Lee Dilday

Thank you for visiting Lee's CaringBridge website. We are using this site to keep family and friends updated. We appreciate all the love, support, words of hope and encouragement we have received so far.  We want you to know that we are NOT asking for any donations! The website will not allow users to turn off the Donate Requests - please ignore them on Lee's behalf. 


Lee started having symptoms related to prostate problems in early Spring 2017. His primary doctor did some initial screening and found that his PSA level was  2.7, anything over 2.5 is considered high.  PSA is an enzyme in the blood that is produced exclusively by prostate cells and normal levels are between 0 - 2.5. He treated him for a prostate infection and had him return for a follow-up two months later. At that time, Lee's PSA had risen to 3.8, so he referred him to a Urologist, Dr. Grant, in Shreveport, LA. Dr. Grant performed a biopsy and  6 of the 14 biopsy samples reflected cancerous cells. Based on those results and other factors, on August 30, 2017, Lee was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason Score of 7 out of 10. Below 5 is normal, 6-7 is medium risk and 8-10 is high risk. Dr. Grant explained there are two different types of treatment paths, surgery or radiation. Based on Lee's age and stage of cancer, he recommended surgery. 

After a considerable amount of research and talking with friends we know in medicine (there are 5 different types of radiation therapy to choose from and two types of surgery), Lee decided to have a prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate) using the latest technology, Davinci robotic surgery. The new robotic surgery is much less invasive and does minimal damage to the nerves and tissues surrounding the prostate vs the traditional prostate removal surgery. Outcomes are much better and recovery is much better also. We wanted to find one of the best Davinci surgeons available that specialized in prostatectomies. Lee's sister Cindy, who lives outside of Charlotte, NC,  has a friend that is a Radiologist. Cindy's friend recommended a colleague, Dr. Kris Gaston. He practices in Charlotte, and is a Urologist who is an expert in Davinci robotic surgery and almost exclusively performs prostatectomies. As most of you know, it can take weeks and months to get into a good specialist. Dr. Gaston's office called Lee yesterday and they are fast tracking his case, we are so so grateful. Lee is seeing Dr. Gaston on Sep 21.  After examining him, he will determine if he wants a CT scan done to see if the cancer has spread. His original Urologist, Dr. Grant, and the radiologist I mentioned earlier both believe the cancer has not spread at this point. 

I'm Sarah, Lee's girlfriend, and I will be keeping the site updated. Anyone who knows Lee knows he is a private person.  He agreed to this website because it will be a good way to keep everyone updated on his progress. You can send Lee messages from this site. If you want to call, email or text Lee, please don't hesitate to do that either - whatever works for you.  


Lee and I were living in Ruston, LA together until recently. I have taken a job in Beaufort, SC and moved here the last week of August. Lee is still living in Ruston until we sell the house. However, we received great news today! Lee's company is going to be able to transfer him to Beaufort, SC. That was such uplifting news for both of us today! 

Throughout this process, Lee has been very upbeat and positive...his strength and faith are amazing.  The surgery has the potential to totally cure Lee and we are holding good thoughts this will be the outcome. We will continue to update you on the days to come. Thank you again for thinking of Lee and visiting the site. 

Much Love, Lee and Sarah