Traffic

Hello folks.  I took a couple of days off.  Something I rarely do in Blog Land but I felt I needed a respite.  There has been just too much going on in my life the past several months.  While I like all the activity and I do believe that once you make the decision to vegetate you'll end up in a senior living center like my friends Bob and Jim, I did feel the need to slow down a bit and gather myself together.

So here is what is going on in my life today.  The complication and side effects from my prostate seed implant surgery earlier this month are dissipating, thank goodness.  I have no more burning urination, which I am sure all of you are tired of hearing me talk about.  I still have major discoloration of the more private parts of my nether regions.  With all that black and blue and purple in "those parts", it looks like I went for a few rounds of The Fight Club.  It actually looks worse that it feels.  In fact I felt no pain at all "down there" even though the hospital gave me an ice pack for the pain.  Never felt a thing.  I guess that's good.

Next up, we finally got another part-time front desk clerk at the hotel and this week I'll begin working two nights a week at the hotel, the first time that's happened since December.  Man, that was a LONG six months.  I don't mind working occasionally more than two nights a week but not every week.  I just have too many other things going on in my life.  I like to work and love my job but I need a balance.  It's not like I'm looking to start a new career.

Balancing my life

Next subject, our marriage.  Bill is trying to figure out someway that we can get married that no one knows about it.  That's My Bill, in the closet to the end.  He is of that generation that feels he has to hide lest he offend someone by his gayness.  I wanted to get married in our backyard but he's afraid that we "shove it in the face" of our neighbors if we get married in our back yard.  See what I'm dealing with?  I told him "It's OUR back yard."  I have to walk a fine line here.  I want to accommodate Bill but I don't want to live my life worrying about "what the neighbors will think" which has always dominating Bill's thinking wherever we lived. I've told him time and time over again "I don't care what the neighbors think."   But I understand it is hard if not impossible for Bill to get out of his mindset for survival by staying in the closet.  It's not easy folks. 

You won't be seeing one of these at our wedding

Now here is a subject that has increasingly come to the forefront of our lives:  traffic.

Yes....TRAFFIC. A few weeks ago the traffic picked up significantly in our part of the world here in Tourist Land.  Route 1 is the major thorofare transporting the customers (that would be the tourists) to our major attraction here on the lower Delmarva peninsula (that would be the Atlantic Ocean).  While we all appreciate and value our main income source that provides jobs and a livelihood for us all, one does have to take into consideration the danger of traveling on Route 1.  The bottom line is that Bill and I are of an age that we have an increasingly difficult time traveling in all that traffic.  Four lanes in and four lanes out of mostly aggressive driving.  When you see the barefeet of the passengers parked on the dashboard of the cars headed south to Rehoboth Beach and beyond, you know you're in for Summertime Craziness.  This year Bill and I have decided not to take part.  No thank you .

The "Root Gourmet" in Rehoboth.  And I see where a new "Touch of Italy" will be opening.  Shame I can't go until after Labor Day.  No more fighting traffic and risking an accident just to get some great salsa and potato salad.

We will do our shopping at the Food Lion in Milton.  Perhaps travel to BJ's in Millsboro every other week.  And of course make our regular pit stops at the Milford Walmart.  Anything else like the Root Gourmet in Rehoboth, I'll make my own salsa and potato salad.  Just coming back yesterday we saw a horrific "fender bender".  If we, as to Oldie Goldies, keep venturing out onto the ten lanes (four going down and back plus one turn-off lane on each side), it's just a matter of time before our turn to have an accident.  Why just yesterday we saw a jogger in one on the passing lanes!  My God, what in the world was she doing jogging on Route 1?  Like there are no other places to job down here?  Nope, we'll leave the Route 1 traffic jams to people like this intrepid Oldie Goldie who was driving his English car on the WRONG SIDE.  See what we're dealing with?

Bill looked at this car yesterday as we were sitting in traffic on Rt. 1 and said "Where is the driver?"

