Like TC-Las Vegas, I have been involved with the local Us Too group. The group meets once a month and each meeting features a speaker on a subject related to PCa. There are also opportunities to mingle and meet others with similar situations and concerns. Unfortunately, they meet on the third Thursday of each month, when, without fail, my wife is either at school (persuing her master's) or up in Utah on real estate business. So, I'm home in charge of the feeding, homework etc. with my 13-year-old. So I miss most of the meetings, but help them with publicizing the group's efforts.
I think the strongest aspect of our local US Too group is its founder and leader, Lew, who started it many years ago. When I was first diagnosed, the ACS gave me his number and from there forward he was always there to pick up the phone, open the door to his home, and help in any way possible. He's over 18 years out of surgery and doing fine. He's extremely knowledgeable about the latest local and regional resources for guys with PCa, in terms of diagnoses and/or treatments. And he continues to be an advocate for us guys -- working with the politicos, watching for potential legislation in our favor etc. He was a God-send for me.
BUT -- like TC-Vegas (Tony) said, this forum has been invaluable because of the range of PCa guys and spouses who come here with their questions, suggestions and encouragements. I never thought I'd find such a place on the Internet.
Best to ya,
Tom
D.O.B - 8/9/52
PSA: First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1
DRE: Negative
Biopsy results 11/22/06. Both lobes involved. Six out of eight cores positive - from 100 percent to 90, to 60, to 50, two 20s and two zeros.
Gleason 3+3 = 6
Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007
Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear. Volume of tumor much less than biopsy suggested. 12 percent overall.
First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07
Second post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 9/11/07
Third post-surgery PSA -- Undetactable, 2/15/08
Surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia repair, 4/4/08
Post Edited (PianoMan) : 5/4/2008 7:36:58 PM (GMT-6)