a hearing ear

TomBk

I just thought if anyone out there is recently diagnosed with PC and is just needing someone to talk to then I am here. I do answer my messages.

I was diagnosed with early stage PC and we were able to get it taken care of with a radical prostatectomy (surgery). I was diagnosed in November of 2004 and the surgery was in January of 2005. I was incontinent for awhile but not long. I had ED (erectile dysfunction) pretty bad though. I am an emotional person by nature and was devastated by the onset of this disease. When first diagnosed as I live alone and have no significant other I went int a kind of shock and had a very hard time getting through the day. I didn't read my mail for 3 months, I didn't care.

I recovered quickly from the surgery but with the ED I took a nose dive emotionally. My sexual function had been good before the surgery and after it was nothing. Of course I knew the body has been through a great shock but months and months went by and it seemed my penis was shrinking in length as well. I went into bad depression. I was only 54 (I am 55 now). We tried all sorts of pills and even the shot to the penis but they all only produced a partial erection and I got even more depressed. The doctor approached me with the thought of implants. My view was that was something as a last resort for men in their 80's and totally rejected the idea. But in a few days I asked to be shown how it works and asked details about the surgery itself and we discussed it and he answered all my questions. He had a seminar on it a few days later and I went, there were lots of men with their wives and girl friends. It was a good meeting. I decided I would do this and did. I got the 'Cadillac' model as I wanted the best they had. That surgery was in August of last year.

Now it is 9 months later. The cancer is gone, no trace of it. I have no incontinence. I have completely healed from the implant surgery and the scar is tiny and in an area where no one could see it anyways. My penis is as long or longer than before and I can have great erections and orgasms. The doctor came to my rescue about the depression and had one of his collegues rush over to visit with me and help me. Emotionally I am almost back to my jolly self again. I am on an anti-depressant but only for a few more months, probably until November. I am happy again and have moved on. I just thought perhaps someone may need another guy, one who has been through it, to talk to.

I think we all find that there are many guys on this website who are very willing to help and many more knowledgeable than myself.

Willx

Hi Everyone. Tom and I have been exchanging private messages for some time now, and I can assure you, he is a good person to do that with. Anything you ask, he is willing to discuss and in a very helpful way. No brushing one off to go read a web site or what someone else has written - he will tell you like it is, with his own experience. Talk to him.

TomBk

Willx said:

Hi Everyone. Tom and I have been exchanging private messages for some time now, and I can assure you, he is a good person to do that with. Anything you ask, he is willing to discuss and in a very helpful way. No brushing one off to go read a web site or what someone else has written - he will tell you like it is, with his own experience. Talk to him.

Thanks, that is the best compliment anyone has ever paid me.

tes36

hello i know what yor going through i was diagnosed with PC in nov 2005 and i just had my last sugery with cancer in april of 2006 they said im cancer free now but i still have to have reconstructive surgery still from where they had to remove the hole head of my penis but im sorry to hear about everything you went through im 36 and married im glad i did have someone there to help me through it your id probalbly of went nuts but my wife is there by side im glad on that but im scraced a little of not knowing what they are going to do now can you help me out a little and explane what they will be doing and ty for listen

TomBk

tes36 said:

hello i know what yor going through i was diagnosed with PC in nov 2005 and i just had my last sugery with cancer in april of 2006 they said im cancer free now but i still have to have reconstructive surgery still from where they had to remove the hole head of my penis but im sorry to hear about everything you went through im 36 and married im glad i did have someone there to help me through it your id probalbly of went nuts but my wife is there by side im glad on that but im scraced a little of not knowing what they are going to do now can you help me out a little and explane what they will be doing and ty for listen

Sir,
If there is anything I can do to encourage you I will. This disease is rough and not everyone gets hit the same way but the common denominator for us all is that we need support and help.

Obviously your wife is a jewel. You may have a lot to go through yet but these days there is much more than can be done than was available a few years ago. Keep a positive outlook, Okay? Please keep us posted as to how you are doing in recovery.

tes36

TomBk said:

Sir,
If there is anything I can do to encourage you I will. This disease is rough and not everyone gets hit the same way but the common denominator for us all is that we need support and help.

Obviously your wife is a jewel. You may have a lot to go through yet but these days there is much more than can be done than was available a few years ago. Keep a positive outlook, Okay? Please keep us posted as to how you are doing in recovery.

hello thanks for the reply im glad there people out there that does know how it feel to have pc believe me im scared still even knowing my doctor said i was cancer free now im still scared it will come back im scared of not knowing what i have to look forward too with the recontruction part now but ill let you know more i go back the 27th of july and he said if its healed the way he wanted it too then recontruction is my next surgery but i thank you for your support

bajakid

Hi Tom. Well it's been 2 years since my RP and my PSA numbers are still good.I still have incontinence even though I did have the Sling operation. I also have ED and have tried everything. I guess I have both problems at the same time. Anyway I am thinking if it's possible to get the Artificial Sphincter as well as a penile implant. Any thoughts?

TomBk

tes36 said:

hello thanks for the reply im glad there people out there that does know how it feel to have pc believe me im scared still even knowing my doctor said i was cancer free now im still scared it will come back im scared of not knowing what i have to look forward too with the recontruction part now but ill let you know more i go back the 27th of july and he said if its healed the way he wanted it too then recontruction is my next surgery but i thank you for your support

Sorry this is a bit delayed. no one was responding so I quit coming back here. How are you now? are you still afraid? when you said 'reconstruction' are you comfortable explaining what you mean by that? Perhaps I can help you some.

TomBk

bajakid said:

Hi Tom. Well it's been 2 years since my RP and my PSA numbers are still good.I still have incontinence even though I did have the Sling operation. I also have ED and have tried everything. I guess I have both problems at the same time. Anyway I am thinking if it's possible to get the Artificial Sphincter as well as a penile implant. Any thoughts?

Hi Baja,

To be honest i don't know anything about an artificial sphincter but it may well be possible. Start a new thread on that subject and I am sure you will get a response. How are you doing emotionally? got it under control? maybe not?