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Trying to decide on Radiation Treatment or Robotic Prostatectomy

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Posted 9/8/2011 9:51 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Fancy, glad to hear that you decided and went through with your choice but sorry to hear the robotic was hard on you. Mine went well but then you never know. Looks like a lot of things they told you did not work out the way they said. Looking back on the people who initially posted like Zufus, their words ring true now. I don't wish to cause you more concern than you already have but since you have already been burned with over optimistic pictures from some of the professionals, I hope you keep a close eye on you psa. 0.13 does not necessarialy throw up a red flag but it could have been better, I think. I you don't get in the zero club by 6 months, ie <0.1, I hope you thenb agressively pursue some advice from at least a couple of corners. Wishing you the best. Ron
Posted 9/9/2011 8:15 AM (GMT -5)
 

Hi Fancy,

I am now 3 months past my date with the robot. The one thing I have found out about PCa and treatment is that when it comes to side effects there is no normal as it seems every one of us with identical stats and treatments have totally different outcomes, so normal is there is no normal. I had no serious complications from my surgery other than a blocked catheter on day 3 from blood clots. I was working in 3 weeks and totally dry 2 1/2 weeks from the catheter removal, so I consider myself lucky. On the negative side mild pre surgery ED has become totall ED after surgery. Drugs have had so far zero effect in getting any erections, but my URO thinks this will improve over time. For now to have close to a normal erection I have to inject with Trimix and while my wife seems to be happy, the 2 hour erection has become annoying for achieving 5 seconds of a dry orgasm. However I still stand by my decision to have had RALP and knowing for at least the time being I am cancer free, only time will tell if I am cancer free for life. I think that your PSA at 6 weeks was a little premature and 90 days is much better. I asked my URO about the test at 6 weeks and he refused to take one as he said it needlessly worries PC patients if the result at 6 weeks is not bellow the 0.1 threshold for undetectable PSA. Hopefully you are one of those who is worrying needlessly for the next PSA test.

Terry TWG

Posted 9/9/2011 12:18 PM (GMT -5)

Fancy,

First, let me welcome you to the best site to get info/advice from fellow "affectees".

After my procedure (robotic surgery), the folks on this site were very helpful.

Second, you have to make the decision that is best for you. In my case, the doc felt that the PCA was contained within the capsule. I was not a proponent of radiation. My feelings were to go with surgery.........if my prostate didn't want me, then I didn't want it!

But that was for me!   Other folks have made different decisions, and that worked for them.

So, gather all the info you can.......and make the decision that is best for you.

Good luck!

Phillysub

Posted 3/11/2014 6:52 PM (GMT -5)
Good evening this is fancy,

Well the PSA is going back up and is now at 1.3 and I have gone to Cancer Center Treatments of America in Chicago for a second opinion. The doctor their recommended Harmone Therapy shots and two shots first and then one every 6 months.The first two shots were Degarelix and then in 30 days I go on something I believe is Lupron that last 6 months. After the PSA is down and stable he will let it rise and see how long it takes and maybe do some more scans then. He is telling me that your cancer get adjusted to the harmones and then by passed them and they no longer work and the average is 3 years and the longest he has seen them work is 5 to 10 years? I guess their are other drugs and treatment after that with special side affects. I was wondering if anyone know how long you can live after going on harmones and then the other treatment after that?

Thanks Fancy

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