An update - 16 months post surgery

graycloud

I just wanted to give an update on my husband (57 yo).  We're a couple of months behind on his 6 month testing.  Traveling to NYC for follow-ups makes coordinating flights/hotels a little tricky especially around spring break time periods! But - it's so worth it.  Memorial Sloan Kettering and their expertise in the treatment of prostate cancer is just superb.

His tests were awesome! Non-detectable for cancer - no increase in PSA.  For some reason, his anxiety level for this trip was high.  Two of his friends had tests that showed increasing PSA levels at this point in their journey.  His graph from 11/10/17 @ 9.52 PSA to a 3rd non-detectable test is worth celebrating. 

He met with  his surgeon/oncologist (Dr. Behfar Edhaie)  as well as the bladder oncologist/specialist (Dr. Jaspreet Sandhu).  He still wants to work on the bladder issues of a very small drip while exercising.  Otherwise, he's dry.  Dr. Sandhu wants him to start back with physical therapy thinking this could nip this issue fairly quickly without surgery.  Continued weight loss will help too.  He's down 70 pounds so far. One other thing - the testing he had done last week showed he's not emptying his bladder all the way.  Reason for small issues when exercising.  So - make sure he goes on a more regular basis - every two hours - even if he doesn't feel like he needs to.  And sit down versus stand up whenever he can.  See how he does after starting new routine. 

I am thankful that we are still on a cancer free journey, and that my husband has had minimal side effects from surgery.  His bladder is stronger than mine - literally!!  ED issues - none.

His main goal now is to start back with physical therapy, and continue to keep his body and mind in great shape.  He exercises 7 days a week - religiously.  Still working.  Still traveling for work as well as traveling for pleasure!  Still doing what he loves.  In fact, he's teaching a scuba diving class tonight!  I am hopeful that my husband's journey and story will encourage other men to face prostate cancer head on, and don't fear the future.  The fear factor almost did him in before surgery. There are good results from robotic surgery - with expert surgeons/oncologists. 

Sunshine again after weeks of worry (that dang gray cloud)!

Patti

lighterwood67

Great news

Always good to see positive comments about RARP.  Always glad to see that you folks are not having any quality of life issues.  All I can say is press on.  Best of luck from Lighterwood:  RARP:3/20/2018; 68 yr; PSA undetectable; fully continent (sometimes feel the urge during partner yoga); ED around 75% recovered (this may be the best it is going to get, but I will give it 2 years; no add-ons (viagra or cialis).

Clevelandguy

Good news

Hi,

Like I have always said great doctors plus excellent facilities will give you the best chance for success.  Good luck with many more undetectable readings in your future.

Dave

3+4

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

lighterwood67 said:

Great news

Always good to see positive comments about RARP.  Always glad to see that you folks are not having any quality of life issues.  All I can say is press on.  Best of luck from Lighterwood:  RARP:3/20/2018; 68 yr; PSA undetectable; fully continent (sometimes feel the urge during partner yoga); ED around 75% recovered (this may be the best it is going to get, but I will give it 2 years; no add-ons (viagra or cialis).

ED

lighter, I continued to have better and better potency through years 2 and 3, so there is still hope for further improvements.

max

sizzle

Great news and a question

Great outcome and best of luck! I am also a MSK patient for PC; am on AS but was just upgraded to Gleason 7 so likely will pursue treatment. Currently biased towards MSK Precise radiation therapy. Wondering why your husband chose surgery over radiation? 

Thanks,

John

lighterwood67

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

ED

lighter, I continued to have better and better potency through years 2 and 3, so there is still hope for further improvements.

max

Hope

I am fine.  From reading, I realise the ED portion may take some time.  I am OK; my wife is OK.  So we press on.  Hey, on another note I am on the Community Spotlight Banner for this site.  I am the one with the tube around my neck and goggles on.  Pretty neat.  Thanks for your inputs one test tube to another.

graycloud

sizzle said:

Great news and a question

Great outcome and best of luck! I am also a MSK patient for PC; am on AS but was just upgraded to Gleason 7 so likely will pursue treatment. Currently biased towards MSK Precise radiation therapy. Wondering why your husband chose surgery over radiation? 

Thanks,

John

Surgery Vs Radiation

Treatment options are a personal choice.  My husband's age at diagnonis (56) with a gleason 9 led us to do robotic surgery.   There are side affects from surgery but there are side affects from radiation.  I know there is debate on this, but removal of prostate after radiation is not always an option.    He would have chosen ablation over removal of the prostate when he was in the middle of his decision making pre-surgery, but that wasn't an option with his gleason score.  Now that he's had surgery, he would not recommend ablation.  several of his friends went that route, and they are having to go back for more ablation due to rising PSA levels post-ablation .

Surgery, Radiation, Hormone Therapy all have potential side affects.  In my husband's mind, he could "control" his outcome potential better with surgery.  Preparing his body pre-surgery, physical therapy post surgery.  Taking advantage of MSK's expertise from bladder specialsist, ED specialsit, and surgeon/oncologist both pre-surgery and post-surgery.  He trusted the expertise of his surgeon/oncologist at MSK.  He listened to everything he had to do pre-surgery, and post-surgery. 

Looking back, he knows he made the right decision for him.  

If his tests ever start showing increased levels, he has options within the MSK family to treat any additional cancer. 

 

Have you met with anyone at MSK from a surgery standpoint?

 

Georges Calvez

No perfect choice

Hi there,

To be honest there is no perfect choice with advanced or aggressive prostate cancer, no matter what you choose there is the possibility of recurrence that will drag you into further treatment.
I had a laparoscopic prostatectomy which is not a world away from a robotic one in terms of incisions and effects at a large regional centre in France. After fifteen months I would say that I am 99% dry, I can cough, sneeze, laugh, etc without leaks. I have to watch it if I am lifting 25kg bags and I doubt that I could do a job that required heavy lifting all day but that is not my job market anyway. The vast majority of men, more than 95% will achieve this within a year or so. A minority will have problems but that is the case with all surgeons and surgery, you are not pulling out and replacing a piece from a machine but cutting into a living body that has individual peculiarities.
Cutting away the prostate or destroying it with radiation is a big deal for many men as it will have a profound effect on sexual pleasure in many cases and in the ability to get and sustain an erection in a large group.
It is a cancer that many will survive for years even decades so from that point of view we are lucky but curing it or holding it in check does have profound effects on our lives and those of our partners.

Best wishes,

Georges