YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Richard Lee and Millie live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He was 74 when he was diagnosed in September, 2009. His initial PSA was 13.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and although he says he was staged T2, this is likely his pathological staging and his clinical staging was T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I don't see much about men my age or older. [I suggested to Richard that if he checked the 'over 70' Index he might find some]. My Primary doctor feels I'm a young 74 (75 in Feb) and I should have a Prostatectomy. I see my Urologist in two days to make a choice. I am concerned about the side affects, mainly incontinence and bowel problems. The Proton Beam looks good to me.

Later: When I had my Biopsy about two weeks ago I was not able to urinate and sent home with a catheter. I took Flomax for two weeks and removed the catheter the night before I went back to the doctor still could not urinate. I have another catheter and will keep it until surgery is scheduled.

The only way I can have Radiation Therapy would be the a TURP (Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate) first. Doctor wants to wait four weeks before surgery, still time to change my mind.

 

UPDATED

November 2009

 

 

I had to have a new catheter this week and found out that I will be having LR Surgery (Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy). I am still waiting on a date. However since finding this out I have read most of the stories on LR Surgery and have exchanged e-mails with Chuck Blakley. I feel good about this now and can't wait to get it over with.

 

UPDATED

February 2010

 

 

I had my surgery on January 21, 2009. The surgery took four hours and I was released the next day at noon. The lab report shows he didn't get it all, so I will start Radiation in three months.

I had very little pain and as of today I'm 90% continent. PSA was 24.1 before surgery and 9.5 at two weeks post surgery.

Richard's e-mail address is: diclee2@cox.net