So Goes the Battle: April 2007

Sunday, April 22, 2007

April 3, 2007: A visit with Doctor

We did talk to another doctor who consulted with an oncologist and they agree the da Vinci procedure is an excellent option. I am scheduled for a chest x-ray, bone scan and pelvic CT scan Wednesday 4/4. These are precautionary to verify that I have no other cancer and this one has not escaped the prostate. There will be some additional blood tests, EKG, etc. and then into surgery either April 30 or May 14.

Saturday March 31, 2007

About two years ago I had an elevated PSA (prostate specific antigen) result, which led to a biopsy. It was negative. Since then I have had PSA re-run every six months.
In November of ’06 it was elevated again and I was referred to my urologist again. He was reluctant to do another biopsy since he did the last one. We ran a course of broad spectrum antibiotic to cover the chance it was caused by prostatitis. It was only of minor impact and he did another biopsy two weeks ago.
Well, Sally and I are facing another test. Wednesday I was diagnosed with Prostate Adenocarcinoma (prostate cancer). Doctor Goldrath said it is “a good cancer” to have.
The doctor is rather certain it is localized and of medium grade. We are weighing our options for treatment now. He said I was young (imagine that) for prostate cancer and should consider going for a cure now. The leading option (it seems to me) is a radical prostatectomy. It’s like an appendix; I don’t need it for anything.
If it is actually contained within the prostate envelop when they operate I will likely be cancer free, at least from the prostate aspect. If in the future I have a recurrence I will have more options after surgery than from External Beam Radiation or Seeding or Cryosurgery.
Although I really trust my urologist, I am going to get a second opinion in due diligence. Hopefully that can be done quickly and we can get scheduled right away. We will keep you up to date with our progress, if you like. If you prefer not just let us know. I tend to not see these things as big secrets and share in hopes that others can be familiar with how we find these things. I have worried in the past about how I would know if I had heart disease, skin cancer or lung cancer. We just don’t talk about our symptoms, or how we are feeling. If it is TMI (too much information) just say so; but take care and be watchful. It is good to catch these things early.

So Goes the Battle

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Sunday, April 22, 2007

April 3, 2007: A visit with Doctor

Saturday March 31, 2007