wrote :

"The debate goes on. Each form of treatment has costs and benefits. I'd say that some get carried away, perhaps to the point of fanaticism. I'm not taking sides here, as I've had both. But you do not see primary RT followed by prostatectomy, which is the main advantage cited by proponents of RP. Everyone makes a choice based upon their own particular set of circumstances, and those who were not in that situation are in no position to judge those who were."

Rob, you do not need to do RP after RT. There are several recent studies supporting the use of SBRT and also cryotherapy after a failed primary RT.

BTW, I have seen very, very few posts about failed primary RT.

My bias is that everyone needs to investigate all their options before deciding. Low G6 cases who blindly accept a surgery recommendation are likely to have me urge them to investigate ALL options before deciding on a treatment.

If that is a bias, I am biased.

Not all people are willing to hear that message.

and this thread is just reviving arguments that erupt here from time to time. Eventually they break down to name calling and mud slinging. Then the underpaid moderators have to act.

I remind everyone that the moderators here are volunteers and it is a wonderful gift they freely give this forum.

Peace,
Andrew

RobLee...I will point out that the thread and phrase that you quoted were from a guy that had surgery. But overall, I would agree with you that the radiation guys are probably more vocal than the surgery guys.

That said, I personally think that's because in the real world where people are getting diagnosed by uros (i.e. surgeons), they come here knowing only part of the whole picture. For better or worse, the radiation guys weigh in to fill the info gap and play devil's advocate. For example, if someone here says that they are leaning toward surgery because it gives them radiation as a back-up, I don't think I'm doing my part in this community if I don't point out that it's more complicated than that.

But at the end of the day, we all make our own choices and denigrating anyone's treatment choice is clearly not right. If that's going on people should be called out on it.

PS As to the original question, I was also surprised to see the post locked. (And not sure if this is true with others, but sometimes when I've forgotten about a post and then I notice it's locked--I look right away to see what's happened.) But when I didn't see anything inflammatory, I presumed that our long-suffering mods had to do a lot of tidying up.

The poster who Rob cited was one core G6. It looks like he was not advised of AS or other less invasive treatment methods. I want to hear again all the great reasons for surgery with that diagnosis.

I tried to find the 'denial and regret' post that I remember reading, and suspect it may have been deleted by the poster or more likely a moderator. Again, I can't make this stuff up.

In other forums, people are congratulating me for nearing completion of my RT, and here I am being picked apart. Thank you to those who have been supportive.

Rob I feel for you in your situation. No one should be having the problems with treatment that you are having. The discussion and responses are not personal, at least from my perspective. At best treating this terrible disease is terrible. First and foremost the objective here is to help everyone in their situation.

As I have earlier posted, during IMRT I had the usual bowel irregularities but never as bad as you are having. With your extreme exhaustion I wonder if the problems have left you malnourished. ADT, radiation and other treatments throw our systems way off. From an energy standpoint have you talked to your docs about B12? Some have had booster shots (my wife did during her radiation) and have felt better.

I hope and am confident that your current treatment will be successful and the current problems will dissipate once the radiation stops.

Best wishes, Jack.

I echo some of Herophilus’ remarks, as the choice of surgery for me was also complicated. One concern was that primary radiation would make my urinary flow issues even worse. Surgery was the right choice for me, but I would be inclined to recommend alternatives, if possible, in a given situation. However, I definitely respect whatever choice a guy makes.

I have “bashed” my Uro a number of time in posts here. Not because I’m angry that I had surgery, but because I feel he didn’t present the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, when he made his pitch for having a RP.