Hey folks, we have a beautiful backyard.  This past week I loaded up on plants and transplanted them in our backyard.  I love our backyard.  This is where I'm going to spend the summer and fall only to be interrupted by a few follow-up doctor's appointments.  I would rather be raking up cut grass in our backyard any day than to sit in traffic on Route 1.  

Me raking dead grass in our backyard yesterday - I love doing this! So relaxing and peaceful. Good exercise too!  

Prostate Cancer - Seed Implants

For those of you following my prostate cancer journey I found this very informative video this morning which explains clearly the procedure that I will have done to me on May 2nd.  

I am a good candidate for seed implants because my PSA score is below 10, my Gleason score is 6 and my prostate cancer is localized. 

God willing, I hope after this procedure on May 2nd, I can go home without a catheter and none of the side effects.  

Yes, I am concerned.  I try to keep myself busy but sometimes this whole thing catches up with me.  Hopefully my experience can help others who may have to deal with their prostate cancer.  

Falling Apart

Hey folks, it feels like we're falling apart here at Casa Tipton y Kelly.  

As regular followers of this blog know, I am scheduled for seed implants for my prostate cancer on May 2nd.  Tomorrow morning at 9 am  I have an appointment with my urologist and oncologist to set the game plan.  Sounds like fun.  I'll clean the nether regions out before I go in just in case there needs to be more "exploratory" procedures.  To be quite frank about it folks, this is getting real old.  I'll just be glad when everything is over with and I can go about my regular life, albeit with a radioactive crotch.

Now a couple of days ago Bill developed a problem with his bladder.  Not to gross anyone out with too much information but there is incontinence and blood involved.  Bill's been trying to arrange an appointment with the VA to have his problem checked out.  He said this is the first time something like this has ever happened in his life.  He says when he has to pee, HE HAS TO PEE RIGHT AWAY.  Thank God I don't have that problem.  In fact, my plumbing apparatus is working just fine.  Just that little niggling "detail" of a slow growing prostate cancer that I have to deal with.

This morning my good friend Lar had to have an emergency colonoscopy.  Again, not to go into too much detail but he discovered blood in his stools.  I was with him last night on FaceTime as he took the pre-day concoction to flush out his system prior to this morning's exploratory procedure.  All kinds of invasive procedures around here folks.  Well, the good news is that he doesn't have colon cancer.  In fact that is GREAT NEWS.  However, he does have an ulcer which is what he suspected and he now will go on a special diet to treat that condition.  As you can see from my screen shots that I took of Lar drinking his pre-colonoscopy "prep" last night, we had fun.  Hey, you have to laugh. I did thoroughly enjoy being on the other "end" so to speak.

Our other good friend Stuart, is scheduled for knee replacement.  Stuart is the same age as Lar and I, 71 years of age.  Yep, we're at THAT AGE folks where things start falling apart.  Just like an old dependable car, no matter how much you take good care of it, sooner or later little things are going to "go."  Stuart says he has to have knee surgery because he has "bone on bone."  I feel the pain just hearing those words "bone on bone."  Again, thank God I don't have that condition.

Larry, Stuart and me - healthy in 1957

Larry, Stuart and me - slipping 2011

So, I don't know if Bill's condition will prevent us from taking our annual vacation down South. We can't take that trip if he has to stop on the interstate and for an emergency pee.  That won't work on the Interstate. So everything is on hold until Bill can see the doctor tomorrow.  

Fun times around Casa Tipton y Kelly.  The Old Guys are being tested.

Prostate Cancer - Seed Implants

As I mentioned in my last prostate cancer update blog posting, after my "volume" procedure earlier this week, I qualified for radioactive seed implants.

That comes as a great relief to me because I don't have to go through hormone therapy to reduce the size of my prostate glad to qualify for seed implant.  While I was at the cancer center I talked to one man who just finished four months of hormone therapy and was in pretty bad shape.  I heard my doctor informing another patient that his prostate did not reduce in size after his hormone therapy.  So of course I was very apprehensive, so much so that I decided not to go through hormone therapy is that was the only option left to me.  Thankfully, I didn't have to make that decision.

