Recently diagnosed with Gleason 7 (3+4) and have been doing research for the past few months. I had a biopsy that found prostatic adenocarcinoma in three of ten cores, all on the left side.

Less than 0.1cm of a 1.5cm core
Less than 0.1cm of a 0.8cm core
0.3cm of a 1.4cm core

My PSA was last tested at about 4.7. My prostate is normal size with no indication of enlargement during DRE.

I am otherwise healthy and active. Looks like I have a very tough decision to make. I have narrowed it down to either Radical Prostatectomy (hoping my age and health will ensure a complete recovery) or Active Surveillance.

My surgery was completed on November 24 - Open radical prostatectomy.

I arrived at the hospital as requested at 6:30AM and proceeded to surgical admissions. There was already a line up ahead of me, I suspect for various surgeries.

My name was called first and was quickly ushered into prep room where we get to change into those wonderful hospital garments. IV was installed without too much fuss this time. My surgery was scheduled for 8AM so a bit of waiting. So glad my wife was with me.

When my time came instead of wheeling me in I was asked if I could walk in for some reason. I felt fine so had no problem. Actually it was kind of cool to walk beyond the RESTRICTED doors and into the surgical room. There were about six people in scrubs including my urologist with a great hat! They lone operating table in the middle of the room with glaring lights and ominous looking machines and tubes.

From this point they really move fast. I was given a "relaxing" drug into my IV that made me feel warm all over. Since I had opted for a morphine spinal that was then injected into the small of my back. No pain just a sharp prick. This guaranteed me up to 16 hours of strong pain relief.

Next came the mask in which you are asked to breathe deeply and heavily. I felt heavy and losing consciousness fast.

Woke up from a strong dream in the recovery room. They said I did wake up in the surgical room when they induced consciousness but I don't remember. Upon awakening it took me a second to realize where I was and what I had gone through. I felt no pain at all. I could see a catheter extruding from my penis and a 10cm incision closed by staples.

As soon as a room was available I was wheeled there and stayed 3 nights and 4 days.

The two weeks at home with a catheter was uncomfortable. After removal I was incontinent for 5 days. I was OK sleeping and sitting but as soon as I stood up I would start leaking. Something clicked on the sixth day and have been improving ever since. Today marks four weeks since surgery. I use one pad during the day but seem to have very few leaks. I still get tired but slowly starting my exercise routine again.

April 2017 marks about 17 months since my surgery. The final pathology confirmed Gleason 7 and stage was upgraded to T2C so it looks like I dodged a bullet. I am going to turn 57 in w couple weeks. I have no leakage so no pads. Very pleased. Girls still look great..... ; ) However ED is a work in progress. Viagra works very well but trying for natural...

So about two and a half years since my surgery. PSA rates are negligible which is great news. Looks like I caught it just in time since the cancer was in all four quadrants of the prostate but had not crossed the wall.

I am fully continent so no pads or leakage and that was my second goal.

Thirdly erections are still tough but I can manage. I sometimes get nocturnal erections which is a good sign. Certainly not spontaneous like before. Takes a bit of work. Viagra certainly helps. On going process.

All in all not. I am still alive! Get your PSA folks so you can establish a baseline...

Been almost 4 years since my surgery. PSA still undetectable. Fully continent. Erections can happen but they take some work now. No longer spontaneous.... Well I came close and survived so can't complain.

Well it has been almost 5 years since my surgery. My health is fine. I get a PSA test every year and it is negligable. I guess I was lucky to catch it in time before the cancer could spread out of the prostate. My continence is good, maybe 95%. I mean I don't have to wear any protective products. Erections are less frequent and the spontaneous ones few. Lately I have been getting nocturnal ones occasionally. All in all glad to be alive and relatively unscathed.

Here I am many years later (almost 64) mwith n o signs of cancer. I get PSA testing every year and still non-detectable. I was lucky to have caught it early before it escaped the prostate and spread. I am a big supporter of regular testing to help establish a baseline. It helps for crucial decisions down the road. The only side effect for me is that it takes more time for proper erection but that can be overcome with Viagra if needed. I have no regrets and continue to volunteer in my local Prostate Support Group.

Michael's e-mail address is: mrjblanchard AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")