Surgery

[spm58]

Ok so I just had my robotics surgery yesterday. He found out it spread to rectum but did biopsies and second one clean. Sent lymph nodes off and won't hear for a week, but he said they looked funny. My surgeon is considered one of the best and he said he expects full life. Sounds a little funny to me too.i do have to have radiation in 3 months. Do any one else have some insight

[BerkshireBear]

Sounds like an honest report to me; be pleased that he's being forthright with you. In all such operations there is the chance of finding the unexpected. Sounds like he did and went after the evidence to be certain and to determine the next steps. Yes, you have to wait for the lab results; that is necessary. You say he's one of the best, and it sounds that way; so I'm sure he'll guide you through the rest of getting rid of this disease.

[spm58 in reply to BerkshireBear]

Thankyou for reply BB

[Hidden]

in my case they did immediate pathology on the lymph nodes, perhaps because the type of pca (intraductal) was such that had they found cancer they might not have proceeded with the rp. Who knows, but I am in the middle of radiation treatment (22/39) post-rp that I had done feb 13th. Anyway hope your recovery goes well. If there is anything to be encouraged about, it is your surgeon's comments.

Adjuvant radiation therapy so far has been fine - biggest hassle is driving to appt every day. Found a Yale New Haven-affiliated facility with state-of-the-art equipment closer to my home (30 miles closer round trip). 1200 less miles!!!! Very lucky for me.

All the best

[pjoshea13 in reply to Hidden]

Hank,

I know that 13 years ago I would have been stapled back together if pathology had reported cancer in a lymph node. However, I have read so many papers on the benefit of getting rid of the primary cancer, that I'm surprised to read that your more recent experience was similar.

My surgeon operated on another man "with lesser cancer" later that day & aborted the procedure because of cancer in a lymph node. I think of him when I read of the benefit of debulking the cancer.

-Patrick

[Hidden in reply to pjoshea13]

Quite honestly I am not sure if they would have sewed me up if they had found cancer. Perhaps it would have resulted in a change in strategy. My surgeon is just top notch so whatever it was he did for a reason. So far so good but still early

[spm58 in reply to Hidden]

Wow that's crazy.Im glad it worked out for you. Did they find cancer in your lymph? The samples they took from my rectum were flash frozen and checked right there however he said sending lymph off was a better biopsy. I do feel confident in him and was very recommended I guess I need to be more patient

[Hidden in reply to spm58]

No non-malignant thank goodness. Surgeon went ahead with rp and removed lymph nodes as a precaution.

Your surgeon (like mine) seems to be taking good care of things. So important.

Keep us posted, and know we are all rooting for you!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

For me when I was in RT for the max dose of 2 months 5 days a week .I was unable to do much else..Of course my case and every case is different.I had bi-lateral,neauphrostimy tubes out of kidneys into bags on each side and a foley for 1 yr..I was not to lift any thing more than 10 pounds..So I lost all of my muscle and strength during that time due to attrify and none use , also at same time stripped of "T".. I believe that you can have a good outcome..Hang in there baby!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Lulu - you are as selfless and good as can be. Thank you!

[Hidden]

Boy , starting this voyage is intense.You have taken the logical path to survive.This is an ongoing affair that we have with APC.....if you are 58 or born in 58 either way you are close to my age of 57..Iwas pretty advanced to the point of kidney failure from Pc tumors..I am non-op did RT & from start Lupron & Tak -700 test drug.Ive had no -visible signs for the past yr.. You can live a long time 15 yrs is possible,maybe more..Quality of existence will be the issue.The more stable your personality was before APC the better you will handle the emotional and phycologial issues due to ADT & the other treatments..Having love and support is nessasary..We all suffer the side effects.If you are at peace with your life already you are far ahead of the game ..For us , my wife , who is my salvation , we try to cut stress , live healthy and find some enjoyment each and every day. .Im not saying that it is without pain and things can feel overwhelming because you will be stripped of you male hormones and that alone will alter you entire being..We hope with time side effects and the way we deal with and handle them will improve..We must stay strong and vigilant in the attempt to balance our lifes. Keep your faith in whatever you believe in. Keep in touch and do your best. That is all that any of us can do.. Only those that have or those closely related to APC patients can fully understand the effects and the nature of this desease..I suggest the most aggressive protocol to trip up this beast that haunts us all.I suggest that you take better care for yourself than you ever had in the past..Especially diet &'daily exercise. Good luck and know that you are not alone in this..

[spm58]

I appreciate all of your advice and wish blessings to you all

[Hidden in reply to spm58]

If you put all that you have into recovery, you will succeed....

[spm58 in reply to spm58]

So I was updated with results yesterday. They did find cancer in a small section of lymph and we will do radiation in couple months. He does not want to do chemo. Is this standard?