(This email was just between me and a
friend.)
Ok... how do you know so much about
Prostate cancer options?
Is it just because of your
grandfather?
There are lots of options. There are
lots of people who recommend 'their' option.
Removing the testicles is an
'interesting' option. I've wondered if that would be a 'good' idea given that's
where testosterone comes from... I think.
The prostatectomy is the one
'solution' that lets doctors get a first hand view of what's inside. They
remove the prostate, the seminal vesicles and the pubic lymph nodes.
The prostate and seminal vesicles are
2/3's of the reproductive system. The pubic lymph nodes are the highway the
cancer would use to spread throughout the body. The doctor removes the nodes to
see if there is cancer present. If there is, then that's a good indication
there are cancer cells spread throughout the body.
When they remove the prostate they
look for good margins. A good margin means the area surrounding the tissue is
cancer free and increases the prospects that the cancer was contained within
the prostate.
I don't know why they call the
surgery radical... other than it sure is a radical idea... or a radical thing
to do.
There are various types of
radiation... proton, neutron, photon, radioactive seeding and then,
cryo-therapy which freezes the cancer.
Unlike surgery there isn't a way to
SEE the final results. So, the concern there is whether the entire cancer was
killed or not. Radiation treatments are administered each weekday for several
weeks, with weekends off. Radiation can cause one to feel tired after
treatments.
Radioactive seeding involves the
insertion of radioactive seeds into the prostate. The seeds are the size of
rice. 40+ seeds may be implanted. The number depends on the size of the
prostate. For an 'overly' enlarged prostate seeding may not be an option.
All of the procedures have the risk
of incontinence and impotence. Those are big words. I have to double check
them once in a while. Incontinence is not being able to stop urinating...
there are varying degrees of incontinence. Impotence is what Viagra is for.
Again, there are varying degrees.
There is a nerve sparing technique
being used to help avoid incontinence and impotence.
The reason these are problems is because
of the location of the prostate and the nerves that affect these functions. The
prostate butts up against the bladder. Urine exists the bladder through the
urethra. The urethra goes through the prostate like it was a doughnut.
To remove the prostate you have to
disconnect the urethra from the bladder, remove the prostate and then reattach
the urethra. Well, that point where it reattaches is where the incontinence
problem originates.
The nerves surrounding the prostate
are involved with impotence. To get to the prostate you have to deal with the
nerves.
I just heard of a new surgery called
robotic prostatectomy. The surgeon uses robotics hands to control the surgical
tools during the surgery. The hype I've read so far indicates it uses a smaller
incision (less than the typical 6-8 inches), recovery is faster, and
incontinence and impotence happens less.
The downside. I think the closest
hospital is in
Regular surgery would take 2-4 hours.
Recuperation would take 3-5 days in the hospital and then 3-4 weeks, possibly 6
weeks.
After reading about testosterone's
affect on prostate cancer I think that may be something worth considering. I
don't know at what point a doctor would suggest that, though. But, that's in
the back of my mind.
I had a shot of Lupron this week.
Lupron has some interesting side affects. It is supposed to chemically cut down
testosterone production and thereby decrease the chance of the cancer growing
and spreading. One side affect is kinda like menopause... MOOD SWINGS!!! That
hit me a little on the first day I had the shot. But, I've been better since.
So, as far as praying I would pray
for guidance in the best decision to make and for peace of mind and no
mood swings. That would help the most, I believe. But, then again, the Holy
Spirit knows the things that we need to pray for and intercedes for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered.
The Lupron shot is good for 4 months.
That lasts through Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec. That means I could possibly compete
in the FCHR and maybe the Hooch. But then, we're getting into the holiday
season.
My goal is to make it through the
FCHR. I really would like to row the Hooch. I've never done that before. So,
we'll see.
I'm getting a second opinion from
another surgeon next week as well as a radiation oncologist.
I'm hoping to find some information
on this robotic surgery. It's done using the da Vinci system. http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/ So,
my goal now is to try and find more information by a hospital and a surgeon who
is good at doing that type of surgery.
Thanks again for the prayers. I feel
them working... a lot.
Paul