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Decision Made

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Prostate Cancer
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Pete42
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 114
Posted 4/6/2007 10:04 AM (GMT -7)
Hello all- I've posted on here a few times after my diagnosis. Have been looking at Radiation (both photon and proton) and Surgery (open and Robotic). After my discussion and thought and prayer I have decided to go with Robotic surgery at City of Hope. I am scheduled for May 4. I will start a new post dealing with my journey from the time I go in for pre-op tests. I have also signed up to be part of a clinical study on increasing potency after surgery and will include that in there as well. Peace - Pete
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Izzyblizzy
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 411
Posted 4/6/2007 10:07 AM (GMT -7)
Congratulations on making a decision. That part is behind :)

Keep us all updated :)
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Joes411
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 87
Posted 4/6/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -7)
Hey, congratulations Pete. I'm scheduled for Robotic two weeks after you at City of Hope.

Good Luck!

Joe
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biker90
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1465
Posted 4/6/2007 10:50 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Pete,

Its good to have the treatment decision behind you. My wife and I lost all fear and anxiety after we decided. Now get in the best possible physical condition and becaome a cheer leader for the medical team. The only things we are allowed to take into the operating rooom are a great attitude and our naked bodies.

Stay with us please...

Jim
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Pete42
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 114
Posted 4/6/2007 11:08 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks all, it does feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Joe, I will make sure I keep you inofrmed along the way. Good luck to you too.

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Dutch
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 400
Posted 4/6/2007 11:18 AM (GMT -7)

Pete:

Good for you - it's one of the hardest things to do, but once you make the decision, don't look back.  Now relax, keep a good attitude and get in shape (if you aren't already).  Looking forward to your posts as you go along your journey.

Best of luck to you.

Dutch

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sween76
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 60
Posted 4/6/2007 12:12 PM (GMT -7)
One of the best pieces of advice I got was take care of yourself -  physical, mental and spiritual.  I exercise for 90 minutes each morning before I do anything else and do a power walk every afternoon for one hour. I have also become more spiritual.

My DaVinci is scheduled for April 16 and I feel very good about these three priorities since I did not procrastinate on any of them.

Ed

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PianoMan
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 365
Posted 4/6/2007 12:52 PM (GMT -7)
Best to ya Pete, from a fellow City of Hope alumnus.  You'll love the way they take care of you there.  Wish I had known about the ED trial -- I'd have given it a shot. As Dutch said, finally making  your decision puts a huge part of the process behind you.  From this point on, you will be amazed at how quickly time passes till your surgery and afterward as well. I look forward to reading your updates on the pre-op etc.  Be sure to heal slow and well my friend.  Give yourself several weeks to take it easy and don't push it physically. You're in good hands.
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myman
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 1219
Posted 4/6/2007 1:44 PM (GMT -7)
Pete - Everyone says great things about the City of Hope so you will be in good hands. You know we'll be looking for your thread and hoping for a full & speedy (not too speedy!) recovery. Be patient with yourself.

All the best,
Susan
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bluebird
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 4/6/2007 5:37 PM (GMT -7)
Hi ~ Pete…      Great news early….       We had you marked down to check on you on Monday…. And was thrilled to see your posting today!!!!  We are excited that you plan to start a Thread with “Your Journey” and all that it entails.   A gift of giving…   I spent time the other day talking to a wife and sister about this board.   It gave me “turkey bumps”… just sharing how powerful this forum is to all of us.   And it gave me a very warm feeling inside to see some of the fear leave their faces as we talked about prostate cancer and the stepping-stones ahead of them…     Excerpts from “Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring”.   Kegel Exercise: Items to have on hand before surgery: BE PREPARED:   Coming home with a catheter? (D)   Preparing for surgery:   Get your prescript ions filled before your surgery date so you don't have to get it on the way home..!!!   And start taking a mild stool softener so you don't get constipated!! You don't want to get (E) Bladder Spasms:  (F) Constipation is something you do not want to have to deal with and much more…   We hope you’ve had time to visit our personal thread and if you pull just “1” thing from our experience…. That will be “1” thing that will help to make your journey smoother.   Our thoughts and prayers will continue to surround you as you move forward.   Please remember ~ we are here for you and when and if you need a Helping Hand… just reach out because we are all here!!!   In Friendhship ~ Lee & Buddy   (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) 1 st Thread started by: Pete42    Proton Therapy
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Tamu
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 626
Posted 4/8/2007 3:33 AM (GMT -7)
Pete,

