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This member is a YANA Mentor This is his Country or State Flag

Richard Phelan and Jan live in Western Australia. He was 55 when he was diagnosed in August, 2009. His initial PSA was 0.60 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6, and he was staged T2a. His initial treatment choice was Surgery (Retropubic Prostatectomy) and his current treatment choice is Surgery (Manual Laparoscopic Prostatectomy). Here is his story.

I was referred to a urologist after I complained of nocturnal frequency (2/3 times night). DRE revealed a small "Pea" size lump, and PSA was 0.6ng/ml.

Referred to a Urologist who performed a flexible cystoscopy (bladder) and TRUS biopsy of prostate.

Bladder outcome - superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), grade WHO 1. This was cut out a few months back during an uneventful procedure involving an overnight stay in hospital.

Prostate outcome - adenocarcinoma, tumour length 0.3mm, Gleason 3+3=6. Located in 1 needle of 8.

Low PSA means bugger-all! So, now decided on having traditional Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP) in early November. My thinking is to get rid of the problem whilst it's still confined.

Thanks for everyone's stories, it is certainly valuable and educational reading once you find out you have PCa.

Later: Richard has confirmed that he has decided to go ahead with surgery, Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy.

To be continued...

UPDATED

November 2009

Had surgery (radical prostatectomy) late October 2009.

Prostate was removed, pathology confirmed that it was confined. Also had a flexible cystoscopy which revealed no regrowth of my previously removed bladder tumor. I experienced very little pain after surgery, and feel I'm recovering well. Had a catheter in for 3 weeks, which wasn't a problem either - a quite a luxury at night.

I was pleasantly surprised with my level of continence once the catheter was removed. Now, 5 weeks after surgery, I'm feeling fine though must wear pads due to small leakage when laughing or doing some other exertion.

First blood test is in a few months (January) before I see my Urologist. I hope my PSA will be 0.0, and hope my water works has improved.

E.D. - nothing yet!

UPDATED

January 2010

Three months after surgery, first PSA test done and it's less than 0.01%

I'm very pleased.

Richard

UPDATED

February 2011

It's been 13 months since my radical prostatectomy (RP) and removal of the superficial TCC (transitional cell carcinoma) from the bladder.

PSA remains below less than 0.01, and all clear with the bladder. The six monthly bladder checks have now been extended to 12 monthly checks.

I have no regrets choosing the RP path. I don't have any problems with incontinence, and erections are 9/10 so not quite where things were before the RP.

Rick

UPDATED

May 2012

It's been 2.5 yrs since my surgery and all is very good.

PSA - great, undetectable
ED - good with 95% erection
Continence - good, very occasionally a weeny bit of leakage if I'm tired late at night.
Pads - not normally worn.

... and the bladder cancer - great, nothing detected at yesterday's flexible cystoscopy.

Richard 18 May 12

UPDATED

December 2012

Dec 2012, 4 years since radical prostatectomy, PSA remains undetectable. Things are going great!

Ricky

UPDATED

August 2013

Four (4) years since surgery.
PSA undetectable.
Erections 9/10
Incontinence negligible.

All is good!

Ricky

UPDATED

February 2014

PSA remains undetectable, and has been since my radical prostatectomy 4 yrs ago in October 2009

All is good!

Rick (27 Jan 14)

UPDATED

April 2015

It's been 5.5 yrs since surgery (Oct 2009). All is good. PSA negligible. Erections good 9/10, no need for Viagra. Incontinence is very slightly worse over the past year. No need for pads though, just have to careful if tired or going over the top with alcohol.

UPDATED

June 2016

Recent PSA returned "negligible".

Erection 8/10, don't wear pads. Life is good!

UPDATED

September 2017

All's well - PSA undetectable!

UPDATED

September 2018

All good with PSA "negligable"

Slight bit of incontinence these days, but apart from that, life's good!

UPDATED

October 2019

All is good with a negligable PSA.

Incontenance not a problem - unless I drink too much!

UPDATED

February 2021

Saw my urologist in January 2021. PSA neg.

Only problem is very slight incontinence, at times, when:

- overly tired
- drinking way too much alcohol
- playing golf
- grandkids jumping on my guts

Apart from that, all is good!

UPDATED

September 2022

All is good, I'm still upright :)

UPDATED

July 2023

Still upright and healthy, living a normal life.

Only complaint is a bit of leakage at times late in the day - must wear a light pad (L2) every now and then.

Can't really have too much alcohol these days, otherwise a change of pads may be required!

Richard's e-mail address is: richard.phelan AT westnet.com.au (replace "AT" with "@")


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