My doctor's office called me and informed me that my seed implant procedure will take place May 2nd.  That is good timing because it permits me to attend next week's Bloggerpalooza.  

Bill and I can still take our annual spring vacation trip South to his hometown of Toccoa, Georgia and I can visit my roots in western North Carolina and my brother in Greenville, South Carolina.  Bill and I have been taking these trips for the past three years and look forward to them very much.

The following (for those of you interested) is what will happen to me during my seed implant medical procedure on May 2nd:

What Happens During The Procedure?

The entire procedure takes approximately 90 minutes. Most patients go home the same day.

A radiation oncologist and urologist perform the procedure. Both physicians are actively involved in all aspects of the implantation, from the planning to the post-operative care. During the procedure, the urologist provides ultrasound guidance and the radiation oncologist places the radioactive seeds.

The procedure is performed as follows:

• After general or spinal anesthesia, the legs are elevated and padded very carefully.
• The ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum and is used to take pictures of the prostate. The probe remains in place throughout the procedure.
• The radioactive seeds are loaded into the designated number of needles.
• In a specific order, each needle is inserted through the skin in the perineum (the area between the base of the scrotum and the anus) and into the prostate using continuous ultrasound guidance. Once accurate needle placement is confirmed, the seeds in that needle are released. This process is continued until all of the radioactive seeds have been implanted. No surgical incision or cutting is necessary. For HDR, once the needle placements are confirmed, they are filled with a radioactive material. After a period of minutes both the needles and the radioactive material are removed.
• The urologist inserts a tube with a camera called a cystoscope through the penis and into the bladder. If he or she detects any loose radioactive seeds within the urethra or bladder, they are removed.
• If some blood is in the urine, the urologist may place a catheter into the bladder for a short period of time to ensure proper drainage. All patients are instructed how to drain urine from the bladder, if necessary.

What Are The Results?

Although it is a relatively newer treatment, results show that, in patients with similar types of prostate cancer, brachytherapy alone or in combination with external beam radiation therapy appears as effective as a radical prostatectomy and regular external radiation in 10-year follow-up studies.

What Are The Side Effects?

Urinary symptoms are the most common. These include frequent urination and a need to get to the bathroom quickly. Some men have a burning with urination and, in a few cases, an inability to empty the bladder completely.

These symptoms can usually be managed with medicine, and they improve over time. Temporary self-catheterization may be necessary to help drain the bladder

Urinary incontinence is rare in general. The risk may be somewhat increased in patients who have undergone a previous surgical procedure to remove a part of the prostate called a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). A doctor can minimize this risk by doing a careful prostate ultrasound before the procedure to determine how much prostate tissue is still present to implant the seeds.

Rectal bleeding occurs in less than 1% of patients. Diarrhea is rare.

The impotence rate at five years after the procedure is about 25% using brachytherapy alone. If hormone therapy is added, the impotence rate rises to 50%.

Special Considerations

Close, prolonged contact (such as sitting them in your lap) with young children and pregnant women should be limited for the first two months after the procedure.

Prostate Cancer Treatment - Next Step

Bill entering Cancer Treatment Center this morning

Today was my next step in my prostate cancer treatment.  Of course I was dreading my appointment today at 10:30 am. I didn't get much sleep last night, expecting a similar experience that I had with my prostate biopsy experience at the end of January.  

Bill entering the Cancer Treatment Center 

Poor Bill, I'm afraid I took my bad mood out on him.  I have to make amends for that in the next few days. I'll admit it, I'm no Valerie Harper who can go on TV and tell everyone how happy she is in spite of her brain cancer diagnosis.  In fact, while we were in the waiting room this morning, she was on TV with Piers Morgan extolling how she is so grateful for the years she's had on this earth (as am I) and demonstrating how she is going to make the most of every day she has left on this earth (as am I).  However, I do have a hard time dispelling and making light of the very invasive procedures that I am going through now but considering the alternative...... Anyway, I was abrupt and dismissive of Bill this morning as he was trying to make small talk and I was wrong.  He was just trying to help.

