For men only, the post-surgical issue

Mike:

As a prostate cancer suvivor, I became aware of this "possible" situation during my education regarding PC when I had to make treatment decisions.  I never experienced the retrograde ejaculation, but I learned about it just in case.  I underwent a radical prostatectomy in 2009 and was fortunate because I did not have to endure chemo or radiation treatment.  But, that surgery rearranged some of my plumbing and permanently affected some nerves and blood vessels.

There is a confluence of nerves, blood / fluid vessels and several organs tightly contained within the hip girdle (pelvis).  Whenever any of these degrade and surgical intervention is involved there is an increased risk of collateral damage, or sympathetic adjustment, on/by the adjacent organs.  To further complicate the situation, the space in which a surgeon must work is very constrained.  Consequently, the chance for undesirable secondary events to occur is increased.

The treatment for rectal cancer includes similar anatomical challenges as prostate cancer due to the location of the organ.  One of the undesired results with rectal cancer surgical intervention are fistulas, which, in layman's terms, is similar to reversing the polarity of an electrically energized system.  Or, as a plumber might experience, attaching the hot water feed line to the cold water faucet.  What should go up, nows goes down or what should exit one orifice now exits another orifice.

There is a discussion board on this site for prostate cancer.  Post your statement/question on it and you will receive more informed responses.  Or, just do a quick search for prostate cancer forums and you should have a list of information sources.

As we live with and progress through our experience with cancer, of any type, we must maintain a sense of humor.  Just when we think that the situation could not degrade any further or our human dignity be further diminished, something else happens.  If we have the ability to laugh - and accept the situation, then we increase the likelihood of survival.  I am not implying that any of this is laughable, just that we must remain positive as we face each development.

Jim

I'm done with having kids, so having it go that way, is fine. I had to look it up, but since the surgeon mentioned impotency as a possible result of the colectomy, I'm feeling comparitively lucky..............................................Dave

Ok Mike, when you write for men only, I just have to come and take a peek. LOL

My Colorectal Surgeon advised me that I could lose some feeling, and I did. Although not my top priority at the time, I was unable to maintain an erection good enough for intercourse. No intercourse for two years. One day she complained of a bad taste. I do not produce sperm, only per-ejaculate fluid. Kinda freaked me out.

Rather than relate the whole story I just want tell how I resolved my sex issue. Soup to nuts, we tried everything and I was pretty discouraged. As crazy as it seems I purchased a Medical vacuum penis pump. I tried it a couple of times and nothing, I was feeling kind of stupid. Well third times a charm. I’m very pleased and able to make love to my wife.

If any of you guys out there have been unable to resolve erection issues after rectal surgery, this is a last resort that works.

Trubrit said:

For sure

We've all been over here, Lily.  

Guess its just not the 'lady parts' that get damaged, eh. 

Tru

Yup just had to peek too.  I've had my parts not work right after too.  Didn't realize the men had problems also.

Kim

Lily Flower said:

Ok Mike, when you write for

Ok Mike, when you write for men only, I just have to come and take a peek. LOL

lol Me too.  And for the record, women have similar sexual issues after chemo, radiation and surgery.  Some fixable, some not.

I guess I'm not alone then.  Initially I imagined it must be leaking inside somewhere. Infection was the first thing I thought of and became terrified.  I wish the doctor would have mentioned it when he gave me the go ahead to have sex again that this was a possibility. I wouldn't have freaked out seeing nothing come out.  It's like a lot of things with this disease, nothing is said until after the fact.

 I was told a urologist might be able to fix it but won't look into it until after chemo is done. I don't want to complicate matters more than they already are considering it's such a fragile area. If they can't repair it I'll just have to be happy with what I can do.