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11 month update

lesjanes
lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
edited May 2025 in Prostate Cancer #1

I thought I would provide an update since I have been quiet for a while. (I feel I owe all of you who helped answer my questions earlier)

Brief recap ...gleason 3+4 1/5/24...gleason 4+3 at time of surgery 7/11/24...Nerve sparing surgery deemed successful.

Continence returned at 2 months. But I ended up having a stricture, which caused spraying. Dr dialated my urethra twice and I was able to dialate at home 3 more times and now I am fine peeing.

Erections have not returned, but the desire has. Viagra gets me about 75% which is not enough for intercourse. Dr indicated it could take 12 ro 18 months for erections to return. We'll see. Difficult to imagine erections returning, but I felt incontinence wouldn't get better either.

Finally, just got my PSA test results today...<.004. So that is good news 11 months post op. A bit anxious waiting for results. I have had PSA tested every 3 months. I'll see if my Dr recommends every 6 months yet.

What is everyone else's testing frequency?

Thanks to all you who have helped me along the way!

Les 4+3

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Comments

  • Marlon
    Marlon CSN Member Posts: 202 Member
    #2

    Good news Les. I was 4+3 as well, and now just short of 11 months post surgery. My latest quarterly PSA results last week was another <.01, so the doctor said I could go to every 6 months.

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #3

    Good to hear Marlon! Let's keep it up. (Oh, thats another issue...lol)

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  • Wheel
    Wheel CSN Member Posts: 285 Member
    #4

    That is terrific! Without your hiccup of the structure, I had a blood clot after surgery, it seems everything is well, as I feel. Happy to hear your update.

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #5
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1722959#Comment_1722959

    Thanks !

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #6

    My 1 year checkup was 2 weeks ago. PSA still undectable. So that is great.

    No progress on erections though. Had sex today (8/20/25). Well, not intercourse. Viagra did not help much this time. Almost feel like I've regressed. But Dr said that I should still see gradual improvement.

    I'll take the undectable PSA though.

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,732 Member
    #7

    lesjanes wrote

    I'll take the undetectable PSA though.

    You are a smart man 😀

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  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama CSN Member Posts: 3,785 Member
    #8

    Well, it takes time to move it from 6 to 4 o'clock direction. Congratulations for the PSA remission level.

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  • JackWest
    JackWest CSN Member Posts: 110 Member
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724194#Comment_1724194

    Great news on the undetectable!! Me also, and for some years, Sex is now in many new ways. I appreciate that I'm here, we are here to do it. Sharing love is the best way.

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #10

    Thanks for the kind words Jack. Glad you are still undetectable. And still able to enjoying sex.

    Best,

    Les

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #11

    20 month update…PSA test yesterday.…

    No detectable PSA....No ED improvement.…No problem....life is good.

    Best wishes to everyone here!

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  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #12

    Hi,

    Great news, hope for many more undectables👍

    Dave 3+4

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  • Rob.Ski
    Rob.Ski CSN Member Posts: 203 Member
    #13

    In response to the original question on PSA test frequency, I went from 4x, 2x. then 1x a year. The 1x per year felt too long for me so I just buy my own test at 6month interval, was like $70 out of pocket. So, for $70 I can feel better. LOL. This is the regular PSA test, not sure if ultrasensitve is same cost.

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #14

    At my 1 year my Uro Dr said we could move to every 6 months. But I talked my GP Dr to order one up at 3 months since my last one , because I wanted peace of mind.

    My next one will be at my 2 year check up in August.

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  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 CSN Member Posts: 732 Member
    #15

    i’ve been going every three months in April going for my 24 month check a bit nervous. I’m always very very nervous but I did have a aggressive form.

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #16
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726540#Comment_1726540

    Thanks Dave!

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  • lesjanes
    lesjanes CSN Member Posts: 95 Member
    #17

    I understand the jitters. Why wouldn't we be. Remind me....you said more aggressive....what were your circumstances again?

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  • Wheel
    Wheel CSN Member Posts: 285 Member
    #18

    Great news! I have one more 6 month check at the 2 year anniversary in August and then my Surgeon says it will be once a year. I try not to worry from past cancer. Whether it begins to increase and they catch it rising earlier, nothing they would initially likely do but continue monitoring and likely then back to a 3 month. I went through alot of scan anxiety during treatment for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma 20 years ago for years, so I learned not to let this test anxiety get to me as nothing will alter your likely treatment choice and the end result of that treatment will likely make no difference whether they found your PSA rising 6 months later.

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