Thinking of a Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy

Jim42

I am looking for anyone who has any experience with Dr. Keith A. Schultz, Urologist in Bremerton WA. He is with the Kitsap Urology Associates, 2500 Cherry St, Suite 301, Bremerton Washington 98310. He is the urologist that did my biopsy and may do my surgery. Please let me know if you have any information, good or bad, about Dr. Schultz.

I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer about a month ago. After reading The Complete Guide to Prostate Cancer (not every page but most of it) and consulting with Dr. Schultz, an Oncologist, and my primary care Doctor, I have decided that a Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy using the nerve sparing technique is best for me.

My PSA had been going up slowly for several years so I was sent for a biopsy. Cancer turned up in 1 sample out of 12. The Gleason score is 6, T1c, and it appears to be confined to the prostate. I am 65 years old and otherwise in excellent health.

Does anyone out there have any information, good or bad about Dr. Keith A. Schultz and or Harrison Hospital in Bremerton Washington?

rogermoore

JW,

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. However, you should be able to receive some very good information and feedback from participants on this site.

I am a 7 yr survivor of PC which was treated with a RP using the nerve-sparing technique. I have been able to resume all functionality following surgery with no exceptions.

Altough my surgery was performed using the "old" open incision method, the "gold Standard" today is the robotic technique. From all indications, if I were to have it done today I would select a facility and Dr. that would be doing the surgery using that method.

You might want to do a search from the home page using the word "robotic" and see how many participants have posted messages concerning the procedure. You could then e-mail the people you felt would give you the best feedback.

Good Luck,

Roger

RichardRS

JW. Good luck with your decision process. I have spent two months researching and "for my case" robotic surgery is the best option. Robotic Surgery appears to be excellent for nerve sparing and for minimizing side effect, plus quick recovery. I will tell you how it goes after my surgery on Wed 12th. The consensus seems to be to find a specialist who has done many robotic procedures and has an outstanding reputation and a has high non-recurrence rate indicating he found and took out all the cancer.

If you are curious, the procedure can be viewed at
http://www.stronghealth.com/services/urology/webcast.cfm
or
http://www.youtube.com/ then search for prostate surgery.

Jim42

RichardRS said:

JW. Good luck with your decision process. I have spent two months researching and "for my case" robotic surgery is the best option. Robotic Surgery appears to be excellent for nerve sparing and for minimizing side effect, plus quick recovery. I will tell you how it goes after my surgery on Wed 12th. The consensus seems to be to find a specialist who has done many robotic procedures and has an outstanding reputation and a has high non-recurrence rate indicating he found and took out all the cancer.

If you are curious, the procedure can be viewed at
http://www.stronghealth.com/services/urology/webcast.cfm
or
http://www.youtube.com/ then search for prostate surgery.

Thanks for your input and advice. I hope and pray that your surgery goes well. I will be praying for you and your Doctor/surgery team.

Jim42

rogermoore said:

JW,

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. However, you should be able to receive some very good information and feedback from participants on this site.

I am a 7 yr survivor of PC which was treated with a RP using the nerve-sparing technique. I have been able to resume all functionality following surgery with no exceptions.

Altough my surgery was performed using the "old" open incision method, the "gold Standard" today is the robotic technique. From all indications, if I were to have it done today I would select a facility and Dr. that would be doing the surgery using that method.

You might want to do a search from the home page using the word "robotic" and see how many participants have posted messages concerning the procedure. You could then e-mail the people you felt would give you the best feedback.

Good Luck,

Roger

Thanks. My research will continue. You provided good news with your report that all functionality returned after surgery.

How long did it take to get everything back?

rogermoore

Jim42 said:

Thanks. My research will continue. You provided good news with your report that all functionality returned after surgery.

How long did it take to get everything back?

jw,

I was extremely fortunate in that I was essentially dry (only needed light pads) and able to resume sexual activity within 6-8 wks. My age at time of surgery was 58 and I was in what most would consider really good health. Also, I religiously practiced the kegel exercises for several weeks prior to surgery. This is very important in order to regain your control over the urinary tract.

Again, you must realize EVERYONE is different with different recovery times.

Best of luck and feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might feel too personal to post.

Roger

Chaaaz

Jim42 said:

Thanks. My research will continue. You provided good news with your report that all functionality returned after surgery.

How long did it take to get everything back?

Be careful with your expectations; sometimes it does NOT come back, despite the Doc being an "Artist" at the surgery! I am 11.5 years post Nerve-sparing RP, and the cancer has returned recently, but erections never, ever, did.

Caveat Emptor!

RichardRS

Jim42 said:

Thanks for your input and advice. I hope and pray that your surgery goes well. I will be praying for you and your Doctor/surgery team.

JW
thank you for your good wishes.