YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Tony Miera lives in Palm Springs, CA. He was 48 when he was diagnosed on July 11, 2007. His initial PSA was 7.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4=7 and he he says he was staged T2a but that seems to be his pathological staging - his clinical staging seems to have been T1c. His choice of treatment was LR Prostatectomy . Here is his story.

I am 48 years old. Like many of you I had no symptoms prior to diagnosis. I went to my doctor for a routine physical and he ran a serious of blood tests, included a PSA test this time. the results came back "high" and he recommended I make an appointment with a Urologist. Wasn't worried because I don't have a family history of this disease.

I went to the Urologist in early July, he did a DRE and ordered a more 'refined' PSA test. He scheduled a biopsy for a week later, although he was sure I didn't need it...but just to be on the safe side.

I had the biopsy, twelve samples taken. OUCH! Of the twelve sent to the pathologist he developed 36 slides. 12 of the core samples: 7 came back positive for cancer. One had 100% involvement one 95% involvement one 80% involvement and the others between 12% to 35%, so it seems that I definitely have prostate cancer.

The Urologist recommended immediate action....schedule surgery for as soon as a week from now. I felt like that was rushing things a bit.....I just found out I had cancer, I had read there were other treatment options; what about those? The Urologist said that he had seen very few cases where the option was clear and there was no second choice.

This seemed odd to me. I told him I would make an appointment for a month from now, and that in the meantime I would like to discuss the results with my own Doctor and perhaps get a second opinion. He gave me a copy of the pathology report and a book to read to answer any questions that I might have, then sent me on my way.

I read the book, and read the web, and read anything that had the words "prostate cancer" written on it. It was all overwhelming, and I felt isolated and alone. I made an appointment with an Oncologist that a friend recommended and he helped me sort out how I was feeling and explained that I had many options, but the side effects for each could be potentially devastating. He was patient and blunt, answering my questions in a clear but no nonsense way that I found comforting. He wasn't recommending one treatment over another or telling me my Urologist was wrong. He pointed out the treatment options, the risks of side effects, the goal of eradicating the cancer in my system, and the chances for a long and relatively normal life.

I left his office feeling more empowered. I did more research on the web about Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and decided to pursue a second opinion with a surgeon who performed this procedure. I found Dr. Christopher Kane, at UCSD Hospital in San Diego. I was very impressed with my first visit. He explained in greater detail what the pathology report meant. What he could do for me with the procedure and what the likely risks and benefits would be.

I decided to go ahead and schedule the procedure with him at Thornton Hospital in La Jolla. I am scheduled for Oct. 4 at 9:00am. I am nervous as hell, and having trouble concentrating on work or anything else.

I will update you when I have returned from the Hospital.

 

UPDATED

October 2007

 

 

I had Robotic Surgery at UCSD Hospital in La Jolla, CA on Oct. 4th at 7:30 am. The Surgery went very well, the only added complication was the repair of an Umibilcal Hernia that was necessary because of the placement of the Laparscopic equipment.

I spent one night in the Hospital and was released the following afternoon. The post surgery recuperation has gone very well. The Hospital stay and the following week at home with the catheter went pretty much as other stories you will read here. I was uncomfortable, but not in pain. The hernia repair probably caused more discomfort than the other incisions. I used Percocet for about five days. Like everybody else I hated the Foley catheter, and was so grateful to have it removed six day later. That night was probably the worst for incontinence. Had to get up multiple times to relieve my bladder, the urge was strong but I was able to control my flow and didn't have any leaks. I wore a pad for about three days, but stayed dry. After that I stopped wearing pads because they seem unecessary. I was also pleased with that.

My doctor says that it may take up to a year to regain erectile funtion, but that both nerve bundles were spared, so the "equipment" is there for erections, it's just a matter of time.

The Pathology report was as follows:

The tumor was contained within the prostate capsule and measured 15.12 cu cm. The Gleason grade: 3+4=7

Location: Bilateral (primary right side with foci on the left side.) resection margins: tumor close to margin with <1mm C1(right apex) and C8 (right posterior)

Bladder base: positive(margins free of tumor.)

Seminal Vesicle status: Negative.

Lymphatic and/or vascular invasion: Absent.

Perineural invasion: Present (extensive.)

Pelvic Lymph Nodes: 0 Positive/10 Nodes.

Stage: pT2N0MX Stage II I have an appointment with my doctor in four weeks for my first post sugery PSA test. will update again at that time.

 

UPDATED

November 2007

 

 

Today I saw my doctor for the first post-surgery PSA test. I am happy to report that my results were good with a PSA Level of 0.03 ng/ml.

Now I will be tested every three months for awhile.

Tony

Tony's e-mail address is: Mierat@Mac.com