That's my story also.  Good news that you had an easy ordeal of it.
so congratulations on that.  And, isn't it wondeful to be rid of the
garden hose?? I went through the EBRT (39 treatments) along with HT
(Lupron).  Now I am basking in the aftermath with three months worth
of a four month shot still in my hip and system.  They say it takes up
to a year and a half to get back to feeling normal after RP, add some
more time to recover from the EBRT and Lupron also.  I lok at it as a
minor set back.  I also consider myself lucky with the doctors I've
had and am hopeful.  You will get by this.  There will be a need for a
good sense of humor and exercise.  This crap is beatable.  Don't give
the b%&***$ the satisfaction!!

Chuck McClellan
DZ'd at 54-RP'd at 54
Zapped at 55 and still trying to kick

Sorry for your unsettling news, Bob.... but it still sounds like things are
manageable.  You will just need to go through some radiation.  Hopefully,
that will get rid of any last of those little buggers that are still
around.... and leave you cancer free!! Hang in there, guy!

MikeH
LRP 11/21/02 Age 51
T1C PSA 8.1

Damn! Was hoping for better news. Well, we've just got to take one speed
bump at a time till we get to clear sailing. Get the radiation, and
hopefully get rid of all vestiges. Good luck, Bob.

Well Bob, sorry to read about your predicament. I know exactly what you're
talking about since I'm in the same boat with you. I had a positive margin
at the left apex (clear lymph nodes and SV). My post op path report had a
Gleason of 3 + 4 which was the same as the biopsy. I don't think I've read
on this NG anybody jumping from a Gleason of 6 to 9. Many here have talked
about the Gleason score going up on the path report, usually by 1 grade
level, possibly 2.

Unlike your Uro, my Uro didn't explain to me about the bladder control issue
of trying to get all the cancer out, among some of the other symptoms (one
of the many reason's I refuse to return to see him again).

My mom had skin cancer that was on her nose. They kept cutting out the
cancerous area until the margin was clear. I was wondering why they didn't
do that with my RRP. I suppose it makes sense that if they have to cut out
too much the risk of incontinence increases substantially.

My biopsy and post path report both were at T2c. I really think that I
should be at T3a also why my positive margin. My first PSA test came back at
< .1. My Uro said I didn't need radiation.  But with a positive margin
nagging at me (plus doing a lot of reading) I opted to get a 2nd opinion
(Oncologist), then a 3rd opinion (radiologist). With my wife working at an
Oncology clinic (outside my HMO), she showed my path report to the head
Oncologist at the clinic, plus one of the radiologist. All four of these
doctors thought it would be a good idea or at least sided more toward having
radiation treatment. Needless to say, I opted for RT, though I was on the
fence for a while.

I'm now 3 months post RT and have gained most of my energy back. The last
PSA (post RT) was also < .1, so far I'm batting 100% with undetectable
readings.

As far as incontinence goes, I feel I've lucked out. I still have about
47-48 pads (out of 52) left from the Depends bag.

I wish you good luck Bob!

Rgr

48
RRP 11/03
biopsy PSA 4.6, T2c.
2/04, 8/04 PSA < .1.

Well, it's another punch in the gut, but it is still curable.  Radiation,
you will find, is painless with very few and minor side effets.