Patients speak about prostate cancer and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Eduardo Jones, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Something was wrong, and I was convinced it was them, not me.
My PSA prostate specific antigen level was10.4 ng/ml? Obviously their PSA was in error. Simple: I would go for a second and third PSA test just to prove they are wrong. The test came back and they were correct. I did have a problem that needed to be dealt with. I had a prostate biopsy and it was positive, both sides, high numbers on the Gleason score and time to react.
I have a friend who is an excellent urologist, person, and surgeon. After testing, his advice was to do an open radical prostatectomy, a form of prostate cancer surgery.
I used my medical experience and many people I had met after several years representing large medical corporations for total hips and knees - and several more years with micro-surgical implants - to secure an appointment with a recommended radiation oncologist, where radiation is their choice of procedure.
I know you are currently seeking answers; in my opinion, you have already found them.
I found Dr. Krongrad because of my friend and primary care physician Dr. William Henderson, who directed me to www.laprp.com. At the time of my surgery in Florida, the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was not available in New Mexico and was labeled as an investigational prostate cancer treatment by some insurance companies. In any case, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was not offered within the boundaries defined by my HMO and therefore would not be funded by them. Yikes, more tough decisions to make. So, I looked at all of the options available within the limits of my HMO, and none of them made me smile.
I went to Dr. Krongrad’s web site and started to believe that the only real choice that left me with anticipation and an outlook for a hopeful future was in Florida. I e-mailed them, and like all persons who go to the site with a question, I heard back from Dr. Krongrad in hours. I also spoke with the two angels who accessorize him: Ruth and Hope. Dr. Krongrad was there, whenever he needed to be there, for me, my wife, and our questions.
I left the hospital the morning after the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and stayed in Florida for three days after the surgery. I was back to work at Day Five. I took nothing for pain, because there was only a bit of discomfort from the procedure. I lost a little less than a thimbleful of blood, and I can barely find the places where penetrations were made.
It has been one year now since my procedure. I am glad I don’t have to do it again, but if I had two prostates and the second one required attention, I would head straight back to Dr. Krongrad.
