3 month report

jhagerup
jhagerup Member Posts: 68
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
It's been 3 months since my RP surgery. Here is an update:

Surgeon: about 250 procedures before I came along.

Complications: In the 1st 4 weeks, had some blood clotting requiring re-catheterization. Difficult, but just a bump in the road.

Incontenance: Since day 1 - no diapers, wore a pad for a week or so, just to catch small amounts. After a couple weeks - completely dry. My sincere thanks to my surgeon for this fact !

PSA: I've had two tests since surgery - both zero. Halleluja!

Emotionally: Fantastic - I feel like a very lucky man!

ED: Had some ED before surgery so no great expectations here. No success with pills yet, however, injections are generally effective after you get the dosage and procedure right. Pump is useful for rehab and not much more (although with bands, it "can" work, although not the most pleasant experience). I've ordered some L-Arginine to see if that helps. The ED part of the experience is certainly a problem but it's slooooowly getting better with help from an understanding wife (critical). An excellent book to get is "Saving Your Sex Life" by John P. Mulhall, M.D.. He talks about rehab, which is not something that was covered in great detail by my Dr. Rehab is critical because certain muscles can attrophy, possibly leading to permanent ED. The book claims that you need to start rehab as soon as possible and there have been studies that waiting 6 months can cause permanent damage. Don't take my word for it though - get the book. It's $12 on Amazon.

Thank you for your prayers and support, and thanks to God for getting me through a difficult year. It can be a challenge waiting for surgery, waiting for PSA results, waiting for complications to clear up, etc., but having faith helps a great deal, and I hope my experience can provide hope to those that are just starting on this journey. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

Jim

Comments

  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #2
    Glad to hear you are
    Glad to hear you are improving. Love to hear about the 0 scores. My six month PSA is on Feb.15.

    Larry
  • fathersson
    fathersson Member Posts: 121
    #3
    Good for you Jim
    I am sure your good fortune will continue.
  • WHW
    WHW Member Posts: 189
    #4
    Congrats Jim
    It's always a pleasure to see posts like yours. Keep them zeroes a coming.

    My you flunk the test over and over again by always scoring a zero.

    Sonny

    60 years old when diagnosed
    PSA 11/07 3.0
    PSA 5/09 6.4
    Diagnosis confirmed July 9, 2009
    12 Needle Biopsy = 9 clear , 3 postive
    Gleason Score (3+4) 7 in all positive cores
    da Vinci 9/17/09
    Post Surgery Pathology: GS 4+3=7
    Stage: T3a
    Tumor Volume 12.5%
    positive margin, extra-prostatic extension
    30 day PSA 0.4, 50 day psa 0.53, 64 day psa 0.6
    IMRT completed 1/15/10 35 treatments- 70Gy

Discussion Boards