I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2019, with Gleason scores 8 (1 core); 7 (3 cores); and 6 (8 cores). After reviewing options, decided on robotic prostatectomy. On Dec 13, 2019, the procedure was aborted because seminal vesicles were involved and looked undefined, lymph node biopsy showed cancer, and location to rectum lead surgeon to believe colostomy might be necessary if he continued.
New scans (bone and CT) showed no other metastasis. So new treatment regimen is ADT (started with Bicalutamide oral and had first Lupron shot 12/31/2019 (Happy New Year!)).
Radiation and Zytiga to start soon.
So far, sexual impacts have been minimal. I have been involved with the Restore Study for gay men with prostate cancer, and have been on daily low dose sildenafil (40 mg daily/ 100 mg day of sex), vacuum pump, and Keagle‘s, and daily “rehab therapy” aka masturbation or sex.
Hoping I will be able to maintain function for as long as I can.
Thanks everyone for all your posts... very helpful!
Rich
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I hope you will look into external beam readiation with a HDR brachytherapy boost and 2 years of hormone therapy. The reason I emphasize HDR brachytherapy and not LDR brachytherapy (seeds) is because it can reach places, like the seminal vesicles and rectum, where seeds cannot be placed.
I think you should try to get a PSMA PET scan at one of the few places where you can buy one. The purposes are (1) to be sure there are no distant metastases and (2) to find pelvic lymph nodes where an extra dose may be useful. It's free at NIH, but they have a long waiting list. It's $2800 at UCLA and their current wait is 6-8 weeks. You can also try these:
Hey Rich, I just wanted to reach out to let you know that I totally understand the twists and turns of this journey and that you are in a good community of fellas to help you navigate through it. Good luck and health!
Well Rich , I too wasn’t a candidate for surgery . Rt and adt put me in remission . It can do the same for you . Many fellows have an RP and then ooops we missed some ... also many have permanent Ed with an RP.. plus good avoiding a colostomy.... They didn’t even think about surgery with me.. The real truth rich is that after some time on adt ( when you become castrated chemically) you won’t even think or desire sex anymore. I had no balls but night wood each night. So anything is possible . My specialist told me that Rt on top of adt was the nail in my coffin for erections.. During daylight hours there is no thoughts of sex... and I was addicted to sex since 15 years old. Now it’s just an afterthought. I’m not trying to bum you out . Just telling you that you will be chemically changed forever. Pushing pc away now is the goal ..sex takes a back seat to living without T..So whatever you’ve always enjoyed before this besides sex is now more important. For me it my wife puppy music comedy friends laughing and dancing. Now you know you’re treatment path. Live healthier than before but practice daily happiness. If your like me you’ll have many emotional ups and downs. It s par for the course .. Take care rad dude! 👍
Kinda “hard” imagining not being interested in sex, as it has been a big part of my life. Also, I’m newly married (St Paddy’s Day will be 2 years) and it’s a huge adjustment.
Erections are working for now, and although interest or drive is lowering, I am able to push myself to be available and enjoy engaging in sex, even if sometimes it’s mostly to be there for my husband.
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