Going for Tulsa Pro Jan. 7th
I've posted here a few times over the last year and have read most of the posts from others. I was diagnosed in January 2024 through an ultrasound biopsy (it should have been MRI guided), followed by a PSA test CT scan, MRI, and Decipher test. My cancer is not aggressive, but there are three growths in my prostate. My doctors recommended a full ablation, and I’ve decided to go with the Tulsa Procedure at UCLA with Dr. Steven Raman.
I’ve waited until now because I believe Medicare will begin covering the procedure on the 1st. of 2025. Earlier this year, I switched from a Medicare HMO plan (Blue Shield) to Original Medicare with a supplemental plan, where Medicare covers 80% and the supplemental plan pays the remaining 20%. It’s been incredibly difficult to determine whether Medicare will actually cover the procedure, as I’ve received conflicting information. However, I think they will.
I considered going back to an HMO with United Health Plans, which includes UCLA physicians as in-network, but no one could guarantee that they’d cover the procedure either.
Anyway, I thought I’d document this journey. It begins on January 5th, when I’ll check into an Airbnb hotel near the procedure location. This is two days before the procedure. I’ll have to fast those 2 days and completely empty my stomach (I’ll spare you the details). In the best-case scenario, I’ll wake up with a catheter and a “burned out” prostate. I’ll need to wear the catheter for at least two weeks. Hopefully, they'll get it all 🙂
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
I wish you had kept notes too, lol. But great to know you are doing so well, gives hope to me and others who follow behind 😀
It's been 10 months since Tulsa procedure at Mayo Jax and I feel great as an 80 year old that was almost too OLD for the procedure. As above, most all functions related are back or better than prior to Tulsa. I do have many other issues that require meds, I put the list in ChatCPT which provided a "personalized medication daily schedule", which gave potential compatibility problems and side effect warnings. For me, a tool to better track start and stop dates and which of my 6 "..ologists" prescribed them, It also helped with advice that make it easier to control supply and reorder.
Excellent! Thank you so much!