THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2015 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

My name is Raf, and I was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2010. Before I was diagnosed, I had a second biopsy in two years. The first biopsy obviously missed the cancer. My new urologist felt the need to do another one because my PSA level had steadily crept up from 4 to 8 over that two year span. So, he came back with the news to let me know that I had been carrying it for two years, but that it was a slow moving cancer based on the Gleason score of 6, and that my chances were very good once I had the prostate removed. My urologist recommended that I have the prostate removed.

I had an enlarged prostate. I am also an avid cyclist. So, after my last bike ride in 2010, which was Bike MS, a 100 miler from Vegas to Mesquite, in honor of Muscular Sclerosis patients, I decided to go with my urologist's recommendation to have Dr. Josephson, from City of Hope, perform the surgery. First, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Josephson to anyone that has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is the VERY BEST there is in his field. He recommended the Da Vinci Robotic system, of which he has performed over 500 successful prostate surgeries. The Da Vinci method means less blood loss, shorter recovery time, smaller incisions, and less chance of nerve damage. [There is no good evidence, demonstrated by independent studies that all these statement are correct.] I was almost assured that everything would be okay after it was all said and done.

I immediately scheduled an appointment with him at City of Hope in Azusa, California. The very same day, Dr. Josephson personally called me. He gave me a sense of inner peace from the day that I spoke with him on the phone. I knew from that moment that I would come out of this GOLDEN! I had the surgery on the November 17, 2010, and I was under his care for a day and a half. The next day, my wife and I were on our way home. Yes, that first week was a tough week, but very quickly, I started to come around. Once the catheter was taken out, I began to feel back to normal. The exercises that they stress were very helpful as well. [Presumably this refers to Kegel exercises] Dr. Josephson told me no exercise or biking for 6 weeks! Today is February 4th, 2011, and since January 2, I am back to riding my bike again, and I am working out like before (P90X and Insanity).

I also went in to see my urologist in January, and my first PSA test came back zero. The pathology report after my surgery stated that margins were clear and no sign of spread beyond the capsule. The cancer was confined only to the prostate gland itself.

I have no complications. There is a very small amount of leakage here and there every now and then, but nothing that I am really concerned about at all. I know that it will completely be gone and it will get 100% better. I don't have any problem with ED. Every now and then, I will take a Cialis or Viagra, but that is rarely. Overall, I am extremely happy and very satisfied, especially knowing that one of the best doctors in the world performed the surgery. I am very grateful for Dr. Josephson and his wonderful staff.

I give all the Glory to Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Without Him, I would not be where I am today.

Raf mailed me to clarify a point from this story. He said:

I DO NOT HAVE ED, and I DON'T HAVE LEAKAGE. At the beginning, there was a very small amount, but that is all gone now.

As of 7/1/2012, everything is good. No side effects, PSA levels are at 0, and for the most part, I am able to do the normal things a man enjoys. I am very happy that I made the decision to do the surgery back on November of 2010.

As of September 2013, my PSA level is at 0.

Raf's e-mail address is: radraf02 AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Raf has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.