THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2020 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

Because of a family history of prostate cancer (my father and uncle both died from it in their mid 60s), I have been monitoring my PSA for a number of years, but let 4-5 years slip by for no particularly good reason. My PSA was high (13) and a surprise last February. Velocity was also high since it went from 3 to 13 in 5 years, and 13 to 15 between February and June. That combined with the aggressive cancers of my father and uncle caused a lot of worry. But both ultrasound and MRI indicated cancer was confined to the prostate.

I used the time between diagnosis and surgery on June 27, 2017 to get into shape. I think that helped quite a lot, and what else can you do anyway? I found it very hard to talk about the cancer before surgery so basically kept to close family. Now I am able to talk about it much more easily.

Surgery was not a hard decision for someone my age with the other indicators. I had a fairly high chance, given the high PSA and velocity of change, of having cancer outside the prostate. So I wanted to be aggressive and reserve the ability for radiation later if necessary. Also, I hope to live long enough that radiation might actually cause cancer if I get it now.

Hardest thing about surgery is choosing a good surgeon. Mine had done 300-400 of these procedures, but there are no report cards available. The skill of the surgeon in the single biggest factor in the outcome, and you need to take a leap of faith on that issue, and then hope he or she is having a good day.

Robotic surgery went uneventfully. Was in the hospital for a couple of days. Catheter out in a couple of weeks. Off pain killers at that time too. One of the very lucky ones that was continent within a day of getting the catheter out. I think the exercise regimen before surgery helped with that. Also potency is coming back, though more slowly.

Margins are good so far (cancer confined to prostate). Will get a PSA at end of the month and hope it is zero.

Stupidly went for a short run, rode my motorcycle and changed tires on my wife's vehicle last weekend. Stomach is a little sore. Assume that will clear in a day or two, but I need to take it more slowly, especially for lifting.

This has been a life changing experience. I have appreciated the stories from this site. Mine is so far as good as it gets. The lead up to the procedure was the most difficult. Now I am just dealing with it. I am enjoying all the good things in my life more and eliminating the bad things. I should have done that long ago. I wish you all the good luck I have enjoyed.

Got my third zero PSA back today! It has only been 18 months but I have made almost a full recovery. I maybe think about the cancer briefly once a week. Obviously, I had a great surgeon, but I like to think that getting in shape before the surgery and doing the Kegels exercise helped a lot with the recovery. Was fully continent within a couple days of getting the catheter out, could go for short runs a month after surgery, and everything else steadily, though more slowly, improving since then.

What I have not forgotten and do think about every day is that life is short and you better enjoy every minute you can. My best wishes to all going through this experience.