44yr PSA180 Gleason9 non-metastatic. Surgery or Treatment?

Navy here also. Not diagnosed yet but prostate 63cc, PSA 9.7, MRI shows significant cancer present RADS 4. I decided to not get a biopsy.

BIG DEAL: sailors suffering cancer from exposure to AFFF. If you ever did REFRAY training in Cuba or went to Orlando for boot - check it out if you haven't heard of it. Huge lawsuit underway.

Hi @csbarry,

sorry to hear about your situation. I am not gonna tell you what to do in your situation, but the biopsy will definitely confirm it and also how much.
As for the time in the Navy, I am of the newer gen type. I went for boot in Great Lakes. Never made to Cuba or Orlando while on active duty.
However I did get my cancer rated as service connected due to my deployments in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf.
If you are not yet rated, let me know and I can get you in touch with one VSO who is on another cancer support group, and he helped me get my PCa rated at 100%. You can also contact me via private message.

Be strong and stay positive.
Dinu

Ok. Cool
I am 100 already. In the pentagon on 9/11. Worked for the Chairman of the JS.
Peace bro
C

Hi all,

quick update on my case.
I have my RARP scheduled for 26.03.2026. Two weeks countdown.
I did some pre-surgery labs and i am happy cause my PSA finally dropped below 4. I have 3.15. Testosterone is less than 0.24.
I will be getting the surgery at the Martini Klinik (UKE) in Hamburg, Germany. Even with the German health insurance I still have to pay 2000Euros ($2302) since this is a private clinic and I am hoping that they will be able to do some nerve-sparring.

I am mentally and physically ready.

Stay strong and be positive.
Dinu

@dinu Wishing you speedy recovery!

From our personal experience, t's mind-blowing experience to deal with each German hospital's billing departments. So far, we've been to 5 hospitals for cancers and other illnesses. They seem to have their own policy regarding to private patients (international or domestic). We're in situation where they consider us local for living in Germany and having German address, but international for having American health insurance(using their international plan). I always have to contact the billing department to verify their policy: billing insurance directly, paying deposits for procedure, paying bills that came by mail, or paying entire fees in advance.

@dinu I had my surgery at 58yo and did really well, but did not get much instruction about rehab. I just started using trimix 7 years post-surgery, which works great, but I think if I had known more about rehab I wouldn't need it. I think one important thing to remember is that your body may need some time to settle down - I have read sometimes a year or more. On the other hand, I have read stories of guys having great erections a month out. Everyone's journey is a little different. I think my body was responding better 2 years out. Looking back, I wish I had known to ask for meds to increase blood flow. I did get a vacuum device. My doctor said there was no real evidence that they help, but then I have heard other docs advising their use.

Hello everyone,

I am back on earth after my surgery on 26.03. Where to begin....!?!?

First off, for those new to the tread I live in Germany amd I do have german health insurance. Nonetheless, I chose to go to a private clinic ( Martini Klinik) in Hamburg where I ended up paying 2000 Euros for RARP, with a one week stay in the clinic post op and discharged without the catheter.
While I was there for the post op recovery I did inquire about how much would cost for someone that comes from other country amd have to pay for the most expensive treatment package.
SHOCKER:
25000 Euros (approx US $30k). Keep in mind that this clinic is the best clinic in Europe, and all they do is prostate cancer surgeries. They have 7 operating rooms and 15 professors (surgeons) on permanent staff. It is also rated among the best in the world as there are many international patients there. Considering some of the cost in US I think this is a very doable alternative where you could also have huge financial benefits ( not ha ing to break the bank to get treated).
Back to my status. I am 10 days out and fully mobile( walking 30 minutes without any issues, taking the steps several stories up and down)
I did have some pain in the scrotum are post discharge but it was well handled with the given medication.
Incontinence was expected, I am changing 4 pads in 24 hours.
Yesterday I did experience a bit of "erection", meaning that my penis went from the shriveled status it has been since the surgery to almost the full normal length and the it enlarged in diameter to almost full erection diameter.
I had RARP with daVinci multi port (6 entry points) the main cut is about 2 inches in lenght and all the other ones are less than 1 inch in lenght.
Starting day 2 after surgery I had no pain at the surgery sites.
The main pain was I my shoulder. For those not aware, during the daVinci multiport the tilt you head down 35degrees during the whole surgery. If you opt for the single port it is only 15degrees tilt.
While at the clinic they have staff (nurses and doctors) in station 24 hrs in 3 shifts.
Food is provided 3 times a day. For those with private status (if you come from outside of Germany) you get your own private room which bigger that a lot of hotwl room I have been to. Other wise you share the room with one other guy.
The level of attention I have received left me with my jaw openI have been in hospitals in the states and in Germany, but this was at a total different level.
They also offered psychological assistance on site and provide rehabilitation services via other centers in Germany.
All in all I am super pleased with the outcome of the surgery. I am glad to be back on the forum and i am waiting my pathology ( biopsy) results to see what treatment will I need post op.

I am going to make a separate post about Martini Klinik.

To all stay strong and be positive.

@dinu

Best Wishes on your recovery. Thanks for sharing the information.

Thanks for your upcoming info about the facility.

Blessing to you as you recover.