Prostate Cancer And The Amazing Da Vinci System

Discovering I had prostate cancer at the age of 47surgically removed. Hence the best advice I received
was almost an accident and certainly not somethingwas, in my case, this would not be a practical option.
that in any way I expected. I had no symptoms -By the way information on proton treatment can be
none whatsoever. In layman's terms, everythingfound at or at The people I talked with who had
seemed to work fine. So the discovery of prostateused this treatment were extremely pleased with the
cancer was quite accidental. It seems I had gone tolevel of care they received and the overall outcome.
my doctor simply requesting a pill (propecia - a drugHigh Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). In my
to reduce hair loss). She required I have a blood test,search for the right treatment, I spent much time in
as this drug would have an effect on my PSA.considering this alternative. There were three practical
Frankly, all that was greek to me...as I didn't knowobjectives I wished to accomplish with whatever
what PSA was and had never had it checked. I hatedtreatment I selected: (1) Cancer elimination, (2)
needles - had always said I was allergic to them -Minimal issues with incontinence (preferably none) and
hence I avoided being stuck as much as I could. But(3) minimal issues with erectile function (again,
on this day in November 2004 I decided to take thepreferably none). Based on my Gleason score and
plunge - have my blood checked - and get theprostate cancer diagnosis, it seemed that this
prescription.treatment would be viable. For research information
Two days later I got a call while out of town sayingvisit As part of my consideration I met with Dr.
that all the lab work was fine except that my PSAGeorge Suarez, Medical Director for USHifu. He
was a bit elevated - it was 4.58 and for someonereviewed my medical background and was kind in
my age that was high. My doctor referred me to ataking the time to discuss with me my options using
Urologist. The appointment was set.this new prostate cancer treatment. Dr. Suarez took
Of course I had some concern, but after all, all thethe time to explain all my options and how, if I
plumbing seem to work fine and I had no symptoms,elected, HIFU could be effective while meeting my
so surely there was no problem. The Urologist's examthree objectives. My only resistance was, at the
was routine - in fact he said he thought I had nothingtime, it was not an option yet approved by the FDA
to worry about as he felt nothing abnormal. But, toin the United States, hence I would have to seek the
be on the safe side he schedule a biopsy. Beingtreatment outside the scope of my medical insurance
fearful of needles (and a biopsy is the ultimateoutside of the country. While I gave this serious
needle) I asked if it would hurt. His response, "Mostconsideration, I ultimately decided to go another
men don't really feel a thing." That was a lie! Lookingroute.
back, I would have asked for good drugs as thatRadical Prostatectomy. All of the possibilities above,
was the most painful experience I can recall.brought me back to the original suggestion -
Several days following the biopsy I received theSURGERY. The issue I had was what kind and who
results. Prostate Cancer! I had a Gleason score of 6would perform it. Since I had the time to research I
and 30% of one side of my prostate was cancerous.discovered (through the wonder of the Internet) this,
My heart sank as I received the news. How could I,then, new procedure called a robotic-assisted radical
a 47 year old healthy male, with no other medicalprostatectomy. Hum...seemed that needed more
issues have prostate cancer? And, how amazing thatstudy. Of course, at the time, Johns Hopkins Brady
it was caught by a simple test that my well versedUrological Institute was recognized as one of the
female doctor required. Looking back, her diligencebest in the world for prostate cancer research and
saved my life.study. After careful consideration I contacted Johns
What next?Hopkins inquiring about this seemingly new procedure
My local doctor wanted to schedule surgery- using the daVinci Surgical System.
immediately. He said I had four options: (1) RadicalThe folks at Johns Hopkins could not have been
prostotectemy (traditional surgery); (2) Radiation; (3)more caring and helpful as I sought all my treatment
Hormone therapy and/or (4) Watch and wait. Again,options. Of course, they reviewed my file carefully
he recommended surgery. My immediate questionand spent all the time I wanted and needed to
was how many of the surgeries that he wasevaluate my options. Dr. Li-Ming Su was my surgeon
suggesting did he do weekly or monthly. The numberand my hat is off to him and his skill and patience. In
was low. In the back of my mind I thought, "Hum,the end, one thing was clear - all other options being
maybe I need someone who isn't so surgery happyequal - surgical removal was still the "gold standard" in
and who does this delicate removal frequently." I wasthe fight against prostate cancer. Likewise, it
like learning to play golf - I would prefer to learnappeared that this robotic assisted laparoscopic
from someone who plays daily than learn from aradical prostatectomy would meet my three
weekend hacker. Maybe that analogy seems harsh,objectives.
but after all the decision made would have lasting andThe surgery went fine - of course I don't remember
profound effects.a thing - so all I can base it on what the Doctor's
Following the meeting with the Urologist, and afterreport. Initially the report indicated that the cancer
telling my family (who thought I was joking), I spentwas contained in the prostate and the removal
some time in research. First thing I found - based onshould yield me "cancer free." Of course this was to
my diagnosis - I had time to consider carefully mybe confirmed later from lab reports. The first several
options. Not that nothing should be done, but I didn'tdays following surgery were not pleasant, but
have to rush into any hasty decisions. Prostatetolerable. Within three days, I boarded a plane and
cancer generally is slow in it's progression. CAUTION -flew home to North Carolina - travel was not a big
do not use my experience as a crutch to avoidissue. The most discomforting thing following surgery
treatment (I witnessed my father-in-law die fromwas the catheter - which remained in for three
complications from prostate cancer), rather, seekweeks.
competent medical help in making your treatmentOutcome. Within four weeks following surgery I
decisions.boarded a plane to Dallas, TX to begin a new job. My
Options Considered:energy level was back and I had minimal incontinence
Watch and wait. Well for several months I did justisses with subsided within another three weeks.
that. I researched - changed my diet - considered theWithin seven weeks of surgery incontinence was not
possibility that I could reverse what existed and evenan issue. Erecticle function returned within three
reduce the cancer. I began a regiment of daily intakemonths (with the aid of medication) and returned to
of cottage cheese and flax seed oil. For a short timefull function (without medication) within twelve
I actually saw a decrease in my PSA; however, thatmonths.
was short lived. What I did learn was that diet wasNow it's been two years since surgery and all three
important - not only for general well being - but anobjective have been achieved. Life is normal. I am
effective tool in promoting a cancer free body. Thiscancer free. My sincere thanks to all who were there
was valuable time in that it gave me the opportunityfor me as I sought out the treatment that was right
to consider all my options.for me. I would not have the opportunity to function
Radiation Therapy. Not really an option for me. Whileas a motivational speaker today if it were not for
I talked with a man in his late 60's to early 70's whothe skill and help of the fine folks at Johns Hopkins.
had outstanding results using focused radiationWhile printing such personal items for all to read may
(proton therapy I think it was called), the reality is -seem (to some) out there! I feel that, perhaps,
once you opt for radiation and the tissue isothers who find themselves diagnosed with prostate
destroyed, if prostate cancer returns, it cannot becancer may learn from my experience.