Unfortunately, time to quit lurking and get on the bus

Hi Boo,

Sorry to have to welcome you to the club, but it sounds as though you caught this early.

You are correct that Glen had DaVinci surgery at GW.  He and I had the same surgeon, Dr. Jason Engel (DC Urology).  I went to Dr. Engel because my urologist strongly recommended robotically-assisted laproscopic and I felt that was the right choice after my own research.  Dr. Engel was recommended as one of the most experienced in the mid-Atlantic.  The other one metioned was Dr. David Lee in Phily.

Johns Hopkins of course has a great medical reputation but was not recommended to me because they do not do DaVinci, only open surgery.  In fairness, there are a number of members here who believe open is a better alternative.  I am just not one of them.

Sorry that I can't respond to your question in regards to PSA.  Mine went up in the last year and a half prior to surgery, but it was 3.7 up to 6.1. (Now it is zero after surgery two months ago).

Rick

1 of 10 core samples, 40%

Stage T1c, Gleason 3+3

Da Vinci on 11/01/06

56 Years Old

Post Op Path

Gleason 3+3

Prostate Confined

BooMan:  Sounds like you caught your problem very early.  Gleason 3 + 3 is on the low side, which is good. 

I also was a Gleason 3 + 3.  Decided to go for the best opportunity for a cure....surgery.  I live down South, but decided to search the country for the most experienced, highest credentialed urological surgeon out there.  I checked my insurance network to see what facilities/doctors on my short list were in network.  I knew about the laproscopic/robotic/open procedures, but had an oncolgist/friend who specializes in prostate research advise me to pick the surgeon, not the procedure.  You see, most of the "experts" out there do one type or the other, not both.  I followed my oncologist/friend's advice. I considered only the top guys and accepted what they do best.  I ended up selecting Alan Partin at Hopkins, not far from where you live.  If you've read my earlier posts, I think you know I had an excellent result (<0.1 PSA three months post surgery; pad free after four weeks; running five miles seven weeks post surgery).  Partin trained under the best ever, Patrick Walsh. 

While Partin does the open procedure, there are others at Hopkins who do perform the DaVinci contrary to what Rick54 reported.  I know this because I spent 48 hours in the hospital and talked to guys who had the robotic.

You live in an area with many good, experienced urological surgeons.  Make sure you pick one of the experts.  I foresee a complete, swift recovery in the future!  You're on the right track.

Hello Boo,

Yes we do seem to have much in common.  I wish it was restricted to the family and aviation stuff, but it isn't.  This is an unhappy experience for all of us and I have spent hours online looking for information and this is the best human place I have found.

Do you work Patomac Approach?  I fly a G-IV.

I have spent untold hours learning about various curative options.  At present I favor IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy).  This opinion may change tomorrow.  I am very surgery averse.  Like some other guys here, I have never had a surgery, or been a patient in a hospital.  I have contacted an HIFU clinical trial place to see about that.  It seems that I may be a candidate.  Do I want to do that?  No, but I don't want to do anything else, either.

My uro has recommended surgery.  He is, of course, a surgeon.  Had the same performed on himself ten years ago.  The choice of what to do seems mostly based on our emotions.  My uro just wanted it OUT of him and I have read much of the same on this site from several of the guys.  I am more concerned about side effects and the misery and risks of surgery.  (Side effects come with all choices, I know.)

The essential problem is that there is no really good choice.  No matter what you choose, there are negatives associated with it.  It blows. 

Please keep me informed about your thinking.  We need this info.

The numbers regarding our prostate stuff and our marriages are incredible.  I hope that one day that we are interested only in our families. 

Keep Your Mach Up,

Bill

62 years old and good health.  Married 37 years.  To same woman!

Curtis had never been in the hospital and didn't even like to go to visit someone there, but he wanted that awful stuff out of him bad enough that he immediately decided to have the surgery.  Of course it helped when we found that surgery isn't an option after radition, but it is the other way around if needed in the future.

Just something to think about.

Like Bluebird says...whatever you decide will be the right choice...for you.

Have a wondeful Thanksgiving and try to enjoy the day and forget your worries for a little while.