Hi Ed and Kathy,
As you will see below, my husband is the same age as you Ed with very similar scores. The difference is that his was on both sides which put him in a later stage. We researched most options and chose the da Vinci due to the quick recovery time and the fact that his cancer was felt to be at an early stage. The one thing that was a positive to us with radiation over surgery, was the lesser side effects. However, most of the data we found showed that the incontinance and ED were factors, they just didn't occur right away. So in Kurt's mind, why not fight it all at once. Radiation is also a cancer causing agent. It might have gotten all the current cancer, but at 47, we didn't want to take the risk of more cancer in 20 or 30 years. We hve both been pleasantly suprised with the ease of the Da Vinci, even with the bladder spasms that he had the first night.
Once we made our decision, we followed the advise of the veterans here. Don't look back. Believe in your decision, and become a cheerleader for your team. We didn't meet the surgeon until the day before Kurt's surgery, but if anyone could be one of his biggest fans (besides greenacres), it is myself and Kurt. Good luck to you both. Courtney
Kurt & Courtney
47 year old
Great Health prior to dx
Dx on 1/29/07
PSA 4.1
Gleason 3+3=6, both lobes
Stage T2c, I believe
Tumor involves 20% of cores, both lobes
Live in OK
Da Vinci scheduled 3-14-07 in Austin
Post-Op Gleason 6, Stage t2c nx mx YAAAAA HOOOOOO!