1588 journey starts

Hi 1588,

Sorry you have to be here but this is a very good forum for support and informtation as you have found.

Its good that you have made your decision about which procedure to use. That is a big step in the process. Now don't look back. Get yourself into as good physical condition as possible. Become an active part of the team that is going to bring you back to health. Be their cheerleader and biggest fan. Keep reading these posts and looking for all the support and help that we have to offer.

You will get lots of hits in the next few hours and days. Plaese stay with us and we are with you all the way.

Jim

Thanks Tamu and biker90---I guess good news that bone scan was negative but I had a second urologist compute a nanogram (?) and score tells me the chances the cancer is also outside the prostate is 50%, I'd rather go to Vegas. Just did a mile on the eliptical and was intimate with wife earlier-she is 10 years older and says she won't miss it--I'd rather go to Vegas 50/50 Colts/Bears just visual valium for me right now-glad I don't drink, Friend of Bill W.'s for a few 24's.

1588ap   &   Family,                       A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!   I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey with you!     It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!   We invite you to visit our personal thread listed in our Signature below… Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue your search for answers…   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You”   It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints for New Members... Hope this helps you! :) Updated 02-05-2007

Hi 1588

Sorry to have you join the group but good to see you have made a decision. Move a head with conviction and with a positive attuide finding all the good reasons to be thankful and hopefully good news will follow. It is not an easy journey and they will be ups and downs in even what I will call good cases. I was 48 when diagnosed and felt lucky to have it found now giving me a better chance, 2 or 3 years from now it could have been much worse. I had the DeVinci done this past January 9th and so far so good and I a wait my first post surgery PSA test on March 12th for one more validation that things are on the right track. Even I who have had pretty good results all around have had up and down days and it challenges you to the best to stay up. I have prepared myself for this next date that if the results are not what we are hoping for then I must ready to make the next decision, but I am optimistic that I will not need to make this next step. However if it happens I can still beat the next challenge with the next treatment. With surgery I have more insight as to how bad and far it had spread. My doctor was reassuring in the fact if he felt it had progressed far beyond the prostate he would not even recomend doing this surgery and recomend different treatments. I know it's hard but have faith in you and your doctors decison and you will be back on our feet shortly. While I was in good shape I made sure to hit the treadmill and log more miles and begin the kegel excersies prior to surgery. To this I believe this has helped with the dreaded side effects as they have not been a major issue with me to date, althrough I am just 26 days post op. But I am scheduled to begin trying a limited work schedule tomorrow. Stay strong and we will all be there for you.

norskie

hi 1588 - you're where a lot of us were months or even years ago. I think making the decision on which course of treatment to take was the hardest part. now you know where you're going and can take this month to get (or stay) in great shape, do those kegels, and have some sex. I know it's hard but try and relax and enjoy life. kat

hi 1588,
You and I are near exact matches on the scores. My surgery is this coming Friday. da Vinci at the City of Hope in SoCal. Please watch my posts as I will be documenting this for all. But you and I are very close match and I am certain we will bond our experiences. You have some others in this thread that certainly have made me more positive. I hope they have done so for you as well.

Tony & Ruth
Age 44
4 of 8 cores 80% Left side 20% right. 3+4=7
PSA=19 in October, 13.5 in December
Bone Scan Negative
daVinci scheduled for 2/16

hi 1588

if you live one hour outside of nyc, i don't understand why you didn't seek out one of the best robotic surgeons who happens to be in manhattan (i.e., dr. ash tewari). he has done at least 2000 robotic surgeries. he heads up robotic surgery at ny-presbyterian (cornell). he was one of the early pioneers in robotic surgery with dr. menon at the henry ford hospital before he was recruited by ny-presbyterian. it would probably take up to three months to schedule surgery with him. based on your stats, you are not in the earliest stage of PC. it might be a tough decision to change surgeons now. the key question is whether or not you have talked with some of the surgeons patients to find out what his track record has been with the few robotic surgeries he has performed. the key advice given to prostate cancer patients is to find the best qualified doctor for your treatment even if you have to travel away from home. good luck to you!

dave

just back from NYC-- good second opinion from a top 10 surgeon--yes he is an expert-- yes I need to consider all options-but as a good friend of mine once said-one is too many and a thousand is not enough--here I mean number of surgeries-vs-everything else-expertise yes 1300 vs 50 is big-the analogies are many-the $ no object-life no price-yet there are so many other varibles most of which revolve around getting the walnut out-positive margins yes--stats yes-goal self-contained yes-best % yes--gut feeling, priceless-

Hey pcdave, maybe rambling is just what he needs to do right now. Did you ever think of that....

Jim

Hi ~ 1588…   Priceless Posting  …….. So many variables to shift through… but you will shift through it all…once the OVERLOAD is behind you…..   STOP ….. and take a deep breath....   ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    Now take time to re-group and Remember…   … YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS…   All different kinds of lifestyles…   different PSA scores, different treatments, different incomes, different jobs, different health issues, all different ages, and most of all… MENTAL ATTITUDES ARE DIFFERENT.   Take the time that you need to make your decision.   We are here to support you no matter what your decision is.   Keeping you extra close at this time!!!   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

thanks guys-sorry didn't respond sooner--just got back from Mexico where my attention could take a break from PCa research-which is still overwhelming, and see the billion stars, whales, Marlin, water volleyball etc.-but I'm going with my local MD--doing the pre-op routine now-with DaVinci set for tomorrow 2/28 at 1 pm -my last rambling about 1 is too many 1000 not enough is an AA reference-but somehow drinking booze and PCa are related for me-This addict doesn't want to feel pain, emotional or otherwise so I've spent some days (24 hours) trying to accept pain rather than run--I know there is not a problem out there that a drink would make better--even 1000 drinks would not be enough to drown the fear I have right now--I just can't second guess myself-I need to stay close to the program, read the third step, take suggestions from others and talk to others even though I would rather isolate and stay in my own head, an admittedly dangerous neighborhood. My big fear is the post-op biopsy, even with tough numbers I will stay positve-and learn from those of you older and wiser and same age-thanks TC
-GeorgeM

Hi Friends
I have read and reread posts that advise others to "go with the guy with lots of surgeries". While I can't totally disagree with this advice, I think it is limited and somewhat ignorant of reality.

I do not know the number of surgeries that my doctor performed before mine. I asked if he was experienced, and I had numerous local recomendations from nearby physicians and patients. I think that he has done hundreds, but not 1000's of Da Vinci procedures. But, I did feel that he and his office were very professional. If I walked into an office and felt uncomfortable, I would leave. ( I have already done that).

You do a disservice to professional surgeons who could save your life, if you walk away because they have only performed xx# or so procedures. It is not a numbers game.

I also fear that Da Vinci type surgeries could become like a high end video game. They could be (and maybe have been) performed by a very campetent "game player". I still want my medical provider to be human, and have some compassion and personel interest in me "the patient".

I know from reading here that PCa survivors have had all sorts of treatment. We must all work to make it even better for those who come after us. I admire the effort that some members of this forum put forth every day. They care about those who will be here in the future.