Mark
K and Tracey lives in Maryland USA. He was 46 when he was diagnosed in May, 2009.
His initial PSA was 13.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 (3+3) and he was staged
T1c. His choice of treatment was Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy. Here is his
story.
Had elevated PSA during January, 2009 annual physical (13); 3 week
course of antibiotics resulted in PSA of 12.0. Previous PSA 5 years earlier of
1.2 at age 41; father died at age 66 of metastasis of prostate cancer. Biopsy
early May 2009 resulted in 5/12 cores positive with cancer.
Bethesda MD
Urologist recommended Da Vinci; I was not comfortable with his level of experience
or his recommendation for treatment based on my extensive research. Sent an email
to the "Godfather of Urology" Dr. Patrick Walsh at Hopkins explaining my situation
and my uncertainty between types of treatment, specifically robotic vs. open.
Dr. Walsh called me back personally the next morning and discussed my case comprehensively;
what a consummate professional! He recommended open surgery, and stated he would
be happy to do my operation, but suggested I speak to his protégé at Hopkins,
Dr. Ted Schaeffer, who does 150 prostatectomies annually, fairly equally split
between robotic and open, to help me make my decision. I agreed and met with Dr.
Schaeffer on May 1.
Dr. Schaeffer was amazing, and the experience at Hopkins
was unmatched in my lifetime of medical encounters. After a lengthy discussion,
I concurred with Dr. Schaeffer that an RRP would be best for me; everything felt
right. Further, Dr. Schaeffer agreed to delay a rare vacation to do my surgery
the following Saturday, June 13.
I showed up at Hopkins at 5.30am the following
Saturday and I was in the recovery room awake by 9.30 or so, surgery complete.
Everything went well in surgery, including complete nerve sparing. I checked out
of the hospital the following day, Sunday, to begin my recovery. Yesterday, June
17th, I got the call from Dr. Schaeffer regarding my pathology; YAHOOO... clear
margins all around, no lymph node involvement; the cancer was upgraded to Gleason
7 (3+4).
I have to deal with this damn catheter for 5 more days, then out
come the staples and catheter, and life can go on. Recovery is going well, and
the phone call regarding pathology was a dream come true, validating my decision
process. Again, I couldn't be happier with Hopkins, and especially Dr. Schaeffer.
Not sure what the future holds, but I'm looking forward to dealing with it cancer
free. As Dr. Walsh says, "you can buy continence and sexual function, but clear
margins are priceless." Sorry if this sounds like an ad for Hopkins, but my experience
has been that good, especially considering an initial diagnosis less than 2 months
ago.
Mark's e-mail address is: m1e2k3@hotmail.com