I know what relief you now have after making the decision. I am also heartened by your willingness to sign up for the trial on improving potency following surgery. I have accomplished two of the three goals that being rid of th cancer and completely continent but there is no improvement in the impotency so whatever you can do to make it better for those coming behind us is well worth it. Get is good shape for the surgery and with the reputation of the City of Hope you will come through to the otherside easily.

Tamu
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puget
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 237
Posted 4/9/2007 10:43 PM (GMT -7)
Pete, it's great you've found your way to a decision. That was the hardest part for me, too. I've also decided on robotic surgery. Currently working with scheduling staff and hope to get a date in early June. It was amazing -- I was so stressed out about the options. The more I read, the more uncertain I was. Then, just one night, the decision just came to me -- it was like I hadn't sought it out, it was just waiting for me. Once I called the hospital to set a date, I felt peaceful for the first time in weeks. I know it's just the beginning of the "real work," but I'm actually anxious to get the surgery behind me and get on with living. Hoping for the best for you and me -- but whatever the future brings, we'll have the strength to meet it! I'll look forward to your posts as you get ready for the big day in May. I'm sure they will help meget ready.
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M. Kat
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 715
Posted 4/10/2007 4:26 AM (GMT -7)
Pete - I think making the decision is one of the hardest parts of this journey. like others have said, take this time to get into great shape and it will be here before you know it. I look forward to hearing about the trial study afterwards. take care, kat
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Pete42
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 114
Posted 4/19/2007 3:00 PM (GMT -7)
Hey guys, tomorrow will be two weeks until surgery day. Just a short update. I had all my pre-op tests done at the City of Hope yesterday and everything went smoothly. As I mentioned I have volunteered for a clinical study about regaining erectal function after surgery. Had my first sessions yesterday. It is a randomized study ; three groups, One with daily MUSE and viagra, one with viagra, and one with nothing. I will not know which group I am in until after surgery. Yesterday the measured my penile length and taught me how to use the MUSE. It wasnt really that bad, the thought of doing it is worse then the actual treatment. They gave me a very low doage and then came back and remeasured. I will have to give my self another dosage in 48 hours. I will start two new threads once I am back on y feet; one on the surgical procedure and follow-up and another on the ed treatment. Until then I remain your brother on this journery, 
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Izzyblizzy
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 411
Posted 4/19/2007 5:24 PM (GMT -7)
that is interesting about the ED study. Are they thinking that starting ED meds before surgery will help? (i guess i am not clear on whether they are studying the effects of viagra and/or muse starting before surgery? or are they studying the after-effects but having you start them before).

hope my question makes sense?

Tanya

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Pete trips again!
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1899
Posted 4/20/2007 3:36 AM (GMT -7)
Pete,
I think its great that you are taking part in this test. Anything we can do to help out others who follow us will be tremendously appreciated as you know from the help you have received in this forum. It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row, good luck! Our prayers are with you.
Your friend,
Pete
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Pete42
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 114
Posted 4/20/2007 9:39 AM (GMT -7)
Tanya - The pre operation doses of muse are for the purposes of seeing whether or not I tolerate the medication before the tests begin

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Izzyblizzy
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 411
Posted 4/20/2007 9:42 AM (GMT -7)
ahhh ok got it :)

best wishes with your surgery.

Tanya
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oldfordlover
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 52
Posted 5/1/2007 8:48 PM (GMT -7)
Good luck on the surgery. You are not alone.
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