I was diagnosed on 18th June 2010. PSA 4.2 Gleason 3+4=7 MRI showed capsule slight breach but bone scan clear. After a series of terrible communication problems relating to Carlisle Cumberland Infirmary, I asked for a referral to Addenbrookes.
I decided to opt for RALP because I didn't like the thought of a cancerous lump, sitting inside my body, even if it was a radiated dead lump! Surgery was on November 2010.
Made a good recovery so far. Dry at night in first week, almost dry by day in four weeks. Completely dry and no pads at eight weeks. Though surgery was non-nerve sparing, ED is coming along well with Cialis. Now doing 12 mile walks taking in several 2,000 foot peaks a week in the Lake District.
Histology after surgery...Gleason 7 confirmed. No Lymph involvement. PSA 0.02. T3a. Clear margins. Next PSA March 10th 2011.
I am now treasurer of the local Prostate Cancer Support Group and a Macmillan volunteer. I am happy for people to contact me. I have already talked to many people who are thinking of LRP. I find that I can answer the questions that their doctor or consultant can't!
I started a Blog when I was first diagnosed. It was a good way of keeping friends and relatives informed, because they don't like asking all the time when you have cancer! I did it daily for 6 months and now have gone on to weekly. It's only 30% cancer and the rest is more about my life and some of my funniest memories! [And some stupendous photographs!!]
In response to a reminder, Daniel said:
I've overlooked this somehow, sorry.
Still zero PSA 18 months after surgery and now taken up badminton again. Feeling fitter than I have for 10 years. Still issues with ED but that's not a big deal considering!
I am now coming up to 3 years after surgery and PSA still thankfully zero. I still get very anxious when I go to pick up the result every six months, but statistically there is only a 7% chance of recurrence just now. Still problems with ED, I can give myself an orgasm which is a 'nice to have', but no chance of penetration without Caverject. I'm happy with my lot :-)
PSA still undetectable 4 years after surgery, thank God!
Living in Bangkok now, had PSA in November and still zero, 5 years after surgery. Waiting for the result never gets easier, and the few days after are always full of relief, but wishing you could bring that to others.
PSA May 2016 less than 0.003
PSA still undetectable 6 years after surgery, only problem being ED but hey, I'm alive and loving every single day. Still miss Terry.
Still leading an active and happy life 8 years after surgery.
8 years after surgery, and having had 6 monthly PSA tests, I decided to leave it a year this time. 2 months to go until my next PSA test and I have to say, I'm still worried, but cautiously optimistic.
PSA in March 2020 still at zero, surely this can't last! For many, it hasn't, but I remain optimistic!
I had a scare when a test result in November 2019 showed a slight rise in PSA 0.13 but a test a week later and then a month after that still showed zero. Phew! Still think of Terry!
I continue to be PSA undetectable and have gone onto annual blood tests now. I had a scare with a O.13 but it turned out to be a contaminated equipment problem, as the test the followwing week proved! ED still a problem but hey, at 70 and very alive, I'm glad my legs are still stiff :-)
So long since surgery and so grateful to my surgeon Mr Nimish Shah and his team at Addenbrooks Hospital. PSA still undetectable and though there have been downsides to the surgery, I couldn't be more in love! Thank you Beverley xxx
PSA still zero 13 years after surgery, what a great team at Addenbrooks and huge thanks to surgeon Nimish Shah.
Daniel's e-mail address is: dansencier AT yahoo.co.uk (replace "AT" with "@")
