Newly diagnosed

Hello,

Welcome to the ACS page supported by SURVIVORS! It is perfectly natural to be frightened by the unknown. I can certainly relate to your feelings.

I underwent RP following a similar diagnosis at the age of 59. Also, at the time I considered myself to be in good physical condition. Although I elected the surgical procedure versus other options, and am 100 % satisfied with my choice and outcome, the decision is one that must be made by each individual. The two concerns you mentioned have been absolutely non-existant following my surgery. My surgery was 2 1/2 yrs ago and I consider myself 100% pre surgical condition.

The primary reason I chose surgery was that following any other type of procedure, surgery would never be a viable option, if the other option proved unsuccessful. Also, I wanted to be totally free of the infected organ.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at my personal e-mail lab_boy_us@yahoo.com. Or, you can respond to me via the reply option on this site.

Best of luck in making your decision,

Roger

I had my RP on 9/12/02. I am not 100% yet. Incontinence is about 98% and still improving( remember it could take up to a year. Most men roughly 3 months) My sexual function is at about 70% and still improving. So you see some people just take a little longer. The key if you choose surgery is find a recommended surgeon who does a lot of surgery. My surgeon does almost 8 a week. Ask other Dr.'s who they would want doing their surgery. Get many opinions. Always remember your a young man. What happens if you don't choose surgery and the cancer comes back what are your chances for a successful surgery? I was 53. A radiation oncoligist told me take two pieces of bread, put a piece of cheese between the bread, now take the cheese out. That would be the surgery now. Then take the bread and cheese and put it in a microwave for 20 seconds, and now try and take the cheese out. That would be the surgery after radiation. Not much of a chance to remove the prostate successfully. Talk to a lot of people until you feel somewhat comfortable with your decision. E-mail me if you like billwarren@attbi.com

Hi! I was diagnosed last December, T1C, gleason 7, at age 52. After looking at all the options, I elected to have surgery and had it done on January 14, 2003.

Incontenence has not been an issue since week seven post op. Okay, I do get a dribble now an then, the so called 'stress incontence".

I have yet to regain complete sexual function. I have orgasims but no erections. As I try to be objective about this, I continue to see slow improvements on getting an erection.

If I had it to do all over again, I would do the exact same thing. Surgery seemed to be the best option. I rest easy, knowing that the cancer is gone. In may, I had my first post op PSA and it was <0.1 ng/ml. I liked the analogy about the cheese and the bread and the microwave.

If you would liek to talk more, let me know. Home email is thehills@together.net. Office is steve.hill@anr.state.vt.us. I use the office the most.

Best of luck!

Steve

had prostate cancer in 2001 had seed implant and radiation atrcog in atlanta and doing great no side effects web site www.rcog.net