I undwent a catheritization procedure in early-June this year, and the end result was that two stents were inserted after the Surgeons found two arteries with 90% blockage and a third with 60%. Prior to the procedure I discussed the possibilities I might face, and the possibility of a quick decisionmaking process. I asked a lot of questions to which the answers provided risk information. We patients have a responsibility in the process not to just sit and listen, we have to be engaged - we should prepare in advance for various possible decisions to be made. I also researched the catheritization procedure online, read about stents ... and I did similar research on heart bypass procedures, because that would be a possibility as well. When the blockages were located the Surgeon showed them to me on large video monitors in the OR/procedure room and then asked me how I would like to deal with them. The options I was presented with were heart bypass surgery or the insertion of stents. I'm not a cardiac surgeon nor am I educated in medical matters such as this. When my cardiologist recommended a couple of surgeons I asked her to recommend one she would select for her children if they faced a similar situation. I went with her selection which gave me comfort at the decision-making stage - because when asked what procedure I wanted I told the surgeon to make the choice for me. He has the knowledge, he was in my heart at the moment. So he outlined the reasons why he'd insert stents instead of doing a couple of bypasses and I told him to do it then and there, no reason to wait. I've recovered well and have never thought twice about whether or not I made the right decision.
Age: 61 (58 at diagnosis - June, 2008)
April '08 PSA 4.8 ("free PSA" 7.9), up from 3.5 year prior
June '08 had biopsy, 2 days later told results positive but in less than 1% of sample (Gleason's 3+3=6)
Developed sepsis 2 days post-biopsy, seriously ill in hospital for 3 days
Dr. recommended robotic removal using da Vinci; Surgery 9/10/08
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL; Dr. Robert Nadler, Urologist/Surgeon
Post-Op Gleason's: 3+3, Tertiary 4; Margins: Free ; Bladder & Urethral: Free
Seminal vesicles: Not involved; Lymphatic/Vascular Invasion: Not involved
Tumor: T2c; location: Bilateral; Volume: 20%; Catheter: Removed 12-days after surgery
Incontinent: Yes (1 to 2 light (woman's style) pad per day)
ED: Combination of Cialis and MUSE (alprostadil) once weekly: started 9-27-08
Returned to work 9-29-08 (18-19 days post-op)
PSA test result, post-op, 10/08: 0.0; 12/08: 0.0; 4/09: 0.0; 9/09: 0.0; 3/10: 0.0; 9/10: 0.0