This morning's procedure was called a "volume" test.  Basically that is to measure my prostate to make sure it is the right size (not enlarged) to accommodate the eighty to ninety radio-active seeds to be implanted in my prostate.  

Patiently waiting (with my legs clenched)

I wasn't encouraged by another patient in the waiting room.  He was sitting there, clenching and unclenching his fists, red face, and looking very uncomfortable.  I introduced myself and found out that he was also waiting for my doctor.  Our doctor was running over an hour late so we had plenty of time to talk.

He told me that he has been undergoing hormone therapy for the past four months to reduce the size of his prostate so he can have the seeds implanted.  He said he was having a very hard time with the side effects of the hormone therapy, which is the female hormone estrogen.  He told me he always has hot flashes, and in fact was almost always "hot from the inside out."  He also said he had put on weight and has a hard time sleeping.  He didn't say anything about the size of his breasts but I know from another man who underwent this hormone treatment that men do grow breasts.  Just what I need.  I already have man-boobs where I used to have pecs, just another bonus of getting older (AH-NOLD also has them so there).  

Me and my friend Ron H. with "breasts" - 1964

I really felt sorry for this guy because he's been going through his uncomfortable state for four months  Man oh man, I don't know if I want to do that.  I would just get my prostate taken out first.  He was finally called in at 11:30 am (his appointment was at 10, my appointment was for 10:30).  

Half an hour later I was called in.  "Jessica" takes me to a side curtained off space (no rooms in the assembly line area, just curtained off areas).  She tells me to take everything off "below the waist" (been there before) but that I could keep on my "shoes and socks" (that statement always reminds me of a porn actor...not that I would know, I heard). 

She gives me one of those gowns that have the breezeway in the back.  Lovely. 

"Take off everything below your waist and put this on." (Nice pattern)

While I'm waiting for my doctor I hear him talking to a man in the curtained off area next to mine.  That man was also in for a "volume check".  He told the man that "80 to 90% of the hormone therapy works to reduce the size of the prostate, unfortunately you're falling into the 10% where it didn't work."   

With baited breath and furrowed brow I listen to the patient's response to that bombshell "What do I do now doc?" The doctor pauses then goes over the Standard Six options for prostate cancer treatment:

1. Do nothing
2. Remove prostate
3. Cryotherapy - freeze the prostate
4. Hormone therapy - turn into a woman
5. Directed radiation
6. Seed implant

The doctor told him that the last option was probably out unless he wanted to try another FOUR MONTHS of hormone therapy.  There was a long silence from the patient.  Then he started to question the doctor again.  The doctor said "Maybe you should think about this and we'll discuss it during our office visit."  Then my doctor left this dejected patient and pulled open my curtained cubicle to see me sitting there in my pretty little patterned outfit with the "breezeway back."  Wouldn't you like to see one of those outfits on the red carpet at the Oscars?  Just saying.

Ron is none to happy waiting - showing every day of my 71 years

So I was none to comfortable hearing all this.  Was my prostate too big and I would have to take estrogen and turn into a hot flash man-woman?  I may be gay but I never had the urge to turn into a woman.  I've always been quite happy in my male body.  I don't even like high heels.

Ruby Red Slippers!!!!!

So my doctor explains the procedure that I'm about to undergo. Then he leaves while the nurse (who was very nice and understanding) prepares me.  She tells me that this procedure is nothing like "what you guys go through when you have a biopsy."  God, I hope so.  That biopsy procedure was personally approved by our former vice president Dick Cheney as his preferred method of torture to gather intelligence.  And yes, when I had my biopsy I did divulge that I met with Mohamed Atta in Prague.  Good one Dick.  You're the man (and war criminal but I digress).

