My husband and I just returned from Johns Hopkins and visit with Dr. Carter. Husbands PSA was 7.2, 1 out of 27 samples positive with a gleason score of 6. We went there thinking to schedule surgery but came away with mixed feelings . I guess that we wanted someonelse to make the surgery decision for us. This just didn't happen . We were presented with the option for "watchful waiting" as opposed to surgery, an option that we had not considered. We also left the biopsy slides with the pathology dept. there and will get those results in 2 weeks.

My husband is pretty set on the surgery, feeling that his chances of cure are better with it as the cancer seems to be in the very early stages.

Have any of you had to struggle with this decision? Please share your feeling with us as we hope to have a decision made when the pathology report from Johns Hopkins is complete. If you are in a "watchful waiting "program , how long have you been in the program and how is it going for you.

If we fly to Baltimore for the surgery and the hospital stay is 3 days , do you think that my husband will be able at that time to fly back to N.C. or should we plan to stay a few extra days at a hotel there before coming home?

This probably sounds pretty unfocused but that's where we are at the moment .

Thanks.

Hi Raku2day,

I do not know anyone that did watchful waiting. I think what procedure is followed, somewhat depends on age. My FIL, had a hormone rod inserted in his arm - lasts 1 yr. It worked. But, I hear that each consecutive hormone rod works less time and then lesser amount of time. Again, depends on age and situation. He is 90.

Hope this helps some. I am sure you will get more advice later from others.

Good Luck, Wannabe

Hi Raku2day. I believe you indicated in a prior post that your husband is 58. At his relatively young age, I would personally not choose watchful waiting. Although the cancer is typically very slow-growing, it will still be there until you do something to eliminate it. Although the surgery carries some risks, and after-effects are substantial, the continuing risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body is more than I could tolerate. I was diagnosed at age 55, with PSA 4.1 and Gleason 6 (3+3). I also saw Dr. Carter at Hopkins, and chose to have him perform RRP, and I have not regreted the decision. The difficult part of all this is that it is ultimately pretty subjective. From what I have seen, the long-term survival rates are just as good with watchful waiting as with any of the other treatments, so it depends on your ability to live with the idea that you have a cancer growing in you. Regarding post-surgical travel, I would say that your husband should be able to make the trip to NC when he is released. I was fortunate enough to be able to ride home in the car, but it was a 2-hour trip. I was pretty uncomfortable bouncing along on the Baltimore streets, and was pretty tired when I got home, but I made it in good order and was really happy to be back in my own bed. Having said that, I don't think it would be a bad idea to stay in Baltimore for another night or two if you have the option. Hopkins offers discounted rates at several area hotels, and if there were to be any post-surgical complications, you would be there for treatment. Again, it's pretty subjective, and you just have to weigh out the various factors and see what works best for you. Good luck with your decisions, let us know what you and your husband decide.

I had an RRP at Hopkins and Dr. Carter. The hospital and surgeon were wonderful! How old is your husband? I know Hopkins is doing some study on watchful waiting, but only if they fit certain criteria.

I was 48 at time of surgery and similar gleason, etc. I had surgery Monday and flew back to Louisiana either Friday or Saturday (one day extra in hotel). You have chosen the top urology hospital !

ItzMe2

Thanks for all your replies.

I feel that my husband had decided to have the surgery and I will support him in whatever decision he makes. The "watchful waiting" option probably applies to him in that he is type II diabetic and has had corotid artery surgery a couple of years ago . Considering all this I guess that he would fit the "watchful waiting" group. Still we feel that if there is a chance that he would need the surgery in the future then it would be best to go ahead with it now when the cancer is in the early stages and just work like "heck" to control the diabetes and stay" heart healthy" with diet and exercise.

We'll let you know .

Thanks again.

I'm 53 and the choice for me was obvious. Gleason 6, 1/12 cores with microscopic abnormality, non-palpable PC. Who wants to wait and watch that? I was told that it could possibly be as long as 15-20 years before it would become a threat but was reminded that nowadays, there's still some good years left in many a 73 year old. I had the RRP 10 month's ago in SC by Dr. Carter (J-H's Carter's brother) and don't regret it. I'm 100% continent (except when aroused then there's a leak sometimes) and about 75% potent. That's on the upswing, too. Oh yeah, 0.0 PSA three times in a row.

DB

Being that you are from "God's Country" there in Carolina, you may want to check out the cancer center at Duke University. Your hubby (given his previous medical history) may be an excellent candidate for the robotic laproscopic radical procedure or similar procedure. Minimally invasive surgery, as you know, is also being performed at John Hoplins in addition to their Gold Standard "RRP, nerve sparring surgery. Depending on where you live in Carolina, there are also two guys doing the robotics in the Norfolk area, one Dr. at UVa and Dr. Simon Chung at Fairfax Inova Cancer Center in Fairfax, Va.

Sounds as though you have the time to do the research and to make a very informed decision. As others have said more eloquently than me, learn as much as you can, make a decision on treatment and go for it. One thing I have learned during my own battle with the beast, there is a great feeling once the sucker is out of you. Best wishes and keep us informed. I agree with many others, WATCHFUL WAITING at a young age makes no logical sense. I had robotic surgery 8 weeks ago (age 56) and despite some real issues with contenance and potency ... things are improving now (almost daily) and it will take time to regain full fuction of both, but in the final analysis, it's worth these inconveniences to be rid of the beast.

Congrats to you RedRanger for "getting it done". Can't wait till next month to see my first 00.0 PSA score. :bouncing:

Thom in VA.