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Pre-surgery Predictions
The doctors have used MRIs, biopsies and pet scans to determine that either radiation therapy or surgery is warranted and a positive outcome is “likely”.
I’ve chosen the robotic surgery. My fear is that we’ll find out after the surgery that things are out of hand. Do I just go with “likely” and suck it up until after surgery? It’s in 10 days. The anxiety is running like a finely tuned engine. Also, any info on NYC based groups would be appreciated. Someplace to talk face to face with those that have gone through this.
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I also had much anxiety before my surgery, really for most of the year prior to my surgery. Anxiety is part of the process seems like. For me things looked better coming out of the surgery than they looked going in. I was undetectable at 3 months and am optimistic that I will be undetectable at 6 months. All I can do is focus on one step at a time, let tomorrow take care of itself. Wishing you the best!
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3 ReactionsUnfortunately, you have given us no information that would let us say what we think.
What was the result of your biopsy? What was your Gleason score? What’s your most recent PSA, or PSA at diagnosis.
Are you on any drugs yet?
Have you had a decipher test?
Were any of these things found in the biopsy intraductal, ductal, large cribriform, Seminal vesicle invasion, EPE or ECE. (Extraprostatic extensions extra capsular extensions). They can make the cancer much more aggressive.
You have to realize that everybody is different. Talking with somebody that even has a similar case may give you no idea about what’s going on in your situation.
There is a group called ancan.org That has a meeting next Tuesday at 6 PM your time. Between 40 and 50 people show up At most meetings (they are weekly) there’s always three or more doctors. People that live in your area will be there. If you get there 10 minutes early, they will go over your case details and give you advice. They have been doing it for over 15 years. You have to install GoTo meeting On your device, And you’ll be able to see everybody there. You could go to the website and review previous meetings to see what’s going on.
@ridersup
Cornell Weill has a patient program that allows volunteer patients to talk to potential patients. I had a video consultation with an RO at Cornell Weill and was able to talk to a patient about their experience with radiation.
Appreciated. Thanks
@jeffmarc
Thank you sir.
@jeff1963
One step at a time—agreed. I have to gain a bit of ground on that front using the usual methods like keeping my hands busy and my feet moving while trying to wrap my head around the physical realities my version of disease comes with. I appreciate the time you and the others took on my behalf.
Thanks
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2 ReactionsAs @jeff1963 noted, anxiety (and second guessing) is part of the process.
Your testing has led you to a treatment decision and you have made one.
Try to have confidence, or at least comfort. Both Prostatectomy and Radiation have similar long term results and your thoughts have led you to surgery.
I chose surgery for my Gleason 9, and I needed salvage radiation treatment (SRT) to the pelvic floor and pelvic lymph nodes immediately thereafter because my PSA was detectable at .19 post-op (called "persistent").
Since completing both treatments, thankfully I have been undetectable at < .02, working on almost 3 years now. And I have no regrets with my decisions.
Best wishes for a comfortable decision and successful treatment.
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