Darth Vadar aka former Vice President Dick Cheney - head of torture and death

Thus it was with great trepidation that I exited my curtained cubby hole and made my grand entrance on the main floor with my pretty little opened back dress and loafers to the curtained area where my rectum will again receive visitor (actually a camera on a stick). 

Ain't I cute?  Maybe I should wear this to the Bloggerpalooza

I enter the inner sanctum and am greeted by a very pleasant female nurse. By the way, where ARE THE MALE nurses?  I heard men can take up the nursing profession.  Where are they?  I sure as heck don't see them in my adventures.  

So I'm "back in the saddle" again, so to speak.  And boy am I ever.  I get on the pommel horse (or whatever you call that thing you lay on) and get the usual request "scoot on down."  So I "scoot on down".  I didn't "scoot" far enough.  I "scoot" some more.  The doctor looks and says "perfect." While I'm laying there all "scooted down" I'm thinking "is anything in the way?" You know.  After all, modesty definitely doesn't come into play here when we're exploring one's prostate gland.  

"In The Saddle"

Then the doctor and nurse pull out the "stirrups."  Here we go, "ride 'em cowboy!"  Man oh man, these stirrups were high up.  I place my feet in them and my legs are almost vertical.  I'll give you a few moments to picture this in your head.  Yep, I'm pretty darn well...um.....exposed.  Just then a fleeting thought goes through my head, what if this was a requirement for a job interview.  No secrets here.  

So there I am, feets in the air, sucking air.  Then I hear those magic words "now just relax."  Oh yeah, I've heard that phrase before, under different circumstances.  Usually with not so much light or a female present.  Uh huh.  We won't go there now, that's another whole story.

I'm relaxed.  Now comes the "fun" part.  Yes, the doctor puts an instrument up my rectum that has a camera on it.  He's going to measure my prostate to determine if it is the right size for seed implant. Yes, he's going to check to make sure I have a "Goldielocks" prostate. Not too big, not too small, but just right.

After fifteen LONG minutes of probing (no painful but "full") and several "um's" and "ah's", he pulls out my visitor.  He tells me that my prostate is exactly the same size as my urologist had measured.  I ask him "Is that good or bad?"  He gives me a non-answer and says "It's the same."  Hmmmm.

The nurse tells me to swing my legs down they've been over my head).  I asked "Am I finished?"  She said "Yes", and that I could return to my previous curtained cubicle where Bill awaits me.  By the way, Bill is allowed to accompany me every where during these procedure except the actual procedure itself which I think is so considerate and thoughtful of the medical establishment today.  I remember in the bad old days where the patient had to undergo all these procedures by themselves without any family support.  God bless the medical establishment for finally seeing the light.

I gather myself together, making sure the back is closed and walk back to where Bill awaits me.  I take off my flowered smock and put my underwear and pants on (feels good!) and await the doctor with much apprehension.  Oh God I don't want to be one of those guys who has to have their prostate shrunk by taking female hormones.  I had almost decided that if I was presented with that alternative I was just going to have my prostate removed and be done with it.  There is no way I'm going to go through four months or more of hot flashes and wearing a bra.  

My doctor comes in. He tells me my prostate is normal size and ready for seed implants.  YES!  I give him the thumbs up.  He looks at me quizzically. I guess he's not used to seeing any of his patients giving him a thumbs up after a "volume" procedure.  

He tells me they will be in touch with me as to the date when I get the seed implants.  

Thus I passed another hurdle in my current medical adventure.  One more procedure and then maybe I can get my life back to normal.  Can't happen soon enough.  Then maybe I can start being nice to Bill.  This isn't easy for him either.  I need to start smiling again.

The Old Ron

Colonoscopies and Other Invasive Medical Procedures

Today's subject is about the importance of getting a regular colonoscopy once you are over fifty years of age.

I was having a hard time coming up with a subject for today's blog post until I read my friend Dr. Spo's blog today. He will be undergoing his first colonoscopy in a couple of days.  I left two comments on his blog on the importance of getting regular colonoscopies.  

