The Cancer Consults: The Next Step

Karin and I met with Dr. Jay Zink, a robotic laparoscopic urology physician at Group Health in Seattle, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and had a very good conversation about the pros and cons of having a laparoscopic prostatectomy.  One of the questions I asked him was “What has been your outcome success; in other words, how’s your batting average?”  He told us that if I were asking about men who had prostates four times normal size, it would not be really very good.  But, on the other hand, if I were asking about a man in my situation, the outcome would be very good because mine had not enlarged and would be a fairly straightforward surgical procedure.

We also asked about the advantages/disadvantages of robot-assisted surgery.  Two things stood out for me:  1) the short-term recovery time is shorter in terms of wound healing time because the incisions (there will tree small holes) are more precise.  And 2) blood loss is considerably less with this surgery (about 2-3 tablespoons) compare with regular open surgery (2-3 pints).  The longer-term recovery is about the same; I’m planning on taking a few weeks off from work at Seattle Children’s to let everything heal up and return to normal as much as possible.

On the way home Karin said that we should talk and pray about our decision over the weekend and then decide.  I said right there in the car that I had decided to go with Dr. Zink; she thought that was a good decision.  So, I have surgery scheduled for February 3, 2012.  That gives us time to enjoy the holidays with friends and family without worrying about making this decision.

So the saga will continue in a couple of months.  I’ll let you know when the next installment of my adventure will be published on this blog.  Thanks to all of you who have been keeping Karin and me in your prayers.  We can certainly feel them daily!  And we are assured that the Lord is still in the middle of our circumstances, as he has been from the beginning.  Meanwhile, everyone please enjoy your preparations as you get ready for the holidays!