Hello all. I have posted several times here as I've struggled to make a decision about what is the best path for me moving forward. My stats:
68, Caucasian, Gleason 3+4, 5/24 cores indicative of prostate cancer.
After doing as much due diligence as I could short of becoming a urologist, and after speaking to at least 3 urologists, one who is the head of the department where I would be receiving treatment, I have decided to go the brachytherapy route.
Surgery sounded way too invasive to me, but I was willing to do it if my main doctor said an absolute yes. But he felt that brachytherapy could achieve the same cure rate. My main fear was having "radioactive pellets inside my body. But no matter what procedure I looked at, they all had negatives, every single one. I felt like I was trying to choose the lesser of many evils.
With brachytherapy, assuming my body accepts it well, being able to have an erection and orgasm is still a possibility, although perhaps not for several years. Also, the doctor told me that even if the cancer returned, there would be other radiotherapy options, as well as surgery, despite what I had been reading.
Since my father died of a heart attack at 63, I honestly did not think I would be here this long, although I'm very grateful I am, because I've been able to achieve some of my life dreams, despite me being in my 60s. So, I'm encouraged to get this procedure done and hope it works its magic.
I will not meet the brachytherapy doctor (surgeon? radiologist?) until September 6. Until then, I hope I can research as much as possible to understand what awaits me.
If any of you gentlemen have undergone brachytherapy, I would love to communicate with you and learn from your journey.
And for the rest of you: I feel admiration for you all for facing this very challenging situation and seeking out help/advice/friendship on this site. I did in fact try other sites, but Macmillan seems to have the best people, and people who have faced their fears and also have a sense of humor, which I believe one must.
Thank you in advance, and I hope to hear from you.
