My name is Bill J. My wife Doris and I live in Central Texas. I have been following YANA for a number of months, even reading a majority of the courageous Survivor Stories that many of my fellow brethren have wrote which has compelled me to start writing my story. First off, I am 68 years old,fit and I thought in excellent health. About 3-1/2 years ago my PSA score, which I take regularly, went up from 3.1 to 4.5. My GP was not too concerned about it because he thought that it was still close to the range where it should be. I was not that sure so we did another test that came back 4.6 five months later. He still was not overly concerned about it so we did nothing. To make a long story short my next 3 PSA readings from 03/07/16 till 12/29/17 were in the high 3's which gave both of us a false hope that everything went back to normal. Well, on 01/03/19 of this year it jumped to 4.8, then 5.1 in may of 2019 then 5.5 in September of this year. That is when my GP finally referred me to a local Urologist. The Urologist took one look at the numbers and immediately wanted to do a biopsy. I opted out to do a MRI/Ultrasound Fusion. The results were that the Radiologist found a 3 mm spot in the prostate around the right midline, very suspicious for cancer. Thankfully,the MRI showed no penetration outside of the prostate. A needle biopsy was ordered next and my Urologist called me last last night to relay to me the bad news. Out of his targeted biopsy, where he took 5 cores of the lesion, 3 came back with a Gleason 6 on the right side. However with the 12 cores he took on the left side, 4 came back with a Gleason 6 and 7. I did not verify with him if it was a Gleason 3+4 or a 4+3, I had so many things running through my mind. The Urologist told me that it was highly curable with radiation or surgery which was basically the only 2 options he gave me. If anyone out there has any recommendations on what I should do, I am all ears. What I have scares the hell out of me, basically because I have gone my entire life without any surgery of any kind. Well, that's where I stand today. I will have a consult with the Urologist next week to go over the pathology report and discuss methods of treatments. I am very scared and I am reaching out to my fellow YANA brethren for help and support. My email is posted. God Bless each and every one of you. I will update on what transpires down the road......BillJ

Just wanted to update after biopsy. Since my PSA and my Gleason score were fairly low, I was given three options by my Urologist to choose from for treatment. Watchful Waiting was not what I wanted to do at all. Cancer runs in my family and I did not want to have this growing inside me till it got out of hand. The other two choices were radiation and surgery. This was also a fairly easy choice to decide. I have been fighting rectum colitis for about two years now, and I know the blasts of radiation over a eight week period could have devastating effects on it. Also,you limit your amount of choices if you do radiation. So,that left surgery,and that meant picking a surgeon who is experienced in Robotic Surgery (who has done hundreds if not thousands of this type of surgery) who has had good results in both complications and recovery time. I did not have to look far. My own Urologist, Dr. Kristofer Wagner, has done up to 1000 robotic surgeries and is well revered throughout the country as a leader in Robotic Prostatectomy. We scheduled a date for November 25, 2019, about 2-1/2 months after diagnosis. I had to wait a full month after my consult with Dr.Wagner and that probably was the longest month in my life. For a man who is 68 and never had a surgery of any kind, well, that month takes a toll on me. My computer and I went to bed together and woke up together gathering every piece of information I could about the surgery and life thereafter. It was hard but I managed through it. The pre-op went well but the bowel prep was a different story. You talk about being cleaned out. WOW. On surgery day my wife and I made the 45 minute trip to the Hospital and checked in about 10;30. The surgery was scheduled for noon. At about 11:00, I was IV hooked up, shaved and then wheeled down to the operating room. I was still not knocked out when I was ushered into the Operating Room and I caught my first glance of the Robot, a very intimidating machine. About 3-1/2 hours later, I was in recovery trying to regain consciousness. I did not have any of the potential side effects of the CO2 gas that many of my fellow YANA Brethren have experienced, I was finally brought to my room and there is where I surveyed the damage to my body and also noticed that little snake running from my penis. I insisted to getting up and walking around the hall and they allowed that to happen with some assistance. I did not feel terribly bad, but nobody told me to really push the liquids. I did not at first ,so I had to spend a extra night in the hospital because not enough urine flow. Needless to say, I starting pumping the fluids and next day I had more than enough to be released. The 7 days with the catheter were hell for me. Some men on the site says it doesn't bother them but they must have had one before, because I could not wait to get rid of it. My only problem that I had in the Hospital and even now with the catheter out is bladder spasms. It is a feeling of having to go even though your bladder is empty or dribbling or weak stream that I still have to this day. On the day of my catheter removal, which I was overjoyed, I got my pathology report from my surgeons associate and I WAS ECSTATIC. 15% of cancer confined to the prostate. 12 benign lymph nodes taken, seminal vesicles and outside tissue surrounding the capsule was all benign. Margins were all clear. I owe all of this good report to my GOD who is always by my side and the excellent and skillful work of my surgeon, who is the best. Now my next challenge is the quarterly PSA's that I will take on pins and needles when that comes around. My word of advice now,to my fellow brethren that are entering this arena as I have is to believe in your GOD and find the best possible surgeon that you can find and WE can beat this thing.

