Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Re: Di VInci Surgery scheduled

Greg:

I too have consulted with Loma Linda regarding the Protron Radiation Treatment. I am in a fight right now with my insurance to provide this treatment.

I have not seen the surgery Video. I will research it.

I am glad to hear that you have no Noticable PSA. Unfortunatly my PSA was 10 so I really would like to move quick.

I still have the surgery scheduled for May 8th. But will take a look at the videos as you suggested

Wilbert

Re: Di VInci Surgery scheduled

Wilbert,

I am scheduled for a consultation with LL on May 4 with Dr. Rossi. My insurance has turned down proton therapy, but they have approved the consultation. I assume they want justification for pursuing this therapy, which I will give them after my visit with Dr. Rossi. As long as he can do this, they should approve. I will let you know what he has to say.

I just finished reading Bob Marckini's book and I would highly suggest you do that before your surgery. I would be happy to borrow you mine if you can not get one that quickly. The main symptom he had was a rising PSA. He puts together a very non-bias description of the process he went through to evaluate his diagnosis.

In the end you still need to make your own dscision. I wish you well.

Greg

Re: Di VInci Surgery scheduled

Greg:

I have just read Bob Marckini's book as you recommended and I have previoulsly also read Dr. Patrick Walsh's from John Hopkins.

Each book says that there treatment is the best(?). My main symptom is also a high PSA.

I have an appointment on May 4th with my Urologist for the pre surgical workup and examine. As I mentioned the surgery is scheduled for May 8th. My urlogist Dr. Tamaddon has done around a 1000 of the Di Vinci procedures at Kasiser in in West L.A. so I am not concerned about his experence with the procedure. I know it will be an uphill fight with Kaisier HMO to get them to pay for the Prothon treatment. In the mean time the PCa could be spreading.

Before I comment ot surgery I will discuss this Prothon treatment otption at my appointment on May 4th.

Wilbert

Re: Di VInci Surgery scheduled

Wilbert,

Yes, you are moving too fast. Yes, your PC may be spreading, but likely not so fast that you cannot take the time to understand the outcomes.

On April 18 I got the results of my PSA. On May 14 I had my biopsy. On July 7 I had my surgery. I moved too fast.

I now believe that you should not be hoping that or counting on the experience of your doctor to somehow beat the numbers. Already now, even before surgery, you should be planning on how you will deal with ED. It is easy and reasonable to say, "get the cancer out, we'll deal with the rest as it comes." It is wonderful that you have a supportive spouse. So do I. But I will tell you, ED hits you harder than you even now can fathom. I'm cancer free since the surgery--and there are days that I want my prostate back, even diseased, I want it back. The absolute frustration of ED is a daily thing. The depression that comes with ED is real.

You're running on fear. We hear "Cancer" and it ramps us up like few things can. I know, I had a front seat on fear's roller coaster ride.

My doctor was great, one of the most experienced in the area, working out of one of the best facilities in the area. Both nerve bundles were spared. Surgery was uneventful, recovery was uneventful. I am no longer in diapers, pads are still a once and awhile safety net. While mostly continent, I think about, plan, and leave allowance for peeing every day. I can't drink a glass of water without taking into account when or where I will be when I have to pay the price.

Wilbert, it is not if you will be incontinent, but for how long and to what degree you will get something back that you can count as control? There will be a new "normal"--what can you live with. It is not if you will have ED, but what is your, and your doctor's plan to deal with ED?

Wilbert, you ask if you're moving to fast, guys have been giving you great answers, but it doesn't sound like you are listening when they say "yes, you are." I understand. I didn't want to hear either. I wanted guys to say, "no, run and get your operation," and when they didn't agree with me, I didn't listen either.

Read my entry on the experience page. I am more like your experience than not. Had I to do it all over again, I would rather deal with the diet and testing regimen of active surveillance than what I am dealing with now.

Stop, slow down, listen.

Peace,

ScotK

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