Late summer of 2004, I was told that I had prostate cancer, and like everyone else, there are several options and we choose surgery. I did a lot/fair amount of research of the two types and decided on the robot because it allows the surgeon to see much better and the hospital stay was very short.

Two months after my surgery, my PSA had risen to 2.4 ng/ml. They couldn't believe this and had another test shortly thereafter and it dropped to 1.1 ng/ml. Now it was going the right direction, but unfortunately it was determined that there was still tissue in the area/region. My surgeon was very nice, and said that he didn't do a perfect surgery and now I'm going through radiation.

They are going to let me know whether or not that along with the radiation, I will have the "seeds" as well.

Anyone who has had a similar experience, please e-mail me.

Thanks

After my surgery, my PSA went up to 2.4 ng/ml, then in a month went down to 1.1 ng/ml and because it never got to zero, I went through 24 Tomotherapy radiation treatments. Then they put 80 "seeds", Brachytherapy in the region. Bottom line is this. It's all about how good the surgeon is. You need to be comfortable with that person and make sure that you check out how many procedures he has done. Every book I've read, and every person I have talked with say the same thing, it's important to go with the most experienced surgeon out there.

If any of you have questions, please e-mail me.

[Richard's PSA is 0.10 ng/ml at the time of writing.]

The Urologist I'm now seeing says; I have to thank the doctor who did the Brachytherapy, after the Laparascopic surgery. As I have said before, if you decide to have the surgery, make sure that the doctor has done no less than 100 procedures. My current PSA is 0.10 ng/ml.

Feel free to contact me via e-mail if you should have any questions.

Keep the faith...

The fact that my PSA is reading 0.1 is good news. I still use a pad during the day, and the ED is a real problem. Hopefully things will get better. If anyone has some ideas for me, please send me an e-mail. Other than that, keep the faith.

No change, which is very good.

I have been in contact with men wondering what to do when they are told they have prostate cancer. Here in Minnesota, I make sure they stay clear from the medical staff that I went to. It's so important to make sure they have done no less than 100 procedures.

Please e-mail me with any comments or questions. Keep the faith.

Just received my last PSA reading, 0.1 . My condition has not changed, which is good.

I welcome all e-mails, in fact in the past 6 months I have answered a lot of questions on my experiences, especially questions to ask the surgeon.

Don't hesitate to contact me. Keep the faith.

Richard

Sept 2010, my PSA has remained the same. I still receive a lot of e-mails asking about my experience, and I say the same thing. Whatever treatment you decide on, check out the doctor. Make sure that he/she has done NO less than 100.

Stay positive and don't hesitate to e-mail others who have faced the same decision.

Anyone who lives in Minnesota, please send me an e-mail.

It's been 8 years since my first surgery, and all in all, I'm doing good. I still want those who have decided on which treatment to research the Dr. with care. I did not do that and had a rough time, and he was not honest with me from the very beginning. Also, if you are in the USA, Minnesota drop me an e-mail for more details. Other than that, Keep the faith.

RP

My final treatment was exactly 8 years ago, and my PSA has remained the same, which is good. after reading my story, it's clear that the doctor is the most important person, and so as I say every time, research the doctor.. If you have any questions, send me an e-mail.

RP

My last blood test in 2014 showed that all is good, and as I have said before, that's good. I have had quite a few e-mails asking questions about the medical team that I chose, and if you live in Minnesota, don't hesitate to e-mail me for details. One other thing, I served in the US Navy during the Vietnam war, and I worked on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, and I have fellow sailors that have prostate cancer. The govt says that because we never set foot on the ground, we will not receive any help. IF you served in the USN during the Vietnam war, contact your VA to have your name put on a list, the day might come when they will help.

Keep the Faith.

RDP

I will be going in for my next PSA check this month, and hopefully all will be good. As I have said many times, make sure you choose the best medical staff. Also, any questions, contact me via e-mail. If you live in Minnesota, there's a medical staff to avoid...

Regards,
RP

All is OK with me, and it's been 12 years since my treatment, and as I have said many times, IF you have decided on what treatment you want, make sure you select the best doctor, meaning have him/her checked out. I did not, and I had a rough time. One thing that I don't recall talking about on the YANA site was that I'm a Blue Water Vietnam Veteran. I served aboard an aircraft carrier, working on the flight deck, and I was told that prostate cancer can be the result of agent orange, however because I did not set foot on the ground, at this time myself and many others can not make a claim. I have 3 older brothers who don't have any prostate problems. So, if you are a Vietnam Veteran, contact the VA.

All the Best

RDP

Well, it's been a while since being treated for prostate cancer. The one thing that I have said before and that is the VA has not allowed any benefits for those of us that were on-board a ship off the shore of Vietnam. I was told in 2006 that they wanted me to apply for benefits, which I did and to date the Govt has chosen to not include the Blue Water Navy Veterans. Other than that, I hope that all of you are on the YANA site are doing good, and share your story. I really watch my diet, and exercise every day.

Regards,

RDP

Well it's been quite a few years since my prostate surgery, and rather than go into detail, just look back on previous updates. You'll see that IF you chose surgery, make sure you select the right surgeon.

Well, I'm doing OK, and as I have said before, be sure to work with a good medical team. One thing, in 2006 I was contacted by the VA about my prostate cancer. In 1969 & 70 I was aboard the USS Ticonderoga in Vietnam, working on the flight deck as the fly three petty officer. Several of my friends that I worked with on the ship have been diagnosed with prostate cancer also, which is from agent orange. This is called Blue Water and they are considering that sailors are granted benefits. I have not heard anything lately, and IF any of you served in the Navy during this time, contact the VA. Who knows, it might happen.

Regards,
Richard

The good news is it's been a number of years since my surgery, however if any of you went through what I did with the robot surgery and the same outcome, it was a mess. I just met with a guy who is a bit older than me and he went the standard surgery and things are not good. He's been going through a lot also. If someone decides to go with surgery V/S radiation or Brachytherapy make sure you go with the best surgeon, I didn't.

Richard's e-mail address is: rdperbix AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")