I failed to acknowledge some of my YANA Brethren that have helped me immensely and to this Site that has truly helped me in facing my journey. I would like to especially thank Jon R,Michael J, Ed, and numerous others that I have confided in about my disease. They have stood up to the plate for me and I will always be grateful for their support and answering my never ending questions and just being out there for me when you have to face such a monster disease. Remember, new inductees to this Club like me, you are never alone out there. The brave men on this site are here to help as best they can. I urge anybody visiting this site reach out to us and we will try to help as best we can.

Hello, my YANA Brethren. I thought it was time to update my story in order to fill in some key details since my successful Da Vinci surgery.I had my surgery on November 25 of 2019 and it turned out very successful. I am truly Blessed to have picked a Urologist-Surgeon that had the experience and knowledge to have my successful surgery. I think that is one of the greatest decisions that a man has to make to accurately pick your treatment and picking the best person in your mind to carry it out. The only discomforts after surgery were some bladder spasms that were quickly resolved with medication and time. My surgery incisions have quickly healed and a thing of the past. Every now and then which is hardly anything at all, I will have a urine leak at night, which I attribute to drinking too much fluid too late at night. Four months out of surgery and I am back to walking about 3 miles a day, lifting the same amount of weights that I was lifting before the surgery, and basically doing all the things that I was doing before the surgery. My first PSA after surgery that I took on March the third came back undetectable, as to below their scale of measurement. I was so very relieved and happy to hear that. That first reading is the toughest for me to wait on. I owe all of this to the MAN up above and also to the great Surgeon that I had. Without THEM I may be in a very bad place right now. My main advice to any newbies out there is to take your time. Read up as much as you can on the condition you are in. YANA,this site has been INVALUABLE to me understanding my prognosis and relating back to the Brethren on this site with their valuable information that has helped so very much in this treacherous journey. Believe in your GOD and your Doctors and they will get you through this. I will update again in September, my next PSA, but until then GOD BLESS each and everyone on this site and to all men facing their difficult journeys.

September 1,2020 and I just received the results of my 6 month follow up PSA in less than 3 hours after taking the test.UNDETECTABLE.Christmas has come early for me.It seems funny but I really did not think a lot about the upcoming test till a few days before it.I have deep Faith in my GOD and my incredible ,wonderful Surgeon that each time my results will be favorable so worry and stress is taken out of the equation.

My only complaints about the surgery is the low sex drive that I have after the surgery even though I had nerve sparing surgery.I was warned beforehand by my Surgeon that this could happen but until it really sinks in,you then feel what is missed or what you had before.There is no second thought by myself in sacrificing my once strong virility to being very placid and yet being very ALIVE and being with Peace wiyh myself.I have no other complaints to speak of.It will be a year in November and I feel better than I ever had.Even now,a year out from surgery,I do not think 1 minute about the past,only about the future.The pandemic has put a stop on activities that we have enjoyed in the past and my wife and I are more concerned about that than anything else.

Anyway,things are going great.Nothing to speak of but occasional attacks from my colitis that i have had for years.GOD BLESS each and every one of you fighting this disease because I really know what you are going through.Do take your time and read up as much as you can on your specific diagnosis.If surgery is in your cards,seek out a Urologist that you have complete trust in,a Surgeon that has performed hundreds if not thousands of the DaVinci Robotic Surgery ,TRUST IN YUR GOD,and you will be fine.I DID and I am glad I DID.See you in 6 months after my next PSA.

I would like to thank YANA for allowing me and the other courageous survivors to tell their stories so other survivors can relate and identify to what they are going through. I met many wonderful Mentors that helped me immensely through my journey which would not have happened without this site.GOD BLESS you YANA for allowing me and many others to share their story.

