I lost a friend this week to prostate cancer. John and I had been drinking buddies in college, attended each others weddings, and stayed in touch over the years. My friend had
open surgery six years ago, but the results were not "clean" and he subsequently went through several rounds of radiation and two clinical trials at Sloan-Kettering. He had felt well until the last few months. John had been very helpful to me last summer and fall, when I was trying to figure out what to do. Although my recovery has gone very well, I feel humbled by this disease. Best wishes to all here.
Age 66
PSA History: 6.0 on 07/31/09 having risen from 4.2 on 12/02/08. Free PSA 23.5%.Other PSA History: 4.3 on 05/01/08; 3.3 on 11/15/07; 3.1 on 05/20/07; 4.0 on 11/30/06; 3.40 on 09/01/05.
Biopsy: 09/04/09 13 snips; two positive. Right Mid 4+3 = 7 and 15% of the total volume. Right Lateral Mid 4+3 = 7 and 20% of the total volume.
DaVinci robotic surgery: 11/05/09. Post surgery pathology: margins clean, no invasion of seminal vessels, no upgrade of the Gleason scores, no evidence of cancer outside the prostate capsule.
Cathether removed one week later: 11/12/09. No incontinence. Stopped pads after two days.
Subsequent: PSA: 02/10 Undetectable at 0.00; 05/10 Undetectable at 0.00. No incontinence. No erections-- nerve bundle removed during surgery (this was anticipated).