New Member - same old decision

I am 56, was healthy (lol) love playing w/ my grandkids (2,4) ride m/c ; active in church ; self employed;

Thankfully we have a additional cancer policy (my wife's idea)

I was dumb not to have a complete physical for years until July 2010.

Aug.'10, psa 5.1 ; Nov.'10 Biopsy no PC (probably missed per Urologist)

June'11, psa 7.9 ; July'11 had 2nd. Biopsy &  found PC- 1/14 cores; Gleason 6; T1c PC.  I am trying to decide treatment ??

I REALLY /Trust  my Urologist (who is a thyroid cancer survivor)

He referred me to Robotic Dr. @ who has performed over 2,ooo RRP.

I felt he cared & very experienced & a big Rehab.dept. @ Urologist

Cent./ Ala.  w/ support groups.

I also met 2 weeks ago with a very exp. Radiologist/Oncologist who

spent much time w/ me & wife (cardiologist RN) . I really like Dr. F. 

informed about IMRT (didn't try to sell me) & may / could be little less chance of ED side effects.???

(am already having to take 5mg.Cialis to "perform" most of time)

I am a little nervous -if ANY PC treatment will push me over (ED)edge?

I also talked to several men who went through Rad. Prost. & several who went through IMRT / BrachyT. Most were happy w/ their choices.

Have read JHopins."choosing right cancer treatment" Internet, blogs like these. MD Anderson & Mayo & Univ. Fla. Proton etc, etc.

Maybe I have lots of information but am nervous about pulling the trigger / @ Best/Affordable  treatment for me. I want to be cancer free FIRST. THen I worry about Cancer return / Arizona? Then: Inc / ED. issues.; Breachy. was a non starter as I couldn't play / read books to GKids for 2 mths . some info said.

SO????

I apprecate any advice from my PC (survivor) Brothers

Freeedm

Welcome to HW, and as always, we would just as soon not see anyone need to be here.

You might want to check for a book by John P. Mulhall, MD - Saving Your Sex Life (2010). It addresses how the major treatments impact sexual functions. He also has some related video presentations that you can find on line (they may be linked through Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center).

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/94910.cfm

I wanted to do seeds (brachy), but was considered too far along. I wound up choosing surgery, and followup IGRT. For me, the ED is complete due to the extent of the surgery.

I would ask for more detail on the issues of brachy. I was also that limitations included not to have anyone in my lap for a time, and not to snuggle a pregnant woman, but not being around children at all was not a warning. Mind you that there are two different types of seed, and the radioactive half-lives are very different.

Don't rule out Brachy because of the grandkids. You need to ask your radiologist to go into more detail for you. You can still read to them....they just can't sit directly in your lap for a while.  BT is a good option for you as a Gleason 6 and the 4-6 weeks of being careful with the grandkids is worth the reduced side effects. (I do understand the concern since I had a 2.5 year old grandchild at the time I had BT). 

Also, if you decide on BT, you can buy a lead lap pad on the internet that provides additional protection for small children. In fact, I still have mine and will send it to you if you decide to go the BT route. My email contact info is in my profile.

You will make a good decision. You have done your homework and have ranked your prioities.