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Posted 1/10/2014 3:11 PM (GMT -5)
Hope that subject line is not to morbid. I've gotten such great info from this site. I'm so nervous about this prostate removal. I'm 44. 4 of 12 positive. 3+3 6 gleason score. All scans clear. I'm at work. And all I can think of is missing my daughter's prom, graduation, college,marriage, children. And the list goes on. There is so much great information available here. But could I hear from you guys in your mid 40's that made it through this and got on with there life. I'm in Memphis tennessee. Da Vinci surgery at St Francis. Dr says he has done around 400 of these procedures. Psa was 2.87 when diagnosed. 1.8 last week. Thanks a lot. David B
Posted 1/10/2014 3:32 PM (GMT -5)
Just take a chill pill and call me in the morning.

You could probably put off surgery for another ten years and not make much difference... You'll be fine.

If your score was a 5+3 and your psa in the three digit category - we'd have a different conversation..
Posted 1/10/2014 3:39 PM (GMT -5)
David,
The word 'cancer' is so loaded with negative images that it's understandable to have those fears. It's a shock to the system to be told you have cancer and no doubt brings to mind a list of all the people you know who died from it.

But, PC is a bit different and so are your numbers. You've caught it early, have a low gleason score and every shot at a cure. I suspect you'll be around to embarrass your daughter before the prom, attend her graduation, dance with at her wedding and hear the joy of grandkids running lose in the house.

There is plenty of hope. I know that this is likely a tough time for you but hang in there - it gets better. It won't be fun getting to the other side and normal will change but you'll be here for a very long time to enjoy all that life has.

Keep us updated on your progress,
Andrew
Posted 1/10/2014 3:42 PM (GMT -5)
DDB44

I'm surprised you decided for surgery so soon! But with your stats, assuming they are also good after pathology, you'll likely never have to worry about PCa again. Good luck. Surgery is no big deal.

Bob
Posted 1/10/2014 4:00 PM (GMT -5)
David,

We have a couple of guys your age here but you will mostly hear from the old guys like me. We get youngsters like you here on the forum from time to time but they don't mostly stick around. They get treated. They get cured. They get to feeling better. They get on with their lives and they get outa here.

You are welcome to stay as long as you need us but I expect your stay will be brief.
Posted 1/10/2014 4:04 PM (GMT -5)
It would be interesting to know what the volume of cancer was in the three positive cores. Low volume versus high volume would be something important to consider when deciding on treatment options. It would also be worthwhile to get a second reading to corroborate the biopsy findings. And you should probably have a conversation about Active Surveillance to see if that's something that might work for you.

Having been where you are now, and with three years having passed, my view of treatment options has undergone some significant changes. As you'll see below, my stats were more serious than yours, but from my current vantage point, if I had to deal with your numbers, I would have been very slow to "pull the trigger" on treatment. Then again, at your young age, there's an argument to made for getting this taken care of while your body is young and recovers quickly. If those suggestions sound contradictory and confusing, well that's the way this disease is. Clear answers are hard to come by.

It's a tough call, that's for sure, and no one should ever second guess someone else's choice, so I would just encourage you to do your homework, (which you obviously have been doing) think carefully, come to a decision, and never look back.

Most importantly, unless something more sinister is hiding in the recesses of your prostate, you have a great future ahead of you, and I wish you all the best.
Posted 1/10/2014 5:02 PM (GMT -5)
Hi and welcome, sorry you need to be here,

 I thought I would weigh in even thou I'm 11 years older than you we have very similar #s I was diagnosed in April of 13 and had my surgery in late September. I'm doing quite well and fully expect to see the grandkids thru college,

 I was quite fortunate with the side effects and hopefully you will too.

 As others have said with our #s there is no reason to rush or panic (easy for me to say now that's it's behind me) but I opted to have the surgery now because from everything I read I would have a better chance of full recovery with less side effects the younger and better shape I was in (with everything else being equal i.e. surgeons talent).

  When I had my 3 month check up with my urologist just before Christmas my psa was <.003 he told my wife and I that this meant undetectable my wife then asked him if that meant I was in remission he said no it means he's cured, I know that it is not technically true for a few years but it was great to hear. tongue

hang in here you'll be fine.

all the best carl   

  

    

Posted 1/10/2014 6:51 PM (GMT -5)
DDB44,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. But based on the limited information you posted you have plenty of time to make a decision. Like mentioned earlier, the volume of cancer found in your cores is important. Also the location where the positive cores were found can be important in making a decision.

But just to let you know, I had daVinci robotic surgery 8 weeks ago and it hasn't changed my life one way or another. I was 99% dry and have 95% erectile function as I did prior to surgery. Orgasm are dry but they are as great as before surgery. And I got to admit, dry orgasms aren't bad at all.

Posting additional information on your biopsy can help to answer some questions.
Posted 1/10/2014 7:10 PM (GMT -5)
Would like to see some more data before a fuller comment.

With a Gleason 6, highly unlikely that you need to worry about not being around in the near future, or even distant future, in regards to your prostate cancer.
Posted 1/10/2014 7:42 PM (GMT -5)
DDB44, (David)

Sorry you have to be here.