I was going to write about my upcoming procedure for my prostate cancer. My first appointment is tomorrow at the radiation oncology  unit at the Tunnel Cancer Center in Rehoboth Beach, DE.  Of course I am dreading this, the precursor to yet another invasive procedure to my body but a necessary one if I am to survive cancer free for a few more years.  Tomorrow I won't be poke or jabbed or suffer humiliation, pain and discomfort.  Tomorrow is a "get to know you" meeting which will take about two hours.  After going through all my options, I have decided to have radioactive seed implants.  More about that in another post.  This post is about the importance of colonoscopies.

I have had three colonoscopies.  The worst part about the colonoscopy procedure is what they innocently call "the prep."  That is the night before the procedure in this you have to cleanse your bowel tract of any fecal matter.  I won't sugar coat this, it is rough.  You have to drink 8 oz glasses of 4 liters of a liquid that taste like a mixture of toilet bowl cleaner and lime juice.  Gag?  After drinking the first few glasses you can call yourself "Lady Gag.....a".  God, it is AWFUL.  During my last "prep", I had Bill take a video of me drinking it and I posted it to You Tube.  It wasn't funny while I was taking it but I knew it would be funny someday.  I sort of see the humor in it now, I didn't then.  Dave Barry has a very funny article about his own "prep".  Hilarious but so true.  To read his colonoscopy article click here.

The actual procedure itself the next day is nothing.  In fact, it's sort of fun.  You don't even remember going out.  My last colonoscopy was in April of 2011.  It was a breeze.  I remember right before I was administered my "flight" medicine, my physicians' assistant asked me "Are you ready for your trip?"  I responded "I am sir".  The photos below were taken after my procedure.  As you can see I was still a little high and just returning to earth.  Now you can see why you need a driver.

Afterwards I was STARVING.  Hey, a little chicken broth the day before doesn't do it for me.  So what did I do?  I had Bill take me straight away to the Rehoboth Diner and I ordered my fav:  Eggplant Parmesan with fries!  This was 10:30 in the morning.  Best eggplant parm I've ever had in my life and I ate ALL OF IT.  

Let me emphasize the importance of having a regular colonoscopy after age fifty.  My Uncle Sam Tipton and my cousin Jeffrey Tipton never had colonoscopies.  Uncle Sam was 67 and cousin Jeffrey was 43. They always refused to have the procedure.  They both died of colon cancer.  My friend Ron B. never would have a colonoscopy. He died last year of colon cancer.  He was my age.  
My good friend and former boss Bill P. discovered he had colon cancer five years ago during a routine annual medical exam.  He had an operation that lasted eight hours.  He was given a one in four chance of survival. He sold his house and moved into a development so his wife wouldn't have to worry about mowing the grass and house maintenance.  He survived his operation only to have the colon cancer return six months later.  He had another operation which was successful.  He has now been a cancer survivor for over five years.  His doctor told him that if waited until the symptoms of colon cancer (usually blood in the toilet which is what both my uncle and cousin experienced), then it is usually too late.  

I know a colonoscopy is a very invasive procedure.  I recently had a prostate biopsy which was also a very invasive (and painful) procedure.  There are always risks involved in invasive procedures but when you weigh the odds, they're just not in your favor when you are over fifty and there is a history of colon cancer in your family.  

I wish my friend Dr. Spo well during his colonoscopy and also want to emphasize that he is doing exactly the right thing.  

My brother John laughing after I told him about my colonscopy "prep" night when I told him of my travails on iPhone FaceTime - brothers - never any sympathy

Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions

Feeding the seagulls this morning at Rehoboth Beach

Oh how I wish I could post something today that is light and upbeat.  The best I can do is post this picture of sea gulls that I took early this morning at Rehoboth Beach.  I had some left over Panera bread in my freezer that I was never going to eat (I'm not a bread person) so I decided to feed the sea gulls on this cold February morning.  They appreciate it plus I can take some new photos.

