Everything has been scheduled.
Pre-op tests have been scheduled for Monday, January 27. These include blood tests and an EKG.
Then the surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4. The location is Parkview North on DuPont. He is to check in at 5:30 am. The surgery should last about four hours. Then he will be admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay. If all goes well, he will be home the next day.
Post op visits have been scheduled about a week later.
He is planning on being out of his office between two and four weeks, depending on how he feels during recovery. After a few days, I'm sure his computer will be home with him and he will be available by email and phone. (He's such a workaholic:-)
Continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Big Decision
Geoff has made his decision. He will be having surgery. He has made contacts with the doctors and if all goes well with the scheduling, the surgery will be Feb 5. I will confirm this in the next post.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Dr. Urban, the Surgeon
Today, we went to talk with Dr. Urban. We were there over an hour and he gave a lot of good information.
Geoff went into the appointment thinking he was going to ask if he could go ahead and make the appointment for surgery. I think this is a case of the more information you have, the harder it is to make a decision. It takes a while to sort everything out. Needless to say, we left without making an appointment for surgery.
Dr. Urban explained that there are three indicators of a high risk (for recurrence) patient. One indicator is when there is an obvious tumor growing and the prostate is oddly shaped. The second indicator is if there has been spreading of the cancer outside the prostate. The third indicator is high Gleason scores. Unfortunately, Geoff falls in the high risk category because of his Gleason scores. For this reason, while surgery is not contraindicated, Dr. Urban feels that radiation may be the better choice because it covers a broader area. With surgery, there are limitations to how much tissue they can remove. Surprisingly, he said they would not remove any lymph nodes because they feel it is better to leave the lymphatic system "intact" so to speak. They look around at the lymph nodes to see if there are any that look abnormal, but feel it is better not to remove them, especially if radiation is a possibility as a second treatment.
Dr. Urban pointed out that with Geoff's high Gleason scores, there is a one in three chance that the cancer WILL NOT recur. With radiation, there is a 50-50 chance. If he does the surgery and there is further treatment indicated, the odds do not change.
Dr. V (his urologist) and Dr. Urban talked this morning before Geoff's appointment. Dr. V told Dr. Urban he thought Geoff was a good candidate for surgery (further confusing the issue:-)
So...no decision at this point...maybe tomorrow
Geoff went into the appointment thinking he was going to ask if he could go ahead and make the appointment for surgery. I think this is a case of the more information you have, the harder it is to make a decision. It takes a while to sort everything out. Needless to say, we left without making an appointment for surgery.
Dr. Urban explained that there are three indicators of a high risk (for recurrence) patient. One indicator is when there is an obvious tumor growing and the prostate is oddly shaped. The second indicator is if there has been spreading of the cancer outside the prostate. The third indicator is high Gleason scores. Unfortunately, Geoff falls in the high risk category because of his Gleason scores. For this reason, while surgery is not contraindicated, Dr. Urban feels that radiation may be the better choice because it covers a broader area. With surgery, there are limitations to how much tissue they can remove. Surprisingly, he said they would not remove any lymph nodes because they feel it is better to leave the lymphatic system "intact" so to speak. They look around at the lymph nodes to see if there are any that look abnormal, but feel it is better not to remove them, especially if radiation is a possibility as a second treatment.
Dr. Urban pointed out that with Geoff's high Gleason scores, there is a one in three chance that the cancer WILL NOT recur. With radiation, there is a 50-50 chance. If he does the surgery and there is further treatment indicated, the odds do not change.
Dr. V (his urologist) and Dr. Urban talked this morning before Geoff's appointment. Dr. V told Dr. Urban he thought Geoff was a good candidate for surgery (further confusing the issue:-)
So...no decision at this point...maybe tomorrow
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Radiation Information
Today was Geoff's visit with Dr. Trenkner (I think that is how it is spelled). He is the radiation doctor. This was mostly an information gathering visit.
First he met with a nurse who got all his history and physical information...you know the questions...any family history, do you smoke, what medications do you take, etc.
Next Dr. T came in and talked for quite a while. He said with Geoff's Gleason scores being 8's and 9's, radiation would be a good option...but so would surgery. Basically, both options are open to him right now and Dr. T didn't really commit to which one would be better. He said, of course, he believes in the radiation so he would have no reservations about recommending the radiation. The regimen would be...
Hormones would be administered first for about two months to "kill" all the testosterone. (Testoterone is the culprit that promotes prostate cancer growth) Then radiation treatments would begin daily, Monday through Friday, for 39 treatments, or about 8 weeks. Then, because the Gleason scores are 8's and 9's, the hormone therapy would continue for 18-24 months. PSA tests would be administered on a regular basis. There are some side effects but most likely not lasting. On occasion, the side effects become chronic, but not very often.
If he chooses radiation first, then the option of surgery is off the table. Apparently there is not much room "in there" to work for the surgeon and once radiation is completed, the prostate sort of attaches to the bladder (it all kind of gets cooked) and the prostate could then not be removed. I'm not sure what the recommendation is, then, if there is a recurrence.
While remembering that Geoff's CT scan and bone scan were clear, Dr. T's concern was that with the high Gleason scores, there is a higher chance of metasteses and/or recurrence. For that reason he seemed to lean more toward the radiation, but stressed that BOTH treatments were acceptable (almost equally acceptable, it seemed).
Geoff asked about surgery with follow-up radiation. Dr. T said that would be indicated if there were any afftected lymph nodes or any cancer noticed outside the prostate.
After talking with Dr. T, a patient advocate came in and gave Geoff all kinds of information about cancer support groups and organizations.
