YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

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Ted Larrison and Darlene live in Indiana, USA. He was 63 when he was diagnosed in February, 2008. His initial PSA was 6.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Da Vinci Robotic Surgery. Here is his story.

My first biopsy in May of 2006 with no digital finding but a PSA of 5.26 (free PSA 9%) was negative. In February 2007 with PSA elevating to 5.96 a second biopsy was negative and in August '07 the PSA level was at 5.8. I thought that the PSA was stable and settled into blissful denial. But the PSA elevated to 6.7 (free < 10%) in Feb. '08. Still no digital finding and nothing evident in the ultrasound but cancer was found in one of 10 biopsy samples taken by Dr. Homer Holt, my urologist in Louisville, Kentucky.

The pathologist reported a Gleason score of 3+3. Dr. Holt urged that we take an aggressive approach with the goal of a cure. We requested a second opinion and the report came back from Johns Hopkins with the same results. CT and Bone scans were negative and we discussed various options and I decided upon Da Vinci Robotic and requested a referral to Dr. Michael Koch, Chairman, Department of Urology, Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Darlene and I met with Dr. Koch on April 8 for a very informative discussion of prostate cancer, treatment options and the robotic procedure. Surgery is scheduled for May 23.

It's been very good to have the information in YANA to help me during the decision process as well as information and support from several guys from my church and community who are prostate cancer survivors having chosen a variety of treatment options.

It took awhile after the diagnosis to settle on the robotic procedure although I had researched in '06 while waiting to undergo my first biopsy and leaned toward that procedure if I'd be able to find a surgeon with excellent skills, lots of experience and a history of excellent results. Dr Koch came highly recommended by friends who had been his patient, by physician friends and by Dr. Holt. He was also on the list of excellent surgeons maintained by John Chandler listed on YANA.

 

UPDATED

June 2008

 

 

Da Vinci Robot Assisted Prostatectomy, May 23 at Indiana University Hospital. I checked in early and Darlene and I were joined by a friend, Tim, who had an open prostatectomy a year ago. After conversations with 3 Anaesthesiologists and a Resident I was guided to surgery, met the robot, and climbed on the surgical table. I was Dr. Michael Koch second surgical patient of the day and started around 10:00 AM and left Recovery at around 3:00 PM. Dr. Koch reported to Darlene that the surgery went well, that I lost around ½ pint blood.

I have marks on my right cheek which I assume was from tape used to hold the airway tube and a very large bruise on my right side. Felt pain in recovery and a needed my first Oxychodone at around 4. Got up to sit in a chair for a half hour and then took a second dose of Oxychodone after getting back in bed around 8:30. Didn't need any more during the night but took a couple to help me with the 2 hour ride home. I slept intermittently that night and walked and napped a bit Saturday morning. I drank lots of water to re-hydrate my mouth and finally had saliva again around 2:30 in the morning. We left the hospital at 2:00 PM.

We both needed naps after getting home but felt well enough to make a brief visit at a high school graduation reception for 2 young ladies from our Church. Spent the evening in the recliner and chatting on the phone and slept well the first night at home.

Sunday morning I started feeling gas pains so walked a bit and felt the sweet relief of passing gas around noon. Bladder spasms have been unpleasant and leakage around the catheter. I started wearing a pad to absorb the leaks.

Friday May 30 I removed the catheter as decided by Dr. Koch when he realized that we lived 2 hours from Indianapolis. That was uncomfortable but not bad and have only experienced stress incontinence since removal. I feel blessed to have done so well, with so little pain and to experience the love and support of friends and family.

Ted's e-mail address is: ted.larrison@gmail.com