Post Surgery Update...

[dtr1960]

So, I'm 3 months out of surgery (radical retropubic prostatectomy), and just received my first evaluation of my most recent blood draw...to bring everyone up to speed with my specifics,

56 year old, no family history of any kind of cancer, excellent state of general health and physical condition (152 lbs.) not presenting any "early" warning signs or symptoms prior to diagnosis...my cancer was found during my routine annual physical exam when my blood work revealed an increase in my PSA from 3.9 to 5.9..... from 10 biopsy samples, 3 were positive for cancer, 3 were suspect, but inconclusive , my gleason score was a 3+4 (7) ...after surgery, pathology indicated my lymph nodes were clear, and my margins were clear, no signs of any cancer outside of the prostate....my PSA is currently 0.009....

Incontinence is all but non-existant , good flow, good duration, only a drop or two will leak out if I do something like force myself to pass gas, impotence is improving, I have blood flow, but still nothing "usable" in terms of an erection. I've tried Viagra, couldn't tell it made any difference, my doctor tells me I'm being impatient and too hard on myself...it's just going to take some time....I still think in terms of me healing like I was 18, but my body keeps reminding me that I'm not...that's the most frustrating part for me, goes against my nature...

So, all in all, I don't have much, if anything to complain about, I'm like the poster child for "early" detection...seems as if everything couldn't have worked out any better for me, if I had to have a cancer experience...so why do I feel so guilty???

I hesitate to say anything, or share my experience, because so much of what I read is so completely opposite of my case...so many men are NOT having the results that I have, I feel guilty sometimes (most of the time) about talking about my journey with cancer, I don't want to come off as a braggart , when so many other men are dealing with much more difficult struggles related to their prostate cancer...

but then I am reminded of how I felt , when this whole "cancer" thing was new to me, the not knowing whats next, or how things would work out, or what to expect, I read books, did research on the inter web , almost made me more depressed, then I came across this group, a place where we are all going through the same thing, I began to read some of the experiences of others here, many of them seemed to be very hopeless, as I read, I felt as though, shit, if it's this bad, why bother???....but then cancer wins, and as I mentioned, that goes against my nature, I'm a highly competitive individual, I can't stand to loose at anything...so, I share my story, and experience here, so that others that find their way here, as newcomers to the family of "cancer" patients, find that there is hope, there are cases where the outcome can be very good, and that where your "mind" is, during your treatment process, can be as important as any treatment you may be receiving....

A good friend of mine told me not to think of my cancer as a "battle"....but rather to think of it as a journey , that tends to put your mind at a state of ease, and clarity, as opposed to being in a fight, ragging against a disease....he was right, at least for me...

I can only hope , and pray, that through my journey, someone else, new to the family of cancer patients, can find hope, and the courage to put one foot in front of the other, and begin their own journey.

[KwajMike]

Thanks, I'm having surgery next week and am fairly apprehensive so it's good to hear about a positive outcome.

[RedRebel]

Thanks dtr

I just got the results of my first cat scan yesterday and it looks like all the cancer is still inside the prostate, I get another result tonight, that is the radioactive bone scan I did last week. Tomorrow I go to see a consultant in Milan. I am pretty much certain he will recommend his method of removing the prostate, which is laparoscopic, da Vinci, robotic procedure through the perineum to the rear of the prostate. Apparently there is less blood loss, less chance of nerve damage and a quicker recovery time. I will keep all updated as it is good that we all share info and beat this cancer.

Like you I am a fit guy, I ski, run, cycle, swim. Never had any symptoms, even now I have no symptoms, erections hard and great, urine function perfect. It seems surreal to find out I have cancer Gleason 8 (4+4) in one side of the prostate and other side (3+4)7. It is really lucky I found this out. No wonder that they call this cancer a silent killer is it.

I am really happy for you beating this disease and I wish you all the very best in the future.

Jamie

[dtr1960 in reply to RedRebel]

Thanks Jamie, and I will be praying for you to have complete success as well.I went old school open surgery only because my doctor has done over 700 of these types of surgery (all successful), and the surgeon that does the DaVinci has done fewer than 50...I am a big believer in there's no substitute for experience , and I did not want to be one of the younger doctors "learning curve" patients....DaVinci or open, either one is only as good as the surgeon doing the procedure, there is less blood loss, and shorter healing time with the DaVinci, however, nerve damage is in the hands(skill) of the doctor...that's what I based my decision on...

[telboy15]

Great news for you. I have written a number of times on this forum, but am repeating most of that in response to your letter.

Back in July 2015, my wife suggested that I should have a PSA test although I had had no symptoms at all and was very fit. The result was a PSA of 5. The GP suggested that he did a rectum exam which indicated a small lump on the prostate. He referred me to hospital for a Urology check. Rectum exam agreed that there was a small lump. MRI showed no leakage and the biopsy gave a Gleason score of 8 (Biopsy showed some benign spots but also cancerous spots of 3+3 = 6; 4+3 = 7 and 5=5 = 10. Overall Gleason being 8).

The Urologist arranged a CT scan and full bone scan as a thorough check. These all came back negative confirming that the cancer was prostate confined. After discussion with the Urologist on various treatment options, and with me not wishing to undergo weeks of radiotherapy involving some distance of travel each day, the Urologist said that as I appeared to be fit (and healthy!) he said that radical prostatectomy by Da Vinci would be the best option even though I was 74 years old!

I had the surgery in Nov 2015. No pain at all and home the next day. I had a bag on for 8 days and wore pads for around 6 weeks. After that, no dripping pee at all. Of course there is no erections or ejaculate, but at 75 now, that is a small price to pay. PSA tests at 6 weeks and 3 months showed PSA of 0.01. Next check is 1 August followed by a telephone report to me on the PSA result. Then a check at 6 months and probably then 12 months. Like you, I consider myself to be lucky.

I have said before, that we are all different, although we have all gone through these tests and checks and hence have a lot in common. Clearly PSA tests should be the norm for all men, as Breast cancer screening is the norm for older women. Until this happens, many more men will suddenly find that they have prostate cancer.

Terry

[dtr1960 in reply to telboy15]

glad to hear your surgery went well, I've been told it can take 18 -24 months for the nerves to repair themselves to functioning again, so, don't throw the towel in yet!!!, even if you are 75...might have some "action" left in you yet still !!!

[telboy15 in reply to dtr1960]

Not really that simple. No nerves now. They were removed in the op as is very common for those with a Gleason score of 8+. I don't believe that the nerves can ever regrow.

I have a 'pump' which is one of the ED offers. Non invasive and it seems OK, BUT we have not tried it 'in action' yet for various reasons.

[DesBodd]

Live for each day and be positive that is how I have dealt with the same process as you. Life is to short to worry about what ifs. Ask loads of questions join a group like this and your mind can be eased knowing that you are not alone. Enjoyed reading of your experience. Thank you.

[RedRebel]

I have seen two consultant surgeons now and am a bit confused. One has told me that he is putting me on cosadex to stop the cancer growing and making it shrink and the other specialist tells me no, that there is no scientific evidence this drug works as suggested by the first consultant. Has anybody else been put on this drug, if so has it slowed the cancer by depriving it of testosterone?

Thanks

Jamie

[RedRebel]

The above should have read Casodex