Upcoming Prostatectomy

Coma54
Coma54 Member Posts: 2 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

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  • Coma54
    Coma54 Member Posts: 2 Member
    #2

    I should begin by reporting my family history of both my father and my older brother having Prostatectomy at the same age (70) I am now. I started taking Flomax in 2016 which worked well in resolving urinary flow issues. In 2023 my doctor ( Internal Medicine) wanted to add finesteride which I researched and decided I should investigate my other options to treat BPH. My doctor always advocated for using medication to control BPH due my PSA scores never exceeding 5.0. I found a urologist I felt was well respected and experienced enough to satisfy my needs.

    After meeting urologist and going over what other BPH treatments were available, we found out I had a median lobe which was the culprit in my BPH. I had TURP 3/28/24 and I was happy with the post TURP results. However at the first follow up visit I was informed that cancer was found in the tissue removed. Initial report had one area of Gleason 7 and Decipher high risk score. Have had MRI, biopsy and then PETscan with one area of 3+5 and one area of 4+4 with possible perineurial invasion on the left aspect of prostate. The urologist feels the cancer is still confined to prostate.

    Went through meeting with radiologist and then urologist about both radiation + ADT and prostatectomy. Urologist told me either procedure was equally effective, he only recommended I choose treatment. I have discussed with my brother his recovery and long term issues with prostatectomy, he says he still feels the surgery was his best option.

    I really just wanted to express my appreciation for all of your posts of your experiences both good and bad the past few months, this has helped my wife and I to deciding on prostatectomy which will be December 30. I certainly am not excited of the probable life changes I will have after Dec 30 but if the cancer can be completely removed I will be thankful. I will give a report after my surgery.

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

    Congratulations on making a reasoned choice. Good luck with the surgery.

    There’s a lot of information on the after care in a recent thread.

  • Marlon
    Marlon Member Posts: 127 Member
    #4

    Good luck to you, and don't look back and second guess your decision. Surgery means no more BPH either and that's a plus.

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,819 Member
    edited December 21 #5

    Coma,

    Your path to PCa diagnosis is very typical, highly routine, with a long history of BPH, followed later by early-stage PCa. SUrgery and the various radiations are, as your doctor said, essentially equal in sucess, and it therefore comes down to the man's individual choice. I suspect that the surgery will be DaVinci, aka "Robotic." I had DaVinci 9 years ago, in 2015.

    Three things make up most post-surgery discussions here: 1. recovery time and experience; 2. continence, or urinary control; and 3. Potency.

    1. Surgery hurts — any form. But I went home the morning after surgery, and only needed narcotic for two days thereafter. After two days, tylenol was sufficient. You will wear a cath for at least a few days, sometimes as long as a week (I wore one for four days, because a holiday weekend was beginning). I had a velcro, small leg bag, that I could use to get around in or ride in the car with, and a larger overnight bag, that allowed sleeping through the night with no fuss.

    2. Urinary control comes back in time for most. The amount of time varies between men a lot. When the cath is removed, the doc will tell you to wear a diaper for as long as it seems necessary. I wore a diaper two days, and then went to a pad. After pads are no longer necessary, a liner will be advised. Although my urinary control was fast, I still occasionally will feel it best to use a liner, especially if I have a cough. But, my urinary control today is BETTER than pre-surgery, when I had the BPH.

    3. Potency. This varies hugely between individuals. You are 70, so it may take a while. Cialis therapy is common; my doc told me to start Cialis the day I left the hospital, He said I would not get erections right away, but that the drug was good for the vascular tissues involved.

    A huge number of the men here have had prostectomy, so write any time a question occures.

    max

  • Wheel
    Wheel Member Posts: 162 Member
    #6

    Coma54,

    Good luck from another two timer. I had Stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma 20 years ago before this one came along. I had my Surgery 4 months ago and 100% happy with my decision. Enjoy Christmas and don’t swing your catheter around ringing in the New Year!

  • swl1956
    swl1956 Member Posts: 131 Member
    #7

    Congrats on your decision! I know it's a tough one to make. I found that once the decision is made it lowered my stress level. Hope that's true for you too. Good luck with your procedure.

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,206 Member
    #8

    Hi,

    Hopefully all will go well and you will have less ED and leakage than typical. Surgery provides you with several backup plans if your cancer returns, that’s why I chose surgery. Peace of mind was a big moral boost for me. I’ll take the drip every now & then plus minor ED, hopefully my remission will last well into my future. But if not I already have some backup plans mentally in place. Have a Merry Christmas and a healing new year.

    Dave 3+4

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