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

Congratulations on making a decision. That part is behind :)

Keep us all updated :)

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Significant other diagnosed: 10/30/06

Hey, congratulations Pete. I'm scheduled for Robotic two weeks after you at City of Hope.

Good Luck!

Joe

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Age: 51

PSA  Jun06  4.1  (PSA Jun05  1.2)

1^st Biopsy Nov06 – Atypical cells but no cancer

2^nd Biopsy Jan07 – 1 of 16 cores positive

Stage T1c   Gleason  3+3=6

DaVinci scheduled for mid May

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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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

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.

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

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.

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.

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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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 No Symptoms
PSA: 7.96, Positive DRE
Biopsy Right: 6 of 6 Cores Positive Biopsy Left: 1 of 6 Cores Positive
Gleason: 4+3 = 7 Stage: T2B N0 MX
2/09/06: LRP Restage: T3A NX MX
3 mo. PSA Post Surgery: 11.8, 12.9, 13.9 Bone scan, CT scan, Endorectal MRI, Chest XR - neg.
9/06/06: 6 mo. PSA: 18.8 CT shows lymph node involvement Start HT Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07 - PSA 0.3

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”. 

 

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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mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

Link to our personal journey…>>>     Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision"

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

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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Diagnosed 7/6/06

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.

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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Husband Jeff 56 years old diagnosed July 27, 2006
PSA 6.5, 2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006
pathology report - all clear - cancer gone
1st post-surgery PSA test <0.1, 2nd post-surgery PSA test <0.1, 3rd PSA <0.1
no more pads Oct 12, 2006
first "real" erection with use of pump 12/16/06
3/07 - occasional dribbles and erections with Cialis and pump

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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Diagnosed 1/26/07

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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Age: 63
Diagnosed: 10/30/06
PSA: 3.7 (up from 3.4 previous year)
Biopsy: 1/10 cancerous, 5% of one core, right apex.
Gleason: 3+3=6
Da Vinci: April 10, 2007
Path results: 1% of prostate involved. Very small tumors on both rght and left apex. Negative margins. Gleason 3+4=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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54 years old, Surgury, Radical Prostatectomy 8/20/03, PSA 6.6, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6, Adenocarcinoma extent (moderate) Stage & Margin:T2NOMX, No Metastases, Organ Confined, bone scan: Neg. Testosterone Theropy since 12/06, Erect, Dry & Lovin Life!!! I am's what I am and that's all that I am!!! 

Tanya - The pre operation doses of muse are for the purposes of seeing whether or not I tolerate the medication before the tests begin

ahhh ok got it :)

best wishes with your surgery.

Tanya

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Age: 63
Diagnosed: 10/30/06
PSA: 3.7 (up from 3.4 previous year)
Biopsy: 1/10 cancerous, 5% of one core, right apex.
Gleason: 3+3=6
Da Vinci: April 10, 2007
Path results: 1% of prostate involved. Very small tumors on both right and left apex. Negative margins. Gleason 3+4=7.

Good luck on the surgery. You are not alone.

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Diagnosed 4/24/07 PSA 5.5
cancer in 8 of 10; gleason score 4+4=8; up to 70% pti; some perineural invasion
surgery scheduled 5/23/07

Dear Pete,

Today is May 4th as I am sure you are very aware.

The Night Before