If it wasn't so cold (27 degrees) and windy this morning I would have taken a walk on the boardwalk but that was out of the question this morning.  In fact, the parking lot where I parked my car was an ice rink.  Not the ideal conditions for a morning walk.  Plus, I have yet another nagging cold.  

Yes, I have another cold.  This one is a head cold.  My sinuses are the repository this time of the cold/flu infection instead of my lungs like my last cold.  Thank God my sinuses are draining but still I feel washed out and my nose is raw from blowing it.  

So here is where I am on my decision for what kind of treatment for my prostate cancer.  After talking to some more men, including two "Riches" (a coincidence), I have just about decided to have my prostate removed and be done with it.  

Of course in any kind of treatment there are upsides and downsides.  The main downside to a radical prostatectomy is incontinence.  In other words I would be wearing a diaper for a certain period of time. This possibility was the main reason I decided not to get a prostate biopsy last year.  I met a man at a friend's Christmas dinner who had his prostate removed.  He was wearing Depends.  He said "Well, I don't have cancer anymore." Of course I was freaked out and cancelled my biopsy appointment.  

All year I lived with this dark cloud hanging over my head.  This year I decided to get the biopsy after I had more urinary problems.  My results came back that six of the twelve samples indicated cancer. 

My urologist strongly recommended radiation therapy.  He said "You don't want to be wearing a diaper for four months do you?" Of course I didn't.

When I got home I checked with my neighbor Rich (the first "Rich").  Last summer he underwent the twelve week regimen of radiation.  Quite frankly he looked like death warmed over during this period.  All gray and washed out.  He is 76 years old.  He looks good now though.  He told me that his PSA score was down and he should be good "until it comes back", which he said it will.  "Until it comes back?"  Do I want the cancer to come back?  I guess it will as long as those cancer cells are floating around your prostate gland.  The thinking here is that an older man will die of something else before he dies of prostate cancer.  

Yesterday I called a friend of a friend who had his prostate removed.  He is doing fine now but right after his surgery he was incontinent for two months.  He said another man he knew was incontinent for nine months.  So "one size doesn't fit all" which I am finding out during my research.

He strongly recommended removal of the prostate.  He said he didn't like his body radiated and just wanted to be rid of the cancer and possible return.  

This morning I talked to my friend Rich (the second "Rich") who had his prostate removed six years ago when he was 64 years old.  He said he wore a catheter for five days (over a long weekend) but wasn't incontinent at all. He said all his functions returned, including sexual.  In Rich's case he sought out a doctor who had a lot of experience with prostate removal.  

I think that is the key, get a doctor who is very experienced.  Last night I was on the Internet checking out the Johns Hopkins website.  Johns Hopkins Medical is only two hours away from where I live and one of the best medical facilities for prostate treatment.  A friend of mine said he would take me there.  This is too much for Bill and I have no experience driving in cities, especially one I'm not familiar with.  

So this is what I have decided.  Tomorrow I will call Johns Hopkins and tell them my situation.  I would like them to evaluate my medical records and give me a second opinion.  There is a slim chance that I don't have prostate cancer.  This is what happened with my cousin Steve Tipton.  He was all set to have his prostate removed and when he went to another doctor ("Dr. Magic Hands" he called him because Steve was concerned about losing his sexual function), that doctor reviewed his medical records and said he didn't have prostate cancer!  He said he had prostatitis, an infection of the prostate and thus did not have to have any treatment.  I don't think I'll be that lucky but I am going to get a second opinion first.

If it is confirmed that I have prostate cancer, then I will ask if I am a good candidate for prostate removal.  At 71 years of age, I am right on the cusp of those older men for whom prostate removal is not recommended, especially men who don't have good health.  Other than this nasty head cold I have now, I am in good health.  

So that's where I am now folks: tomorrow I will arrange to have my medical records transferred to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion.  If I do have prostate cancer then I will ask if I can have it removed.  I want to be done with this cancer and get my life back to normal.  

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment on my previous posting on this subject.  I appreciate your concern, it is very comforting during this stressful time.