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Thanks for your input. The surgeon is the bottom line. Being comfortable with him/her is a definite plus. Yeah, I'll email you later and I'll express to you my concerns etc. I do agree with you whole heartedly: GET THE CANCER OUT PERIOD AMEN. Thanks for your input and responding.
In December I had DaVinci assisted surgery in Washington , DC. I had discussed the options: open vs. robotic, with a friend who had open prostate surgery by the dean of Washington Urologists two years previously. Since my surgery, we have been comparing results.
The outcomes were identical in terms of removing the cancer, (3+4=7, T2c, N0 MX)no cancer in seminal vesicles or lymph nodes, PSA undetectable.
The only difference we had, is that my recovery & discomfort was 1/4 his. I was walking in the evening of the surgery and home without pain medications the next noon. After a month, my incontinence was minor, only a few drips when straining.
To echo the advice of the other respondents, get a surgeon (open, lap or robotic) who has done over 400 procedures. There are many out there.
Best wishes for whatever path you choose as it will be the right one "for you".
A cancellation in Dr. Kawachi's office. I just got the call to see if I would come in tomorrow morning (2/13). My appointment was to see him next week, 2/20. He's the doc I hoped for. Over 1,000 DaVinci surgeries and at one of the top cancer hospitals in the country. Things just have a way of working out. What I've read and learned: Big hospital, skilled surgeon. Dave
