I read a lot of stories here before deciding what I was going to do so I thought would add to the database. When I was 52 (2 years ago) I had a physical and through a DRE my physician felt a nodule on my prostate. I was referred to a urologist and at that time my PSA was 3.4. The first diagnosis was it could be a variety of things besides cancer so we will keep an eye on it. I would like to interject here that I was seen at this particular office 7 times over the next 2 years by 2 different doctors and I was told in every instance that I probably did not have prostate cancer. In March 2014 a biopsy was ordered. The results were:
A) Right base 3+4=7 4% of tissue Prostatic adenocarcinoma B) Right mid-High Grade prostatic interpithelial neoplasm with adjcent small atypical glands, cannot exclude invasive carcinoma C) right Apex- Benign prostatic glands and stoma with focal atrophy and chronic inflammation D) Left Base-Prostatic tissue with no evidence of malignancy E) Left mid 3+4=7 80% of tissue Prostatic adenocarcinoma F) Left Apex- Focal high grade prostatic interaepithelial neoplasia.
I was told that this stage left me with only 3 options. 1. watchful waiting which was not recommended 2. radiation 3. surgery.
After a consultation with a radiologist associated with the same office I got a second opinion from a surgeon at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. They did their own pathology on the original slides and came to the same conclusion. I was at first leaning towards radiation but my final decision was for surgery. I chose surgery because I wanted to get it over with and on the chance that there was any lingering cancer it is my understanding radiation after surgery is a much more viable option that surgery after radiation.
I had surgery 8 days ago today and I am feeling better every day. I had an open procedure done instead of the Da Vinci for 2 reasons. The first was timing, the Da Vinci was booked out 6 weeks and the open procedure was available in 2 weeks. The second was my surgeon told me that although he was proficient at both, in an open procedure he would be able to remove more lymph nodes. I spent 2 nights in the hospital.
I am awaiting the final pathology report. I will get the catheter removed next Wednesday 14 days after my initial surgery. I know I have a long way to go but I am cautiously optimistic today.
I had my prostate removed in May 2014. Gleason score was 3+4=7 PSA was 4.61 Age was 54. I have never taken any drugs or radiation. In my most recent follow up my PSA was undetectable and my next follow up is in 6 months. My side effects from the surgery, I had open surgery, are minimal. I on rare occasion when it's late and I have had a few drinks I may get a small amount of urine leakage. I am able to get a pretty good erection without meds but it doesn't last very long. I do take Cialis on occasion. My overall health is very good and I could not be more pleased with the outcome.
I looked and looked for any information I could when I was diagnosed and I hope this helps someone going through this.
Please feel free to contact me.
Russ Garrett
2 years out from surgery in May 2016 and I feel great! My doctor has moved me to a PSA test every 6 months. I still get a small bit of urine leakage on rare occasions, we are talking drips. I do have to stand at the urinal a little longer than I used to in order to get that last bit of stream out. Erections are probably 75% of where I was. I could not be more satisfied with my outcome to date.
PSA has not moved since a few months after surgery. Annual blood test is the only monitoring I am involved with. Erections are excellent. I do have occasional urine leakage, but it is very infrequent. Generally happens late in the evening when exerting or laughing but even then it is a very small amount.
Overall I could not be happier with my outcome! I never think about having cancer or the possibility of recurrence.
There are no changes from my last post.
PSA has not moved since a few months after surgery. Annual blood test is the only monitoring I am involved with. Erections are excellent. I do have occasional urine leakage, but it is very infrequent. Generally happens late in the evening when exerting or laughing but even then it is a very small amount.
Overall I could not be happier with my outcome! I never think about having cancer or the possibility of recurrence.
5-1/2 years after having my prostate removed I am cancer free. Still leak a very small amount of urine if laughing robustly or after a few drinks but it's rare. No issue with getting or maintaining erections.
9 years and 4 months, still going strong. At 63 my PSA is 0. My checkups are 1 year apart until next year 2024 I believe that they will be 2 years apart. I never think about prostate cancer unless I'm going to have a doctor's appointment. All my parts still function as they should. I have a little more trouble finishing at the urinal. I find cotton underwear to be reassuring. And I have no need for anything beyond that at this point. The leakage is very minor but it does exist. Still able to get erections without medication. I certainly believe I am one of the lucky ones. I hope this information helps someone, I know I was looking frantically for reassurance when I was first diagnosed.
I'll be 64 next month. I just retired. I owe my life to a great surgeon Dr. James Brown and the University of Iowa.
My health hasn't changed much as far as prostate cancer is concerned. I have a little longer wait to finish at the urinal. Still a big believer in cotton underwear. No need for pads. Still pee a little on rare occasion, I would say that is unchanged.
Always here if anyone woud like to talk,
All the best,
Russ
Russ's e-mail address is: garrettconstruction101 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")
