THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

I have been lurking for a while - this is a great place.

As a result of one time episode of peeing blood in May 2009, my doctor referred me to an urologist. The ordered some tests such as PSA, urine analysis, CT Scan and scheduled a return visit for a cystoscopy. He also did a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) which he said felt unusual on the right side and he'd consider doing a biopsy after getting the results of the other tests and doing the cystoscopy. All the tests came back normal , even the dreaded cystoscopy. He redid the DRE and said he still felt firmness on the right side as opposed to the left side. He said it was best to do a biopsy even with a low PSA of 1.3.

Biopsy was done August 31, 2009 - perhaps it was pre-procedure Valium that I asked for, but the biopsy was painless compared to the cystoscopy. On September 21, 2009, had my return revisit with urologist to go over results. Three of the twelve cores positive - all on the right side - Gleason 6 with all less than 25%. He went over my options and scheduled a follow up appointment to discuss once the shock wore off. I immediately started researching everything in site and found this great site. I have been in contact with several great folks here who have been very helpful.

I started out wanting anything but surgery. My urologist suggested surgery but said that given my low PSA and Gleason score, I had several options that all seemed to be successful. I scheduled appointments at three large hospitals in Philadelphia. I have been to Thomas Jefferson - Dr Lallas, Fox Chase - Dr Greenberg and UP - Dr Lee. Given my age and relatively good health, the radiologist I saw even leaned towards surgery. What concerns me about the non surgery approach - radiology is the possibility of secondary organ cancer down the road. Although this might be 15-20 years down the road, I would only be 70-75 at that time and it may be presumptive on my part but based upon family history, I am planning to be around for at least another 30 years.

I've reached the placed of wanting it out - I don't have the temperament for constant monitoring. It may be strange but I feel blessed to be diagnosed with such a low PSA. If not for the DRE , I could have been walking around this for years without knowing and if it had progressed, my options and prognosis at that age might be cut tremendously.

Have decided to have robotic surgery in January 2010 with Dr David I Lee, Chief of the Division of Urology at Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center and assistant professor of surgery, Division of Urology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. I felt very comfortable with Dr Lee who has done about 2,000 of these procedures. He took the time to answer my questions and was easy to talk to. My only concern is my weight - although I've lost about 25 lbs since April due to exercise and diet, I still weigh about 255 at 5'9". The surgeon at the first place raised this as a possible complication for robotics and said he'd start it but would convert to open if needed. The second surgeon said it might be a problem but probably not. Dr Lee did not see it as a problem. He has the procedure down to a 2- 3 hr procedure which helps minimize the stress of the inversion during surgery. I am interested in hearing from anyone that has used Dr Lee or has had any experience with any of the facilities in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. Thanks and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions I might be able to answer during your journey.

Underwent robotic surgery with Dr David Lee on January 13, 2010 , home the next day. Started to get nervous about a week before as this was my first surgery , his office prescribed an anti-anxiety med that really did the trick.

Surgery was non eventful, wheeled into the operating room, looked around (didn't even see the robot) breathed into a mask and woke up in the recovery room. Dr says things went well, spared nerves and thinks he got everything.

Please feel free to email me with any questions Thanks.

It has been ten months since my surgery. My nine month blood test was also undetectable. No incontinence issues and ED is going well.

Please feel to contact me.

Ray.

It has now been more than two years since my diagnosis and 22 months since my surgery . Things are well - PSA remains undetectable.

Coming up on three years - all is well.

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

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