So...the first visit is done. Tuesday, Jan 14 will be the first visit with the surgeon.
First he met with a nurse who got all his history and physical information...you know the questions...any family history, do you smoke, what medications do you take, etc.
Next Dr. T came in and talked for quite a while. He said with Geoff's Gleason scores being 8's and 9's, radiation would be a good option...but so would surgery. Basically, both options are open to him right now and Dr. T didn't really commit to which one would be better. He said, of course, he believes in the radiation so he would have no reservations about recommending the radiation. The regimen would be...
Hormones would be administered first for about two months to "kill" all the testosterone. (Testoterone is the culprit that promotes prostate cancer growth) Then radiation treatments would begin daily, Monday through Friday, for 39 treatments, or about 8 weeks. Then, because the Gleason scores are 8's and 9's, the hormone therapy would continue for 18-24 months. PSA tests would be administered on a regular basis. There are some side effects but most likely not lasting. On occasion, the side effects become chronic, but not very often.
If he chooses radiation first, then the option of surgery is off the table. Apparently there is not much room "in there" to work for the surgeon and once radiation is completed, the prostate sort of attaches to the bladder (it all kind of gets cooked) and the prostate could then not be removed. I'm not sure what the recommendation is, then, if there is a recurrence.
While remembering that Geoff's CT scan and bone scan were clear, Dr. T's concern was that with the high Gleason scores, there is a higher chance of metasteses and/or recurrence. For that reason he seemed to lean more toward the radiation, but stressed that BOTH treatments were acceptable (almost equally acceptable, it seemed).
Geoff asked about surgery with follow-up radiation. Dr. T said that would be indicated if there were any afftected lymph nodes or any cancer noticed outside the prostate.
After talking with Dr. T, a patient advocate came in and gave Geoff all kinds of information about cancer support groups and organizations.
So...the first visit is done. Tuesday, Jan 14 will be the first visit with the surgeon.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Reschedule
Dr. Urban's office called today. (Dr. Urban is the surgeon) Geoff's appointment with Dr. Urban has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 14. So, he doesn't have to wait too long...that's a good thing :-)
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Blizzard 2014
Dr. Urban's office just called and they will be closed tomorrow. Dr. Urban is the surgeon that Geoff was supposed to see tomorrow.
So the first Dr. appointment will be Thursday with the radiation doctor. Dr. Urban will call Tuesday or Wednesday to reschedule.
So the first Dr. appointment will be Thursday with the radiation doctor. Dr. Urban will call Tuesday or Wednesday to reschedule.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Introducing "Life's An Adventure"
Greetings Friends and Family
This is to introduce the blog where you will be able to read any news about Geoff. Most of you know, but some may not, that Geoff has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He has had the biopsy and is now ready to go on two doctor visits next week to decide how to proceed.
He will see a surgeon on Monday and the doctor who would do the radiation therapy if he decides on that. At this point he is leaning heavily toward the surgery, but will talk with the radiation doctor just in case there is a compelling reason to change his decision.
According to Dr. V...his urologist...the diagnosis came very early and the prognosis is good. He has had a bone scan and a CT scan and all is clear in both those tests so it has not spread. The only other possibility would be if the lymph nodes have been affected. Dr. V says he doesn't feel that is likely, but will know for sure after the surgery.
A little prostate cancer lesson for all...they judge prostate cancer by what is called the Gleason score. A Gleason score of 2-6 is a slow growing cancer. A Gleason score of 7 is medium growing and a score of 8-10 is a fast growing cancer. There were 8 samples taken on the left side and 8 on the right side of the prostate. All samples on the right side were benign. On the left side, 7 out of the 8 were determined to be cancer. All of the samples that were cancer had a Gleason score of 8-9. Because of the scores of 8-9, some kind of treatment is necessary. In cases where the Gleason score is in the slow growing category, sometimes treatment is not necessary.
That should have everyone caught up that didn't know anything about all this. This has all happened since Thanksgiving so things have moved rather quickly and we thought this would be the best way to keep everyone updated.
More news will follow as we know anything.
Geoff and Nicole
This is to introduce the blog where you will be able to read any news about Geoff. Most of you know, but some may not, that Geoff has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He has had the biopsy and is now ready to go on two doctor visits next week to decide how to proceed.
He will see a surgeon on Monday and the doctor who would do the radiation therapy if he decides on that. At this point he is leaning heavily toward the surgery, but will talk with the radiation doctor just in case there is a compelling reason to change his decision.
According to Dr. V...his urologist...the diagnosis came very early and the prognosis is good. He has had a bone scan and a CT scan and all is clear in both those tests so it has not spread. The only other possibility would be if the lymph nodes have been affected. Dr. V says he doesn't feel that is likely, but will know for sure after the surgery.
A little prostate cancer lesson for all...they judge prostate cancer by what is called the Gleason score. A Gleason score of 2-6 is a slow growing cancer. A Gleason score of 7 is medium growing and a score of 8-10 is a fast growing cancer. There were 8 samples taken on the left side and 8 on the right side of the prostate. All samples on the right side were benign. On the left side, 7 out of the 8 were determined to be cancer. All of the samples that were cancer had a Gleason score of 8-9. Because of the scores of 8-9, some kind of treatment is necessary. In cases where the Gleason score is in the slow growing category, sometimes treatment is not necessary.
That should have everyone caught up that didn't know anything about all this. This has all happened since Thanksgiving so things have moved rather quickly and we thought this would be the best way to keep everyone updated.
More news will follow as we know anything.
Geoff and Nicole
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