Waiting for surgery, scheduled for January 2012. Chose surgery because I wanted to know if the cancer had spread outside the prostate. Went to a number of doctors, Radiation and surgery. Had a friend who went to John Hopkins for his surgery. Went to see his doctor, he had done over 1,500 surgeries, and does, on average 5 a week. That is why I selected him.
My surgery was on January 15, 2013. Everything went as expected. Was walking around by early evening. Did not have any pain, but I think there was still pain meds. in my system. Went home day after operation, spent 30 hours total in the hospital. The catheter was an inconvenience, but not a major problem. I put the large collection bag in a wicker magazine rack and carried it around the house, worked well. The only pain I experienced was when I was doing a BM, even with the catheter my body wanted to urinate around the catheter, which was quite painful. If you choose surgery, definitely use a stool softener, it makes it a lot more bearable. The after surgery biopsy of the prostate lowered my Gleason from 7b to 7a, with no evidence of cancer outside the prostate. My incontinence was bad for the first 8 weeks, by week 9 I went from 4 depends diapers to 2 pads. By March 15 I was off the pads completely. In the last 6 months I have had 3 squirts, creating a dime size spot in my shorts. I don't consider this to be a problem. ED was slow in recovering until the ninth month, when I finally had my first completed sex using 20mg of Cialis. My surgeon said it could take up to 2 years to recover because of my age, and I am still hopeful it will return to normal by them. All my PSA tests have been <.01.
It has been 2 years since my Cancer surgery treatment. Two year PSA is less than .01, still in remission. Slight ED, with drugs every thing works, without drugs still works but not as well. Still have an occasional drop leak out , when under physical strain, but only happens about once a month. If you choose surgery you will probably never be like you were before. But over all I am completely happy with my choice. Good Luck!
It has been over 3 years since my Surgery. I still have a slight ED problem, but part of that is probably due to age, since I was having some prolems before diagnosis. Cialis 20m produces amazing results. If you decide on surgery you will probably not be the same afterwards. I am happy with my choice and normally do not even think about Cancer any more. What ever you choose make sure you find the best doctor in that field that you can, there is no substitute for experience.
It has been 4 years since my surgery and everything is going as well as can be expected.
I recently received my AARP bulletin, and they have some information on prostate cancer, which I am going to pass on. The New England Journal of Medicine reports 94% of men who receive radiation and 87% who receive surgery have ED within 15 years of treatment. Now for some better news, there four tests that can help determine if an elevated PSA is cancer. A urine test called PCA3, Prostate Health Index test, a OPKO 4kscore blood test, and mpMRI. I don't beiieve any of these were mentioned when I had a high PSA score. Good Luck.
It has been 5 years since my surgery, and my most recent PSA test came back PSA < .01. I am still very happy with the treatment I selected. I still use Cialis which works very well. I don't even think about the cancer, except for my yearly physical and PSA test.
It has been 6 years snce my Cancer Surgery and there are no changes since my last report.
Life goes on and Cancer is a distant memory, no life changing side effects to report.
It has been 7 years since my cancer surgery, nothing new to report. Very Happy with my choice.
It has been 8 years since my surgery, because of Covid I just had my yearly physical a year late, still no PSA, no side affects. Cancer is just a old memory. Life goes on. Would like to start traveling again. Good luck to all.
Nothing new to report, everything is going fine.
It has been 10 years since by surgery. Just completed a PSA test, 0 on the result. Everything is going fine with me. Still no noticeable side effects.
Henry's e-mail address is: itnomh AT hotmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")
