Hi Scott…

Each decision is a very personal decision and because we are all soooo different ~  but looking for the same results…  it’s nice to know there are options out there for all of us.

Excerpt from Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring 

Each person has their own reasons for selecting a specific treatment!!  Reading threads that give a detailed account of a member’s personal journey will give you insight into why they choose what they did…. 

Always remember…..

Your decision is your decision and it will be the right decision!

This really is a wonderful forum with so much helpful information that so many are willing to share to help others..

Take care and know that we keep you close in our thoughts and prayers.

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

I chose Da Vinci for some of the reasons that the others chose open surgery. My research indicated that da vinci caused less bleeding which actually improved visual inspection of the surgeon. I also chose because of recovery time. I own a business and needed the quickest possible recovery. I went back to work the day following my surgery. The statistics that I have seen indicate little or no difference in results (meaning being cancer free). The daVinci procedure is newer procedure so there are not as many long term results available. My original doctor was a highly respected urologist, but his hospital had not invested in the 1 Million dollar robat and so he did not offer the Da Vinci option. He actually tried to convince me against it- remember its just business to them  - Once I chose the Da Vinci procedure I searched for the right doc. The Henry Ford clinic in Detroit is considered by many to be one of the top Prostate Clinics in the country and offer cutting edge protate treatment . There recently published results show better results with Da Vinci than with conventional open surgery.I encourage you to visit :http://www.henryfordhealth.org/19085.cfm

I actually ended up selecting a doc in Kansas City David Emmott. He had experience at the Ford clinic and had completed several hundred Da Vinci procedures prior to my operation. In selecting the doc I talked with my personal doc, who is a social friend and he stressed experience as you have seen on this site.  He said there's an old saying about selecting a doc and a procedure - "you never want to be a doctors first first or the last patient". 

56 year old male. 02/06 PSA 5.5  Subsequent Gleason 3+3=6 DaVinci Surgery 7/06 fully contained, returned to work (desk) the following afternoon, clear at 3 month check up, no pad 1 week after cath removal, but still occas. leaks after long day. No ED prior to surgery. ED since without improvement. Able to orgasm with help from wife and vibrator, but no sense that erection is returning. Drugs, no effect. Going to try the pump.

What I gather from your question is that if all things were as equal as possible why choose one type of treatment over another.  I am not sure that you can get to where all things would be equal but in my case it was a simple answer.  I wanted to know whether or not my cancer was contained to the prostate and was gone.  I wanted to know this as positively as possible.  The only treatment that gives you that outcome is surgery and the post op path analysis.  Other types of treatments can give you statistical assurances but you are still a mental slave to the constant PSA test.  If that does not bother you then all treatments are on the table for you and it becomes a personal preference.  One thing for certain, you could not ask this question of the medical community that treats prostate cancer and get an unbiased answer.

Tamu

Scott--My urologist, after delivering the news that surprised both me and him, said three important words:  "You've got time".  That was a real help to me to have the time to do the research we needed to do to make a decision my wife and I felt was the best option for us.

The  first decision was whether to have surgery or brachytherapy or another option.  We spent a long time researching and thinking about our choice, and settled on surgery.  It was not a black-and-white decision, but one we knew was right for us after weighing all the factors that were important for us.

Then it was a question of open vs. robotic.  That, too, was a personal choice based on a number of factors.  I believe that robotic prostate removal will be the surgical treatment of choice in the near future.  We went with open RPP because we trusted our urologist and his expertise with this surgery.  That was the most important aspect to us.

I was in top physical condition before surgery and came out of it in good shape and recovered rapidly.  I may have recovered a little sooner with robotic surgery, but that wasn't the most critical piece of our decision. I don't regret this decision, although I might have gone with robotic under different circumstances.

To repeat, the most important three words are "You've got time." Make your decision based on research, talking to those who have gone thru different approaches, and you will feel comfortable with the decision you make.  Best to you, Scott! 

  I chose the open RRP due to the fact I really liked my Dr.  We are close to the same age and he even said it kinda hit close to home for him that I was this young.  I knew he would do everything he could to spare the nerve on the one side that appeared to be free of cancer in the biopsy to help keep my sexual function.  I also liked the fact that when My Dr. does the surgery he is assisted by another surgeon in the practice (He is also in his mid 40's and a friend of some of my wife's family).  I have not heard any of the DiVinci guys say that there was a second Dr. assisting.  I liked the fact that there were 4 hands and 4 eyes looking at things in there.  He also said that his best tools are his fingers. To be able to feel anything and everything he wants too.  As far a blood loss and vision My Dr. said he can see everything just fine and they do so many of these that they almost never have to give blood during the operation.  I did have a bleed that caused some complications, but it was later that evening or the next morning after the surgery.

  My Dr's office and the hospital he uses is only a mile from my house.  Made it great for the family and the return visits for check up's.

  Also, at this time in Oklahoma City there is only one DiVinci machine and only two urologist that do the surgery with it.

  Although I'm having a harder, longer time getting the bladder control back that most of you seem to have I'm still happy with my outcome.

  I would probably make the same decision today if I were to do it all over agian!  You have to go with your gut feeling on what is best for you. 

Hi Scott, sorry to welcome you to the club, but better here than not.

As you will have noticed, all the guys here have chosen one form or another of surgery.  I have chosen radiation.  I think you choose the option that frightens you the least and that's the way you go.  There are a bunch of high quality people here and I assure you that they want the best for you.  To that end they strongly recommend their choice of treatment.  For them to do otherwise would be dishonest and they are honest to a fault.  In my opinion, you should research thoroughly and then make your own decision.  I say this because my choice is different than most, but I think the world of these fine people.  I am truly sorry that you must make such a decision.

Illigitimi non bu carborundum,

Bill

56 year old male. 02/06 PSA 5.5  Subsequent Gleason 3+3=6 DaVinci Surgery 7/06 fully contained, returned to work (desk) the following afternoon, clear at 3 month check up, no pad 1 week after cath removal, but still occas. leaks after long day. No ED prior to surgery. ED since without improvement. Able to orgasm with help from wife and vibrator, but no sense that erection is returning. Drugs, no effect. Going to try the pump.

See 1^st Thread started by Scott MacAdam….

(direct link ~ just click on the title!  Reminder to click on the REFRESH icon once there)

1-10-2007 Partial Quote…  from Need info in the Pacific Northwest

Hi...Scott ~

I hope you're finding answers...  Please stay with us and let us know how you're doing.

I placed a link to your 1st thread and added your "Specifics" above so those reading would know where you are on Your Journey.      In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

Post edited 8-25-07 to add Scott's threads: