My primary care doctor suggested that I have a PSA test. It had only been 10 months since my last one, but I wanted my cholesterol checked, and she suggested that I should go ahead with the PSA screening as well. My last PSA reading was 3.8. This time it jumped to 5.8. My doctor immediately sent me to my Urologist, who performed a D.R.E. (digital rectal exam). He said he felt some "hardness" that was suspicious, and scheduled me to come back a few days later for a needle biopsy. During the biopsy he took 12 tissue samples from my prostate, focusing on the area where he felt the hardness during the D.R.E. I received a call a few days later confirming that several of the tissue samples were cancer. It was about then that I educated myself on the so-called "Gleason Score", which ranks the cancerous tissue samples according to the prevalence of more advanced cancer cells. Several of my samples were 3+4=7, and others were 4+3=7. The first number indicates which stage of cancer was most prominently seen in that tissue sample. The second number is the second most prominently found. So, although in both examples they total "7", the 4+3=7 samples were more serious than the 3+4=7 samples. My cancer, I later learned, was moderately advanced. So, at this point, I had a decision to make about treatment. My options included "watchful waiting", radiation, hormone therapy and surgery. Fortunately, I had a couple of acquaintances who had undergone robotic surgery at the Global Robotics Institute near Orlando, Florida, and that is where I had my surgery, 8 months ago. After three subsequent PSA checks, my cancer appears to be gone, but it will be years before I can confirm that. My doctor says I have a 20% chance of the cancer returning.
Update : I looked up my post-surgical analysis of my tumor. It was classified as AJCC stage PT3a, and the cancer had occupied 25% of my prostate gland. I had negative surgical margins and had 3 benign Lymph Nodes.
This month (August 2016) marks the 2 year anniversary of my robotic prostatectomy. Every PSA check has been " zero", thank God. The only side-effects from the surgery are slight incontinence (when I cough, or fart, lol) and an inability to achieve erections. However, I can still have orgasms when I masturbate, which I do about 4-5 times per month. During my orgasms, I usually expel a few drops of urine, which I don't mind, since it simulates the cum I had prior to the surgery. Sorry for the explicitness of this post, but I figure that guys need to know what to expect.
So far, so good.......I'll be more diligent in my updates going forward.
Had robotic surgery in August 2014. Since then, have had PSA tests every 3 months for the first year, then each 6 months since. Every test shows undetectable PSA. Only side effect of the surgery is impotence, but since I am not sexually active, it's a non-issue.
My surgery was in August 2014. So it's been 4 years and 3 months. Each of my PSA tests have resulted in "undetectable " findings. Although I'm not "out of the woods" yet, and probably will never be 100% confident that the prostate cancer is forever gone, I feel really good about my chances. The side effects post surgery, slight incontinence and erectile dysfunction have been minor annoyances compared to the consequences of not dealing with the cancer in the way that I did. My wife of 30 years is very accepting of my sexual dysfunction, and we express love and affection in many other ways. I can still achieve orgasm through masturbation, about 3-4 times per month. The incontinence is a minor annoyance which I've learned to live with. So, all in all, I'm pretty happy and thankful that the cancer was caught in time. I would strongly advise every man to get tested frequently. I'm so glad I did.
Had radical robotic prostatectomy in August 2014. Now, 5 and a half years later, all of my post-surgical PSA's have been "undetectable". I feel pretty confident that the cancer will not metastasize. I am not sexually active except for occasional masturbation, so the erectile dysfunction is not a serious problem. The orgasms are nearly as good as they were before surgery.
Had robotic surgery in August 2014 to remove prostate. It has been 8 years now. Every PSA blood test has been 'undetectable'. I feel great. Cancer free. I choose to have PSA tests every 6 months despite my doctor saying that once a year is sufficient. I'm the cautious type :).
Had surgery August 14 , 2014, at age 65. I'm 75 now and cancer free. Same slightly annoying side effects, but hey! I'm alive and enjoying a good life.
Steve's e-mail address is: stevelamore6772 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")