I live in Bartlett (south of Kroger). Looking at my signature, I don't have much advice for you. I'd be happy to meet you and talk over coffee or lunch and be your friend or wingman! Let me know as I only work part-time.

Dave
Posted 1/10/2014 7:45 PM (GMT -5)
Its not to late to cancel surgery, read up on your specific stats, and use your head rather than your emotions. Someone said you could probably go 10 years, I'd wager 15 if ever. Get in touch with an oncologist or some one who specializes in Watchful waiting. You probably won't, be cause you want it out. I think its a mistake, but as someone else said, the same someone , I think, you will have surgery and never have to worry about it again. And hopefully your side effects from surgery will be minimal and you can worry about something else. I speak what I see's, hope it doesn't offend, but if it does, that s Kew too. Ps no second guessing here, the man posts for some reason, Ill answer for whatever that reason is , but will not support what I consider a mistake, tho I do hope whatever a man chooses works out for him positively.
Posted 1/10/2014 8:04 PM (GMT -5)
Hi David -

I was diagnosed back in April and had the surgery on July 1st. 6+ months post, I'm here to tell you that I'm very happy with my decision - no side effects, and so far PSA undetectable (just had my 2nd follow-up blood test - results next week).

In terms of surgery, most will agree that your success will depend on a certain amount of luck, coupled with the skill of your surgeon. 400 previous procedures might sound like a lot, but there are far more experienced surgeons out there - just make sure you've got the most skilled person you can find in your area. Mine had done over 1000, and I really believe it made a difference.

A positive attitude goes a long way as well - try to spend at least a little time contemplating a successful outcome - you may just turn out to be one of the lucky ones who walk away unscathed - there are a bunch of us out here. :)

DougInLA
Posted 1/10/2014 8:13 PM (GMT -5)
I'm 57, but I had the surgery, went back to work 5 days later - cuz I felt fine - have no side effects and maintain the goal of meeting all the GRANDCHILDREN of the youngest of my 6 children.
You have a very good chance of dealing with this and leaving it behind, and dying a very old man of something else. Be not afraid!
Mikey
Posted 1/10/2014 9:54 PM (GMT -5)
I'd definitely seek out more medical opinions, the numbers seem very low to rush surgery

The side-effects will affect you potentially for the rest of time.

it's generally a very slow disease process - so you have time to think
Posted 1/10/2014 11:39 PM (GMT -5)
From my reading of the threads originators post, the question isn't how goes it with a prostectemy, but is it necessary for him to do one. Many of the answers to this post could have been to anybody without any pca definitively, say a 21 y/o man who just wants to know whats it like to have prostectemy. What I'm reading is a plea from a terrified man, who has very little need to be that terrified, and most posters know this. So why be a cheerleader for someone who is rushing into treatment unnecessarily , out of fear and lack of knowledge. It would be more supportive, in the long run, in my view, to support him with facts, as we know them and glean as much information from DB44 to help him with the decision. DDB44 if you are only asking the simple question, tell me about a prostectemy, that is you have made your decision, then disregard this post and carry on. Bottom line you ain't gonna die of PCA with your stats period.
Posted 1/11/2014 2:21 PM (GMT -5)
Dude.... David.... Gotta say I agree with most of the posts above. Time is totally on your side although if I was having one of The most complex of surgeries performed on me, I would be looking for a surgeon that has done a couple thousand prostatectomy's. 400 sounds like a lot but it really is not. With you being so young, A botched surgery and possible subsequent radiation because he botched the surgery could give you problems for the rest of your life. You won't be dying of this disease. Take it from somebody whom most likely will. Relax take a chill pill calm thyself.
Posted 1/11/2014 6:57 PM (GMT -5)
Usually with four positive cores of Gleason 6 cancer doctors will tell a guy your age that he ought to get it treated, I think. Gleason 6 is the least aggressive, slowest growing cancer that a doctor will bother with at all. If you had one or two cores positive you'd be a good candidate for what is called "active surveillance". That is a wait-and-see approach where the doctors monitor the cancer very closely but hold off treatment until such time, if any, as the cancer does something alarming. Active surveillance is a very safe way to manage your cancer if you qualify for it. But with four cores positive I think most active surveillance programs wouldn't want you. You'll probably need to seek treatment. But that doesn't mean you need to make your decision in a screaming hurry. You have enough time to talk to a dozen doctors and you should certainly talk to a few more. Young guys do well with surgery -- usually -- at least compared to us older guys, but they also do well with radioactive seeds which may cause them fewer side-effects. You really oughta talk to a radiation oncologist who does brachytherapy before you pull the trigger. You have lots of time. Use some of it.
Posted 1/11/2014 7:43 PM (GMT -5)
David,
I was diagnosed at 43, 8 years ago, with a higher Gleason score, and I'm doing fine. I anticipate being around for my 13 yr old son going to college, and for being around to foot the bill!
I know exactly what you mean in terms of anxiety. It will get better.
Hang in there.
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