Well,its been awhile since my last update so I felt the need to cotinue my story.I am very happy to report that my PSA is still undetectable 0 after 21/2 years from my robotic assisted surgery.I owe my so far good luck to my Lord and the great skill of my surgeon,who to me,is one of the best on the planet.That leads me to the advice that I would give all men that are entering this arena,and that is to choose the treatment after diagnosis very carefully and to do your due diligence in deciding which treatment is right for you.Go to second,third,and even fourth opinions if you are not comfortable with until you are satisfied with in your mind and body.Most of all,and I feel very compassionate about,is to go to this site,YANA,and read the corageous stories of my fellow brethern.YANA has been invaluable to me through my journey and has helped me immensely with my progression with this terrible silent killer.I have asked mentors on this site numerous questions and worries that I have had since diagnosis and have not been ,not once ,been not replied to.Their knowledge and experience is FIRST HAND.You cannot get that through a book or the internet.There is no site on the internet that I would go to but Yana.My advice to any man that is considering Robotic Assisted Surgery like I had is to thoroughly research your surgeon,how many procedures hes done(very important),hes bedside manners,and generally how successful hes been in his outcomes.I was fortunate to have a surgeon that has done over a thousand robotic surgeries and was completely satasfied in my mind that he was the guy for me and he is.I know nobody knows what the outcome wiil be when you are dealing wth the big C but give yourself the best chance with the best outcome and feel comfortable with your selection and have it in your mind,(HES GOT THIS}.Till next time,Good Luck To Everyone!!

Well,its been awhile since my last update so I felt the need to cotinue my story.I am very happy to report that my PSA is still undetectable 0 after 21/2 years from my robotic assisted surgery.I owe my so far good luck to my Lord and the great skill of my surgeon,who to me,is one of the best on the planet.That leads me to the advice that I would give all men that are entering this arena,and that is to choose the treatment after diagnosis very carefully and to do your due diligence in deciding which treatment is right for you.Go to second,third,and even fourth opinions if you are not comfortable with until you are satisfied with in your mind and body.Most of all,and I feel very compassionate about,is to go to this site,YANA,and read the corageous stories of my fellow brethern.YANA has been invaluable to me through my journey and has helped me immensely with my progression with this terrible silent killer.I have asked mentors on this site numerous questions and worries that I have had since diagnosis and have not been ,not once ,been not replied to.Their knowledge and experience is FIRST HAND.You cannot get that through a book or the internet.There is no site on the internet that I would go to but Yana.My advice to any man that is considering Robotic Assisted Surgery like I had is to thoroughly research your surgeon,how many procedures hes done(very important),hes bedside manners,and generally how successful hes been in his outcomes.I was fortunate to have a surgeon that has done over a thousand robotic surgeries and was completely satasfied in my mind that he was the guy for me and he is.I know nobody knows what the outcome wiil be when you are dealing wth the big C but give yourself the best chance with the best outcome and feel comfortable with your selection and have it in your mind,(HES GOT THIS}.Till next time,Good Luck To Everyone!!

Sorry I have not updated my story in a while but with things going so well,I tend to forget,which I shold not.,especially with the much needed help that I received from Yana and my fellow brothers that got me through a much difficult and insidious disease.

I chose to help rid myself of this terrible disease by picking the best Surgeon I knew to do this feat,and I was Right.Other than a few episodes of a little bed wetting,which has since ceased,I have had not one small complication of any kind as I enter my fifth year of undetectable PSA.I was lucky enough to have my surgery while it was still encapsulated and my most knowledgeable Surgeon did the rest.I know Brothers have different ideas and theories of how to attack this disease but for me ,personally,it was get it out as fast as you can.I Praise MY Lord and My Surgeon ,with a lot of help from some Brothers here on Yana,that drove me to this conclusion and I am very,very,Blessed to have the best outcome possible

I have since had since my prostate surgery a total knee replacement on one knee and will have the other one done in April of this year.The only time I think about my prostate cancer is when I have my 6 month check up,and even then its of little concern to me.

I will only say to my fellow Brothers,who are just now entering this journey,take time to thoroughly research your options.Listen to your Doctors and your conscience,and most of all have Faith and Trust in YOUR God,that He will love and take care of you when things seem dire.I Have and have never wavered from my decisions.

Bill's e-mail address is: billbartek098 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")