The urologist tells you your diagnosis, gives you two options (surgery or radiation), then says hey, it's your choice! My journey started this way about 5 months ago. My choice? What? It was like hitting a brick wall. True that urologists are surgeons, so surgeons talk about surgery. True that radiation oncologists know radiation, so they talk about radiation treatment. Oh, then you discover multiple radiation treatments, and each of those have nuances and rapidly emerging technologies. The sheer amount of information is overwhelming and makes you want to scream.

Just start doing research (this forum is excellent for personal and medical research). I wish I had gotten a second opinion from a Medical Oncologist who is neutral on radiation vs surgery, but I didn't, just researched everything with an open mind and tried to ignore professional biases. Once you see and hear it enough you start to understand the terminology and then the overwhelming amount of information turns into resources to inform your decision. Get second opinions. Ask all the doctors you talk to "why"? Why do you choose this approach and method? What are the most recent medical research papers that you trust and what are the links so I can read them too? Who do you think are the leaders in the field right now and how do I access their videos or web sites? Get second opinions with some of those Drs. After a while the best direction for you will become clear.

Take your time, make sure you understand the treatment options as deeply as YOU need, keep coming back to this forum to ask questions or just read what others have said. I researched my decision thoroughly. Six weeks of agonizing indecision, then one day the direction suddenly became clear and focused. In that I felt a calm. And keep coming back to this forum.

My neighbor took a PSA test after he heard about my diagnosis ... he stuck with his urologist's direction from day one without question and now, 6 weeks later, is almost done with his treatment and I'm only just beginning. Is my decision-making any better than his? Heck if I know, but I do know that I AM super comfortable with my decision and comfortable that I'm doing the best thing for ME.

Take a breath, take your time, do your research, be comfortable with your doctors and your treatment decisions. Keep coming back to this forum. Wishes for a long healthy life to you, my friend.