My PSA over the course of 5 years slowly climbed from 1.5 to 5.0 with a jump from 3.2 to 5.0 in the last year. Of course that prompted my primary care physician to send me off to a urologist. Naturally I was quite concerned especially when I found out that a biopsy was required. I had the biopsy done and I admit I found it most unpleasant, mostly the last 4 needles. I discovered that the lidocaine injection or whatever was used was not all that effective on me. The after effects were not all that bad, blood in the urine for a couple of days and just a little sore.

The phone call came 4 days later and yes there was cancer found. It was 1 core with 10 % Gleason 6 cancer. After much research and deliberation I elected to do the active surveillance route knowing that another biopsy was only 18 months away. I had the second biopsy done under sedation. This made the whole affair much easier to take. I thought it was $500 well spent!

The 2nd biopsy revealed 1 core with 30% Gleason 3+4 cancer. I really did not want to hear that. I finally accepted the fact that I was going to end up just like my father if I did nothing. My father died of lung cancer when he was 75 but his prostate cancer was certainly causing issues.

So now I needed to decided on a course of action. My Dr. did an excellent job explaining the options, but a book I read called "The Decision" by Dr. John McHugh really helped me the most, I strongly suggest it.

I elected to have the DaVinci surgery. I had surgery 5 weeks ago. The first week is the most uncomfortable mostly due to the catheter but after that was taken out my recovery has been rapid.

A bit of advice about the catheter removal...take a percocet before hand, it makes it fairly tolerable.

I believe my Dr did an outstanding job. I regained about 80% urinary control within one day after the catheter was removed. I used Depends for a week then just some absorbent pads. Five weeks after surgery I only have to deal with some stress leaking which I am pretty sure should be all but gone in a month or so. The next thing of course is to be able to have an erection again. With as good I am already feeling I am confident that functionality will soon return.

I was back at work full time 2-1/2 weeks after surgery. One more week and I get the first blood test. I am not to concerned about this outcome because the pathology revealed only a small tumor with no indication of any spreading outside of the prostate capsule and the 4 lymph nodes sampled were also clear.

My Dr told me that in my case active surveillance was an OK decision provided I could live with it.

It is a good feeling though not to be carrying around the weight of a cancer brick on the back of my head!

Surgery was a year and 1 month ago. PSA is still zero, urinary control is 100%, and the ever important erectile function is nearly back to pre-surgery level.

Two years since surgery, PSA is still zero, 100% urinary control, and ED is minimal with Cialis.

Three years since the surgery, PSA is still zero, all is well!

Four years since my surgery, PSA is still ZERO, no serious side effects.

I just had my yearly checkup with my urologist. My PSA is still undetectable and I have no other issues other than needing cialis which I would probably need anyway since I am pushing 70.

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