Before Surgery

With a PSA of 92, I assumed the cancer had already spread. For five weeks I researched constantly. I wanted to prepare myself mentally and practically for what might be ahead. I had a nuclear bone scan to check for metastasis. Waiting for that result was tough. But it came back negative. It was a bit of cautious relief.

Interestingly, I wasn't afraid of the operation itself. What I feared was something else. I feared the surgeon would begin the operation and discover the cancer had advanced too far. I feared he might just stop. Or that he wouldn't be able to remove it all. 

Surgery carried risks of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Radiation had its own potential complications. None of the choices felt good. But doing nothing felt even worse.

It became less about finding a perfect option and more about choosing the path that gave me the best chance to move forward.

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