Dr. Weizer??

[mstlyn]

Well,
I was thinking about starting a poll on this subject- to see how many post RPLND'ers have retrograde..
I do, and I was a Sheinfeld patient- pre-chemo, right template RPLND with no enlarged nodes. Seems like "The Master" would have been able to preserve the nerves, but I have dry ejaculations. Sheinfeld made it very clear that this could be a possibility.

At first I was a little disappointed at being retrograde, hoping that after some time I would get my fluid back, but it has been 10 months and still nothing. I have come to accept that it won't return, although Sheinfeld has told me that he has seen every situation in the past. He tells me that it could still return. It is important for everyone to know that this has not affected my sensation what-so-ever! Sex is still as good as it has ever been. In fact, clean up has never been eaiser!

Tammy, my heart is reaching out to you and Anthony. And the tone of this thread has been disturbing. Please go easy guys, one of our own is in trouble.
Retrograde is not the end of sex, but it can be the end of streility. Tell Anthony to bank sperm and I wish you the very best for a successful RPLND!
PM me if you wish
Joe

Joe, thank you for this. Anthony banked two times before he started chemo. They told him that his count was low ( I think it was 10 mil.) but still enough to work. I guess with it being low it just means it is more chance for failure...
Thank you for caring! Big Hugs to you!

Tammy

[mstlyn]

Well said, Margaret.

Scott, short, sweet, and to the point

I thought Id send a big hug to you too!

Tammy

[boyce]

And THAT is why this board exists

Tammy,

You talked to the very best (my opinion) RPLND surgeon on the planet. You methim through this board, and he is providing you a treatment option that you didn't even know existed (nerve sparing). I am Beaming because that's one of the real values of this board.

A Very special Thank you to the moderators for their service.

Get your boy to the best surgean that you can, and don't accept No as an answer.

I will help in any way at all!

[mstlyn]

Tammy,

You talked to the very best (my opinion) RPLND surgeon on the planet. You methim through this board, and he is providing you a treatment option that you didn't even know existed (nerve sparing). I am Beaming because that's one of the real values of this board.

A Very special Thank you to the moderators for their service.

Get your boy to the best surgean that you can, and don't accept No as an answer.

I will help in any way at all!

I couldn't agree with you more, Boyce. If not for this forum I'm afraid of what would be going on with Anthony right now. I have really learned a lot through all of you, and have been led to the best doctors in the country. Of course it's hard to take advantage of the best in the country (financially, travel expenses, etc ..) but even so, phone consults and email has been very helpful...

Well I am certainly trying to get the best care that we can. We have run into a few problems here.

I am still waiting to hear from dorrie to see if she can get Anthony an appointment with Dr. Cheryl Lee at U of M (the one sheinfeld trained). Dorrie told me that some places have a policy that once you have seen one doctor, the other doctors as the same facility will not take their patient.

I called U of M and spoke to an oncology nurse to ask her about this and she said that yes, sometimes thats how it is because all of these surgeons work together. She also told me that Dr. Montie does not do surgery any longer.

She suggested that my sons urologist Dr. Bauer, call their doctor communication line and speak to Dr. Cheryl Lee himself about my sons case.

I don't know what that is going to accomplish if she won't see him because of his meeting with Dr. Hafez. Personally I think that is rediculous to tell a patient they are stuck with the first doctor they met, because now the other ones wont see him. This is CANCER not a cold, and some doctors have more expereince than others. Patients should have the choice. Anyway, I may be getting ahead of myself. I'll wait to see if we can get him in to see this other doctor before I spout off too much.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eric Klein (cleveland clinic)wants to see Anthony there at 1 pm tomorrow. Wouldnt you know it, my car is having problems and I can't take it on the road that far. I am trying to get a rental, but the problem is that they open at 8 am, then I need time to go back to U of M to get the CT films I left with Dr. Hafez, and try to make it to cleveland by 1. I'm not sure I can make it.
I called cleveland back to see if they can get him in next week instead, but they told me probably not, and that Dr. Klein is fitting him into a tight schedule because he needs to be seen.

Today will be spent trying to remove barriers...

[Margaret]

Tammy,

I wish I was there, I would drive you and Anthony myself . Car problems are such a pain.

I had an idea for you...Since Sheinfeld trained Dr. Cheryl Lee, I bet if you asked, he would make a phone call to him. Doctors reaching out to other doctors really can make a big difference. That is how we got Dr. Sheinfeld to call us in the first place. I would call Dr. Sheinfeld and let him know the hurdles you are facing and I bet he can make some head way for you.

Best of luck with everything and I hope the appt goes well tomorrow.

M.

[Already Bald]

Since Sheinfeld trained Dr. Cheryl Lee, I bet if you asked, he would make a phone call to him. Doctors reaching out to other doctors really can make a big difference.

Margaret, I think that is a good idea- Dr. Sheinfeld's office may just have the authority needed to get Dr. Lee on the case.
I've been in sales for 20 years, and have many times broken that "first contact" rule to better serve the customer with the more experienced rep. It seems to me it should be the same in medicine.

Tammy, just when you needed car trouble, right?? You and Anthony will get through this thing, just stay focused and take one step at a time.
Thinking about you in Pennsylvania.
Joe

[Savin16]

Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and Anthony. What a GREAT mom you are.

[Russell's Mom]

me too

Me too. My hands are full right now, (we are starting to head into the Bleo Toxicty-decrease the steroids mode) but am thinking of you and the terrific energy of the group to power through what I call the white water rapids of life. The waves are big, undependable and frequently frightening. We all face the unusuals while we are out of balance ourselves...still people are there for each other in outstanding ways. Quite amazing when you step back and look at the information, territory and support that is happening. But...me too I am thinking of you. Russell's Mom, Sharon