Ken and Tanya's Decision ... Treatment finally decided

Hi Tanya,

Glad to hear from you all. I understand that the Denver area is due for another big snow fall tonight. The ski resorts out here would give their eye teeth for some of that arctic weather. Thanks for keeping us up dated on your decision making process.  We hope that you and Ken  have a Happy New Year, and the best of luck with your choice of procedures.

Glen

Hi, Iz - hope you all are snugged in safe and sound! We lived in Boston for 3 years but husb. was traveling so much, he didn't know we owned a snow shovel until we returned south!

I have the deepest respect for a radiologist/uro who is honest about options. Our onco was like a total sales pitch for radiation (and left out all the facts about future surgeries, etc.). Luckily, we stumbled on this site "way back when" and heard about the daVinci. My husband's background is in robotic operations (of a totally different sort), so our ears really perked up. We immediately hunted down the one in Texas who had done the most. He also had the most information out there readily available and was super-confident in his skills. That's exactly what we wanted for this particular "game."

We also know how exhilarating/knuckle-chewing it is to get close to decision-making time. So, our very best wishes are with you and Ken through this stage.

Greenacres,

Thanks!  and yes we are all snuggled up (after clearing the driveway ... unfortunately getting to be best friends with our snow shovels) we have plenty of food, couple gas fireplaces in case electricity goes out, and just enjoying being snow snuggle bunnies :)

Glen,

Yes, that is what *I* say about the ankle!  Take it EASY!  But I don't think I am going to be able to keep him away from "one last run" before surgery, whenever it gets scheduled!  Do you think he will be mad if I make him ski with the three year-old's :)  But he has been good about doing all his ankle excercises and his kegels!  we still need to get his walking up there more!  he does start getting sore even with an ankle support after a mile or so.

Have a happy and healthy new year everyone!!!

Hi Ken & Tanya,

Good news on the colonoscopy, which reminds me I'm do for one this year too. I hope all goes well for both of you tomorrow at the meeting with the robotic surgeon. Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress.
We are all thinking of you both.

Glen

Hi Ken & Tanya,

You poor people. I hope you have a enough food, toilet paper, and Movies to tide you over till the"Big Thaw" We got lots of rain today, and the Ski Resorts are crying the blues. Well I hope you all will get a break in the weather so you can make the Jan. 16th appointment. Good luck.

Glen

Thanks for sympathizing with my moaning and groaning, Glen and Green.

And yes, buy the JUMBO tp at Costco, so think we have enough! Although Ken did use quite a bit doing his colon prep for the colonscopy! So maybe I should double check or maybe i don't want to know, lol!

But I am sure roads will be fine by tomorrow once the plows get to everything and the sun comes out. :)

hey green!

yes had our consult today.   We are in for the third or fourth week of February and have defintely decided to go with the da vinci.  His scheduler is supposed to call us back today or tomorrow with nearest opening.

will let everyone know the exact date when we find out.

We like the surgeon.  And he has done them for the longest around here in Denver, almost going to hit his 500 mark.  It is a relief just to know we are going on the schedule.  I was worried he was going to say booked three months out or something.  But looks like we will get in within a bit over a month.

Also, he did another exam and said the avodart must be working, cause he agreed with the oncologist guy we went to right after Christmas that the prostate has shrunk significantly from 73 to (he guesses) 30-38. and says that makes the surgery much easier.

Also said he has had no problem with UHC insurance, and that was one of the first who full covered it,  so another relief there. 

Thanks for inquiring ... hope everything is still going well on your husband's end? (no pun intended!) :)

Tanya

 

That's great news, Iz. I know when we were researching docs, yours in Denver came up as one of the best. We found one closer, of course. And, he had done more than 300 at the time and that was good enough! Oddly enough - at that time - M.D. Anderson and Baylor (two renowned facilities in TX) were just getting into the da Vinci biz and we wanted some numbers under our surgeon's belt.

Wish we had a magic ball to keep track of the weather the latter part of Feb.!

There's such a relief in making the big decision and then setting a date.

Hi Tanya & Ken,

Glad to hear you all have a schedule for the daVinci procedure this February. We will all pray for a break in the weather for you folks. This has certainly been a strange winter for us on the east coast; record-breaking warm weather so far. Not a single flake of snow. Before you know it we'll have coconut palms instead of hardwood trees.

With a little luck Ken will recover soon enough so you all can enjoy an early spring ski season.

Glen

Ken & Tanya, I'm glad to hear you're scheduled to go. there are now several decisions behind you, which I think is some of the hardest part of this journey. now you can concentrate on being in great shape. God bless! kat

Hi Tanya,

Yes we really do need the snow fall to replenish the ground water. Jane is doing better on her crutches, but I still worry that she might fall again so I'm watching her like a hawk. I try not to be obvious as it might make her nervous.

We keep praying that the weather is good to you late in February.

Glen

Hi Bluebird,

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, we took off for a couple days this week and went down to Telluride for my birthday present. We actually didn't ski too much (just a little, little bit). But it was really nice, haven't been to that area before.

On other fronts, our surgery ended up being pushed out to April (long story). I was mad, but now just trying to hope and think there may be someone who needed the surgery before us and that is the reason, and hope it saved someone's life.

Tanya and Ken

Hi ~ Tanya & Ken,   Just heard from our family in Evergreen CO ~   they are having their 6 th snowfall in 6 weeks! How are y’all doing in Aurora? I’m thrilled you had a special birthday on the mountains… even with just a little run on them.. it let you guys get out and about .   I can imagine the mental state you both were in with surgery being pushed further ahead. Good for you ~ taking a positive lead because the getting mad and having negative vibes will do you no good! I know ~ you know…. We are all here for you ~ even if you do want to just let it “out” !!!   Just to get it out of your system… feel free…     Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy