hi dave - i think that last paragraph says it all.  you have researched,
you are comfortable with what you have decided and now comes the waiting
part.  

it seems that it is a three part stress test.
the first part is to find out that you have prostate cancer.  the second
part is the have to decide what kind of treatment and the third test is
the waiting.  after the treatment is really not a stress test.  in fact,
it is a relaxing phase, because it is all over.

so, congrats on your decision.  

i will say that as an RP'er, if i had to do over it again, it would take
the same path.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional

Lap. or standard?

You have every reason to hope for an excellent outcome, so stay optimistic.

jimhoney

Last chance to get in shape for the recovery.

Start your kegels, watch your diet, and exercise.  I was very
impressed by how well and how quickly some of the runners in
the group recovered after their RPs.

Best of luck.

  Alan

I empathize especially, as one + year ago I was 52 in a similar
position (lower PSA, but Gleason 6).

Being diagnosed "young" is a double edged sword.  You have relative
youth and health to withstand and recover from major surgery,
generally recommended for patients with long life expectancy.  But,
then, you  have a longer time to live with the potential side effects-
if any, to be sure.

I opted for EBR, specifically IMRT, and am happy with the minimal side
effects one year post treatment.  But I have many years to go to
determine whether the treatment cured cancer.

As others have posted, the important thing is that you have done the
research, obtained the opinions, and finally come to the decision that
is right for you.  Don't second guess.  Go forward, do what has to be
done, and live your life.  Odds are very high that you will end up
cancer free with a good quality of life.  

Best of luck
--dt

Congrats on your decision, Dave! I am 4 weeks post RP (and WOW those 4 weeks
have gone by quickly!), and I'm doing GREAT!  (Age 51, PSA 4.1, Gleason 3+3)

Just remember we're all here to support you and your decision, and to listen to
you gripe about the cathether......

My one question/suggestion -  The first surgeon I interviewed also wanted me to
do the autologous blood thing prior to surgery. The opinion of the second
surgeon (who did my surgery) was that a patient donating his own blood prior to
surgery had a good possiblity of being anemic come surgery date, and ends up
needing that blood.  My surgeon says that in a majority of cases, no blood is
needed during/after the surgery, and if it is, blood is certainly avaliable for
transfusion.

It turned out that I lost 'a lot' of blood during surgery, and received 2 units
while in recovery.   I have no regrets over my, and my surgeon's, decisions.

Rus
Massachusetts

Congratulations Dave.  Now, look forward and don't look back.