Richard
R and MR live in Maryland, USA. He was 63 when he was diagnosed on June 30, 2009.
His initial PSA was 5.5 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c.
His choice of treatment was Da Vinci Prostatectomy. Here is his story.
I
had minor prostate symptoms - blood in semen and slight pain on orgasm. That prompted
me to seek the advice of a urologist, Dr. Goldman, in May 2009. Dr. Goldman informed
me that the blood and slight pain may or may not be significant, but I was of
the age to have a PSA test, regardless. It was 5.1. Another PSA test about 6 weeks
later showed a reading of 5.5. (A subsequent PSA test in September 2009 was also
5.5.)
I had a biopsy on June 30, 2009. About a week later, Dr. Goldman
told me that I had a Gleason of 6. He advised me that I should have it treated
within months. He said that watchful waiting was not advisable at my young :)
age (nearly 64) and state of health (good) since the tumors would likely worsen
and spread over the years. Knowing that I was about to leave the area for some
weeks, he said that treatment was not urgent and that I should study the facts
and take time to determine the best course of action.
I read the American
Cancer Society book on the prostate cancer and other books. I reviewed many web
sites especially those of major research institutions, spoken with advisors (nurses,
doctors, prostate cancer survivors and others). This has led me toward articulating
my goals (starting with most important and continuing in order of decreasing importance):
getting rid of the prostate cancer, no collateral damage (e.g., to digestive system),
continence, low pain, fast recovery, tried and true, and cost. I have decided
upon Da Vinci-assisted radical prostatectomy and plan to have the surgery in October
2009. I will let others know results in the months to come.
Richard's e-mail
address is: onegreenearthling@yahoo.com
