YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

David Wallsly and M live in North Carolina, USA. He was 64 when he was diagnosed on January 25, 2010. His initial PSA was 5.6 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

PSA at yearly check-up two years ago was 4.6; normal DRE (Digital Rectal Examination).

I went in for a cold virus (Jan 2010) and GP decided to check PSA again. PSA was 5.6. One week later I was in Urologist office with another PSA showing 7.0 with 10% combined [not sure what David means here - maybe reference to a free PSA percentage - see PSA 101.] DRE was normal. One week later we had a Biopsy 12 cores. Results show 11 normal cores and one Right Mid with 5% total volume cancer Gleason 3+3.

My brother a diplomate Cardiologist was consulted and he checked with Urologist friends who recommended robotic prostatectomy by a Urologist in Celebration Florida. Wow I thought, my urologist originally during biopsy said my age used radioactive pellets. After biopsy he said since tumor was so small and appears to be isolated he said HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound), Watchful Waiting/Active Surveillance, or Localized Cryotherapy after doing another 20 biopsy plugs to check for any chance of spread. Did I mention biopsy don't hurt much but you have red(initial) to brown semen for over a month now (Not much mention of this in side effects literature).

He was against robotic removal but OK with regular removal (He did that procedure himself) He gave me a sheet saying robotic had twice as much salvage afterward. The urologists in Miami that my brother knew said that robotic with Doctors that have done many procedures is what they would recommend. To add to the confusion I now have read that Biopsy can spread the disease. I called the robotic doctors recommended and they told me to set up an appointment after eight weeks from biopsy and to have a stress test before procedure.

 

UPDATED

June 2010

 

 

In early February after my urologist suggested Watchful Waiting - Active Surveillance or Pellet implants - Brachytherapy ; I did my research on the internet and decided that the Da Vinci Robotics sounded good to me.

I called my brother who was a diplomate physician and told him about my condition. He called me back in a few days and told me he had spoken to a number of his friends that were Urologist and they all said go to Dr Vic Patel at the Global Robotic Institute in Celebration, Florida. He had done over 3,000 procedures which included cases that other surgeons had avoided. It was strange that he gave me that information for I had just that day spoken to Dr. Palmer at the Global Robotic Institute and he was sending me information on the procedures and tests that I needed to have done.

Prior to surgery I lost 40 pounds and did Kegels. My surgery was scheduled for late May and I met Dr. Patel one day prior to surgery. I was in for surgery at 7:30 AM and walking in the recovery room by 10:21 AM. I left the hospital 8:30 AM the following morning. I had walked in the hospital most of the night (Nurse testing keeps you awake) and had breakfast. Minor pain but no medication was needed. Catheter removed day 4 and home Day 5.

Pathology showed a new 5mm tumor undetected by biopsy which found a 2mm tumor. Gleason changed from 6(3+3) to 7(3+4) T1c to T2c, 20% organ involvement, negative margins, lymph,and nerves. Cancer was Organ contained.

Continence so far is only minor problem (one thin pad per day) with slight leakage late in afternoon or after eating all the stuff you should not eat. (Caffeine, wine with dinner). Erectile function has not returned so far. Erectile exercise for blood flow is daily pump and Viagra 50mg every other day.

The only surprise was a bit of mental depression for a few days after surgery. Walking 2 miles a day solved that problem. I am now back at work and feel 75% of what I did before surgery. Instructions are to avoid lifting for 4 to 6 weeks.

 

UPDATED

August 2010

 

 

One month PSA check and 3 Month PSA check came back at less than 0.01 or undetectable by test. Continency back to normal but ED is still a problem.

Physically I am back to 99% of pre-surgery strength and energy level. Normal activities and regular excercise now being done.

 

UPDATED

March 2011

 

 

Nine month post robotic surgery PSA test came in today with good news that PSA remains undetectable at 0.01 ng.

ED is still an issue but some improvement appears to be beginning with 100mg Viagra dosage. No effects with Cialis or MUSE.

No continence problems since end of first month.

General health is back to normal with improvements since I have been dieting and lost 50 pounds in the past year. Good PSA results sure help mental aspects of this disease.

David's address is: wellsd@tds.net