I searched this site looking for men in their 70's who have prostate cancer and either have had or are looking for robotic (DaVinci) surgery. Didn't find too many in their 70's like me however.

I have never had any symptoms associated with Prostate cancer. Usually only get up once per night and that is usually around 4 or 5 AM. Although my stream is not real strong, I have no trouble starting. My PSA has always been around 2.6. I have had yearly checkups with my Urologist for the last five or six years and he never felt anything abnormal.

But during my last check-up, in early Nov, he thought he felt something out of the ordinary. So he suggested a biopsy which showed cancer. My Gleason score is 6 (3+3) but don't know what stage I am.

My Urologist feels the cancer is contained within the prostate. He explained the various treatment options available but concluded by saying he felt that my best chance for a cure was surgery. Unfortunately he only offers the traditional open surgery but he did mention the robotic surgery, which sounded good to me. He gave me the name of a Urologist who does this DaVinci surgery.

I had an appointment with Dr. Mitchell Kaye in Scottsdale on Tuesday, Nov 25. He has agreed to do the surgery but he did say I was a "borderline" candidate due to my age. So I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 5, 09. I was hoping to have it done earlier but will take what I can get.

I had my surgery on Monday, Jan 5. It went smoothly I'm told. The doctor spared the nerves. I was in the hospital only one night. Other than some abdominal pain for a couple of days, my recovery has been good.

Like most of the other guys have said, the catheter is a real drag. We went back to the surgeon on Monday, Jan 12 to have the staples removed from the incisions and the catheter removed. The doctor said the cancer was contained within the prostate and the pathology reports were good although the final Gleason score was 7, rather than 6 as the biopsy showed. He said there was some cancer on the surface near one of the nerve bundles that may be a problem down the road.

I feel very good now. I have always been a very active person, playing tennis several times a week, softball twice a week and riding my bicycle a lot. All of these activities will have to be put on hold for a few weeks to let things heal properly. But I can walk and will do lots of that. Thank goodness we are having a wonderfully warm Arizona winter.

Of course I am now wearing diapers/pads but my first night (last night) was good. I got up twice as I thought I might be wet but I wasn't and was able to pee. But of course I am leaking some but it is tolerable. I'm doing my Kegel exercises. We go back to the doctor on Feb 9 for the first post-op PSA. I'll update after that.

I had my first post-op PSA test yesterday, five weeks after my surgery. The PSA was basically undetectable at .01.

Incontinence is improving. I only wear one thin pad a day and none at night. I have had erections and last week was able to have intercourse with my wife, with the aid of Cialis. It definitely was not as good as prior to surgery. The dry climax is a real let down but still good.

The surgeon mentioned possible hormone therapy but I declined that, at least for the time being, and he said we could wait. I go back again in three months.

This YANA site has been a real help to me. It is truly nice to know.

Just had my four month PSA test and all is well. It is still .01. I feel great.

I have been having some difficulty with erections. I use Viagra (100mg) or Cialis (20mg) but the last few times they haven't helped much. My Urologist gave me a sample of Levitra to try. He is a big proponent of penile implants and said if all else feels we should consider that. That, along with injections, will not be considered for awhile.

We will be leaving for Durango, CO next week to work and live in a campground there for the summer.

Just had my quarterly PSA check and it is up slightly from .01 to .04 but my Urologist office said there is nothing to be concerned about at this point.

The ED situation has not improved. I have purchased an Osbon VED and have been using it with some success.

In my last report I stated my PSA as .04 but it really is .004

Just saw my Urologist for my quarterly followup. All is well. No change in the PSA, which is good.

In the ED department there isn't much change from last report.

I continue to feel great. Will update again in three months.

Life is good.

I am now 13 months post-op. Everything continues to be good. No change since last quarterly report.

I had my quarterly checkup on May 5. No change. All is well.

Just had my quarterly PSA check and all is well.

I had my last quarterly checkup on December 9, 2010 and all continues to be well. It will be two years on January 5, 2011 that I had my surgery. I will now only have to be checked twice a year.

Had my six month checkup on May 2. [PSA undetectable] All is well.

I had my six month checkup Nov 2. All is well.

Just had my 6 month PSA test and checkup. All is well.

I had my six month check up in November, 2012. Everything continues to be good.

I had my six month checkup in May of 2013 and all continues to be good.

Just had my 6 month checkup and all is well. It has been almost four years since my surgery.

In my November update I said it had been almost four years since my surgery but that should have been five years. Now (Feb 2014) it has been five years. I will now have yearly checkups.

It has been over a year since my last checkup. All is well.

I had my annual checkup with my Urologist in January of this year (2016). All is well.

I had my annual checkup in January of this year and all is well.

I had my annual checkup in January of this year and all is well.

Sorry I have not updated my story in quite awhile. Anyway, I am good. PSA is 0. ED is the main problem. Sex is but a pleasant memory. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak..

Charles's e-mail address is: janchuckscw AT hotmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")