Davinci surgery was easier on me than prostate biopsy

NM
NM Member Posts: 214
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
Hi all its been almost 2 weeks since Davinci and I feel good no incontinence at all. I know what I am posting seems backwards but I had a 24 needle biopsy and it got infected. I couldnt pee w/o extreme pain. I was back in the emergency room and put on antibiotics. It took almost 2 weeks for me to get back to anywhere near normal. After Davinci I had gas for 2 days since then no pain. I can still feel where I was stitched but its a discomfort rather than pain.I posted this because it shows how different every man is. Who knew a biopsy would be worse than the surgery but for me it was. God bless all who have had the surgery and all who are going to.Also all those who are just starting this journey and havent made a treatment decision. I wish all the best for everyone.......Nick

Comments

  • luckyman2
    luckyman2 Member Posts: 54
    Biopsy versus laparoscopy surgery
    I was disgnosed with prostate cancer in March 2007. (Stage 1, Gleason score 7, PSA 4.96)

    I found the biopsy procedure uncomfortable and the urologist took only 8 samples. I described the feeling to my wife like this, "It felt like someone had shoved a frozen billiard ball up my butt!" Of course, she wanted to know how would I know such a thing. However, she understood my reluctance to undergo that procedure again and again should I opt for "watchful waiting" instead of surgery or any other treatment. So, the prospect of going through that was one of the deciding factors in having the surgery ASAP.

    I had the prostate removed through laparoscopy surgery (with both vascular/nerve bundles spared) in November 2007. At the time Davinci surgery was not available where I live in Canada. The most uncomfortable part of the surgery and post-op recovery was the Foley catheter for 8 days. A year and a half later everything is pretty much physically back to normal... and my PSA remains at a big fat zero! Mentally, it's still a struggle. It is indeed a journey and it is different for every man and their spouse.
  • Opa N
    Opa N Member Posts: 3
    I am about on the same
    I am about on the same recovery schedule as NM. My surgery was on August 27. The catheder came out on September 8, a week ago. I am going through the dribbling of urine now, and hope it improves soon. Doing Klegs every day. How is it you are not having incontinence problems?
    Thanks.
    Opa N
  • SubicSquid
    SubicSquid Member Posts: 11
    Bad Biopsy
    I too got a bad infection from the biopsy resulting in me taking IV antibiotics and wearing a catheter for a week. I hope my surgery is much less of a problem. I was originally scheduled for open surgery because of many things (high Gleason and obesity among other things) and my surgeon was more comfortable doing open. But, he has arranged for me to meet with a surgeon who specializes in DaVinci, and if he agrees to do the surgery I am all set. I will meet the new guy on September 29 and am scheduled for surgery either way on October 22. I was orginally diagnosed in July, but because of the bad infection from the biopsy, and scheduling matters, the surgery has been delayed until October. I also got an infection from the catheter so I am definately not looking forward to that again. I guess I am an infection magnet. I really want the DaVinci surgery rather than open if possible because of all the success I read about in this group. But because of my fat gut, either method is going to be a challange for the doctor. I am trying to be optomistic.
  • NM
    NM Member Posts: 214
    Opa N said:

    I am about on the same
    I am about on the same recovery schedule as NM. My surgery was on August 27. The catheder came out on September 8, a week ago. I am going through the dribbling of urine now, and hope it improves soon. Doing Klegs every day. How is it you are not having incontinence problems?
    Thanks.
    Opa N

    Opa N
    I am not sure why but I have had absolutely no incontinence at all. My surgeon was very through as I had a lot of cancer in the prostate, so I must attribute some of it to my age as Im 52 If you read my earlier posts I described my post surgery in more detail on those...Nick
  • NM
    NM Member Posts: 214

    Bad Biopsy
    I too got a bad infection from the biopsy resulting in me taking IV antibiotics and wearing a catheter for a week. I hope my surgery is much less of a problem. I was originally scheduled for open surgery because of many things (high Gleason and obesity among other things) and my surgeon was more comfortable doing open. But, he has arranged for me to meet with a surgeon who specializes in DaVinci, and if he agrees to do the surgery I am all set. I will meet the new guy on September 29 and am scheduled for surgery either way on October 22. I was orginally diagnosed in July, but because of the bad infection from the biopsy, and scheduling matters, the surgery has been delayed until October. I also got an infection from the catheter so I am definately not looking forward to that again. I guess I am an infection magnet. I really want the DaVinci surgery rather than open if possible because of all the success I read about in this group. But because of my fat gut, either method is going to be a challange for the doctor. I am trying to be optomistic.

    Trust your doctor
    Subic all I can say to you is have faith in your doctor.Mine was very open on his ammount of surgeries done and his success rate on incontinence and other issues. I hope for nothing but a successful surgery for you and will pray for you too.....Nick
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