The decision for surgery

    I went to a few different doctors to see what they had to say and everyone of them said that for my age and how small it was and being totally confined to my prostate that I should have the surgery, but if I like they would give me the radiation. I kept reading booklets about prostate cancer but they didn't help. I tried to find help on the internet but everything there was out dated and no one was updating the pages. Even the chat rooms and email's had no replies for my cries for help, I had so many questions.

    I came to the conclusion that surgery was the best way for me to go considering my age and all. Plus they thought the cancer was just on one side and very small. I made another appointment with the doctor so I could tell him my decision and I had to do it with my wife as he said we both need to make it as it will affect both of us for the rest of our lives. When I told him of my decision he then opened up and told me many things. He even called me at home to talk as he knew I was scared and had hundreds of questions. He was GREAT, now he had me start taking lots of iron so I could give my own blood for the surgery, as I would need about 3 pints for the operation. It seems this is a very bloody surgery.

    I set up an appointment so I could give blood. 3 pints over a 3 week period of time. But first I had to take my high doses of iron pills to build myself up for 2 weeks. I took the iron pills up until surgery. The week after my last blood donation I just rested and traveled to see my daughter and grandkids on the east coast. They couldn't come to see me. Besides the little ones didn't need to know what was going to happen anyways, so I went there as I had to see them before surgery. So the next week I went for a great visit with them. Then I was home for my final week of pretests and hospital registration. My son came home from Europe that week to spend the next 2 months. He was going to help me with all the things I couldn't do after surgery. It sure was nice and it really helped my wife and me out too.