Worse than cancer - Cancer: Prostate Message Board

laswell · 11-11-2007, 08:56 AM

My silence on the board since my bad pathology report has been due to a family tragedy. Our son took his own life just before we returned from my out of town surgery. Therefore, instead of concentrating on my recovery we were instead making all the necessary phone calls and arrangements. We are devasted emotionally and physically drained. There are no words to express our sadness. I completely repressed my illness through this horrible period. We are only now beginning to return to the matter of my prostate cancer. We appreciate your prayers and thoughts.

My recovery from the da vinci surgery has seemed to progress okay. I start work tomorrow. Still going through some pads but gaining some control. Erectile function seems to be okay. It is very depressing to me to now begin the search for radiologist oncologist and GU oncologist. My first PSA test will be in about 6 weeks. It has been recommended to proceed with discussing/locating resources in case the PSA results are not good. I noticed several guys going through the same stage that I am at with trying to decide if and when radiation is appropriate. Obviously I would not be as concerned if not for the positive margin, T3 tumor and the extraprostatic extension.

Any recommendation for experienced oncologists in the Dallas- Fort Worth area would be appreciated.

I will once again lean heavily upon my friends from this forum.

Thanks so much.
Laswell

Age 55
PSA 3.9
Gleason 3+3=6
T2
Biopsy 7/16/2007
3 of 12 (2@<1.0mm / 1@2.0mm
Da Vinci 10/17/07
1.5 hr.by Fagin
Saved both nerve bundles
New Gleason grade 3+4=7
Positive pathology - margin - focally involved left anteropical
Extraprostatic extension - focally identified
Paths stage pT3a, NX, MX

PSA in 6 weeks

daff · 11-11-2007, 09:47 AM

I cannot imagine the sadness you must feel. My sympathies are with you.
It's difficult to deal with results from surgery under the best of circumstances, so this must be extremely hard.
As you move forward, please consider proton radiation as part of your treatment. There are five centers doing this in the U.S., one being in Texas.
I'm currently finishing my treatments at University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville. I know that both this here and Loma Linda deal primarily with prostate cancer, while treating other types as well.

CRS907 · 11-11-2007, 11:26 AM

las, i'd been looking for another posting from you. i'm so sorry to learn of your loss; i cannot imagine the devastation you must be enduring.

i hope your looking into radiation therapy goes well. my only experience with this is anecdotal: that guy at the office who had a short course of external radiation when he didn't get to undetectable after surgery. worked perfectly for him.

i marvel at your quick return to work -- took me eight weeks. and your ED [or lack of it] is amazing. i'm very gradually getting to more E, less D. so different from the urinary control which was much quicker to return, and in discrete recognizable increments.

Holly387 · 11-12-2007, 06:45 PM

Laswell,

I've been worried about you but had no clue. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Debbie