New Guy Reporting In

Gatorman
Gatorman Member Posts: 1 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

Greetings, Gentlemen.

 

New guy reporting aboard here, although I’ve been watching this forum for last couple months to learn as much as I can from the collective experience of all participants.

I’m 73, retired Navy, and in pretty good shape/health.  PSA for nearly 20 years was 0.4 to 0.5.  But it started climbing 5 years ago, going from 0.7 to 4.5.  DRE were all normal.  Urologist said maybe we needed to do biopsy and I said absolutely (I’m an engineer by training and a pilot by occupation – so data is always important to decision making).

 12 core Biopsy done just before Thanksgiving 2020.  First pathologist said Gleason 7 (4+3).  Second pathologist on review said Gleason 9 (4+5).

 This was at a Naval Hospital where follow on treatment, other than diagnostic scans, would have to be referred outside. I was able to schedule and complete a pelvic CT and bone scan in next couple weeks.  Then I was lucky to get an appointment in early Jan 2021 with a urologist who said either RALP or IMRT were options I should consider.  I chose RALP and elected non-nerve sparing option mainly because I thought I was dealing with a Gleason 9.  Two weeks later I met Mr. da Vinci.

Nine days later the catheter came out and I got the pathology report.  Gleason 7 (4+3) in 30% of 45 gm prostate. Margins all clear. 6 lymph nodes taken out and clear.  So it appeared there was no metastasis.  Just went back for 3 month follow up and PSA was <0.01.  So I will repeat every 3 months for a year.

 Obviously I’m feeling some relief at the outcome, but I do have questions for the group – and would appreciate the wisdom of your experiences.

1.     Perineal pain/discomfort – how long does this last?  I still need to use a donut to sit on any hard surface chair

2.     Incontinence – I was using two pads in day and a pair of briefs overnight.  Now down to 3 pads for 24 hours.  Mostly dry overnight, but still get up 2-3 times to pee.

3.     Flabby skin rolls – A lot of loose skin at bottom of pelvis right above penis.  Dr says this  is due to lymphatic system still figuring out how to operate with 6 missing nodes.  Also scrotum seems larger than before surgery.

4.     Fatigue – At 10 weeks post RALP I seemed to finally be getting some energy back.  Normal?  Remember, I’m 73.

5.     Bowel Movements – I’m still super cautious about ‘bearing down’ when going out of fear I’ll tear something.  But after 3 months I should be pretty much healed internally.

 Comments and advice welcome.  Thanks for listening.

 Florida Gator

 

 

Comments

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,208 Member
    edited April 2021 #2
    Getting healed

    Hi Gatorman.

    1.     

    Perineal pain/discomfort – how long does this last?  I still need to use a donut to sit on any hard surface chair 

    Don't have an answer for this one, I had little or no pain after my Ralp. I would talk to your Surgeon about the pain.

     

    2.     

    Incontinence – I was using two pads in day and a pair of briefs overnight.  Now down to 3 pads for 24 hours.  Mostly dry overnight, but still get up 2-3 times to pee.

    Sounds like your making progress, it takes some time to heal, pray for continued improvement, could take over a year to make good improvement.  I maxed out at about a year, still wear a light pad today just to catch the occasional drop or two

     

    3.     

    Flabby skin rolls – A lot of loose skin at bottom of pelvis right above penis.  Dr says this  is due to lymphatic system still figuring out how to operate with 6 missing nodes.  Also scrotum seems larger than before surgery.

    Did not have that, don't know. Would not worry about a large scrotum unless it seems to be filled with fluid.  If it is talk to your surgeon. Ive got flabby skin in other areas due to aging and not surgery.

     

    4.     

    Fatigue – At 10 weeks post RALP I seemed to finally be getting some energy back.  Normal?  Remember, I’m 73.

    Good, making progress is good after major surgery.

     

    5.     

    Bowel Movements – I’m still super cautious about ‘bearing down’ when going out of fear I’ll tear something.  But after 3 months I should be pretty much healed internally.

    Bearing down can cause hemroids, not a good thing to do.

     

    Dave 3+4

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #3
    Patience

    Congratulations on getting through the surgery; the path report and the post-surgery PSA both look (very) good. But your body went through a lot and will need time to heal. How much varies among patients.

    Do continue to be careful and do not hesitate to contact your surgeon if necessary. 

    Good luck with your ongoing recovery.

  • JackWest
    JackWest Member Posts: 5 Member
    #4

    A larger scrotum after radiation treatment of the prostate in spring 2022

    Puzzled, but my urologist says that I am fine. Are there others with this?

  • Marlon
    Marlon Member Posts: 127 Member
    #5

    Gatorman,

    1. I am five months past surgery, and still feel an occasional twinge or odd sensation but not pain when moving or sitting. At first, I used a cushion too, and sometimes ice. I'm wondering how long before I can ride a bike.
    2. My therapist said that a normal amount of time to empty the bladder is about 7-12 seconds, so as long as it is normal quantities, you have to pee as many times as necessary based on how much you drank. In other words, getting up a few times per night is OK if the actual peeing is normal.
    3. My scrotum was swollen like coconut for ten days or so, then gradually reduced. Although nothing looks normal down there now.
    4. Yeah the loss of energy. I haven't been motivated enough to re-start a regular exercise program.
    5. Bowel movements. Yeah I was worried about this too, and was taking stool softeners as recommended by the nursing staff for several weeks until things got regular. Now I'm trying to maintain a high fiber diet, etc. Therapist highly recommended the "squatty potty" thing but haven't tried that yet.

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719408#Comment_1719408

    Better to start a new thread, please

    There's a blue button for that on the right hand side of the page.

  • JackWest
    JackWest Member Posts: 5 Member
    #7
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719424#Comment_1719424

    Thanks coach! We all have a story. I see that you have a long one.

  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 Member Posts: 625 Member
    #8

    i had major rectal pain for about 3 months ..after 6 months all gone ..i had salvage surgery ..it will subside ..

  • lighterwood67
    lighterwood67 Member Posts: 395 Member
    edited December 10 #9

    Incontinence: Let's see, I peed in my depends for around 4 months pretty regularly. Somewhere between the 4th and 6th month this issue resolved. I do not wear any protection at the time, but I am fully aware that they dissected the internal bladder sphincter; that I just have an external bladder sphincter to control the flow; if that sphincter begins to fail, then I am sure a leakage issue will reappear. Doing kegels hopefully will help prevent this. The other issues you address I have not experienced at this time. RALP: Mar 2018; PSA: undetectable ; Gleason: 4+3=7; Age: 74. As Old Salt said, give yourself time to heal. Good luck on your journey.

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