I'm a physically fit 51 year old white male, I train/work out 4-5 times a week, have a good diet, take many supplements, no other medical issues, no allergies, no erectile or incontinence issues, digital rectal exam was normal, non-smoker and have an occasional drink.

I do annual physical exams. PSA from last year, 2.9, increased in one year to 3.6. Physician recommended Urology consult. Urologist felt prostate was slightly asymmetrical, recommended transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsies.

One of 12 biopsies came back positive, only 5% of core, adenocarcinoma, with a Gleason score of 3+3=6. Now came the education over the last 2 weeks. Surgeons like surgery, Radiation Oncologist like radiation. I am not an active surveillance type of person. [An important point about prostate cancer that is often misunderstood by those considering their options is that everyone gets to do some form of active surveillance in the end. No matter what the choice of treatment is, there will be scheduled PSA and physical examinations after treatment looking for potential treatment failure.]

Still having consults at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Karmanos in Detroit and William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

Glad I have options but haven't made a final decision on treatment modality. Wow, this sure does make you think about life. I'll add more as we progress!

My wife and I completed nine different consultations. First choice was HDR (High Dosage Radiation) temporary bead placement. But, after more consultations, decided that a prostatectomy would be a better decision. In total, we had two Urologists tell us to do nothing, watch and wait, we had two other Urologists tell us that radiation would be the best choice for my lesion. The remaining five Urologists stated that this lesion is probably isolated, small chances of passing out of the prostate, that I was only 51, and that removal would be the best choice. That keeps your brain spinning.

We completed a Da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy on December 23, 2010 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan. The Urologist was Dr. Sugandh Shetty. Pain control after surgery was pretty poor, only offered Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Narcotics were finally obtained for proper pain control. Then, bladder spasms kicked in, solved that too! I have used Beaumont hospital my whole life this was the worst experience and quality of care ever! After complaints, the second night was heaven! Sad!!!

Went home with a catheter on Christmas Day! I was happy to have it removed on the 30th of December, one week after surgery! That was easier than I thought! I did go home with a Stylin sexy diaper on and urinary control was on and off. Within a few days, urinary control had significantly improved! All the Kegel exercises have helped! Unfortunately ,the urinary, bladder and kidney infection from he'll kicked in! Cipro was the drug of choice and quickly brought that under control. Luckily, my cancer was in the apex of the prostate, the margins were clear. The seminal vesicles were clear as were the lymph nodes! Amen!!! Gleason score was still a 6 after the biopsy.

Now, about five weeks post op, I feel great. Urinary control is getting better. One small maxi pad will get me thru the whole day and sometimes the night too! I have been going to the gym four times a week, using very light 5 lb weights, to stretch and do my normal routine, just with light weights and lots of reps! Awesome!!! been walking a lot too! Even right after surgery, start walking as soon as possible, that will help with the gas too! Stay on the stool softeners for about 2-3 weeks afte surgery and you'll heal just fine! Keep you food intake light, lo fat, no spicy stuff, no alcohol either!

Erections are about 30 to 40% at this time. 20mg of Cialis have helped. 100 mg of Viagra seem to work better. Glad my wife was involved with all the consults. We all knew what to expect and how to work past these challenges. Dry orgasms are weird but fulfilling!

First new post surgical PSA will be in about two weeks. You still think about it but it doesn't devour me everyday anymore!!! I' ll get back in a few weeks! Thank God for this website, all the great info and people involved! Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm one year post robotic prostate removal.

Incontinence is 100% gone, was pretty good about 8 weeks after surgery. I recommend the Kegels that are discussed, do them before surgery and continue on after surgery.

As far as ED, I 'm about 60-70 percent. Still using VED for strong erection and also Viagra and Cialis. Mixed response with drugs. Alcohol ruin all ED drug effectiveness.

PSA has been pretty consistent, below .04, tested every 90 days. Had one at .08 but the phlebotomist blew out the vein, messed up results, was .08, redo was .04.

I pray the ED gets better but my peace with myself knowing that the cancer, you pray, is gone, I feel great, mentally and physically. I do have a small hernia to be repaired in Feb. It's from the site where the prostate was removed, by the umbilicus, slight lateral. Outpatient procedure.

I still read all possible on prostate treatments. I'm one year cancer free at this point. Keep the faith brothers, we can win this battle!!!!!

My surgery was 16 months ago. We have been checking my PSA every 3 months, which luckily has been undetectable, and have now been placed on a six month checkup. Unfortunately about 2 months ago I did have a repair done to a ventral hernia, from where the prostate was removed. Personally, on a scale of one to ten, the prostatectomy was a ten, this hernia repair was a one.

I feel great, incontinence again has been gone for 14 months, erections are about 80% and I respond well to both Viagra and Cialis. My VED is not needed for intercourse but I still use it roughly 2 times week to make sure blood fills the penis. Hopefully erections will continue to improve! Research does indicate up to 24 months for proper healing and function. Keep working out, watch your diet, supplements/vitamins and keep the faith!

I'm currently 2-1/2 years cancer free. My next Urology exam is in about a week. The last one was about 8 months ago and my PSA was negligible. I admit you still think a lot about prostate cancer when that exam gets close! You have to just keep the faith, stay the course, and do your routine check ups! Again as I have preached before, early detection rules and gives you the best chance of a quality survival!

My slight ED has improved some and I'm probably at the 90% mark. The VED has been put away at this time and I have cut my Viagra usage 50%. I will recommend again that you wife or significant other needs to be part of the whole process. This was so important and one of the great points I picked up from this awesome site!!! My wife truly understood what I was going through, mentally and physical. She was there for support 100%. She has been a great sport helping me get through the initial incontinence and ED issues. She has helped me get back to that 90% mark compared to before surgery erections. I can't imagine not having a loving partner and stabile support base to get through this life challenge. I will forever be indebted to her for kindness, sensitivity and understanding. Chris, I love you more than you'll ever know!!

Don't be scared and confused, use this site to educate and conquer! We are all here to help our brothers!

Amazing, it's been almost 4 years since my initial diagnosis. I just had another post surgical check up. These appointments always make you think about life again but you still have to keep the faith. My Urologist gave me a one year reprieve this time till my next appointment. PSA is still O. Amen!!! ED is slight and I still utilize half tabs of Viagra as needed. I stress the importance of continued follow ups. Again, early detection is always the key and offers you the best options for survival.

I'm still totally convinced that my robotic prostatectomy was my best option, for my individual case. The YANA site was one of my best informative educating sites and I have passed their website information on over a dozen times. I still read peoples stories and keep the education going! I have a lot of respect for my fellow YANA brothers!!!!

Again, upon that first diagnosis and hearing the word cancer, you panic. Then you accept the facts, get angry and its time to start your mission. This site can help with the education needed to give you the proper information for your specific battle. You can kick cancer's ass! You need faith, hope and love. Involve your spouse, family, friends and loved ones. You will need that support. Have a healthy lifestyle. Be smart and respect your body.

My thoughts and prays go out to my YANA brothers and developers! Again, this site is what I consider the bible of unlimited information about prostate cancer, treatments, issues, side effects, etc... Sincerely Submitted, Dr. Mike

Another year has passed and with this annual checkup and blood work, you start to think a little different. You have to have faith!,,, my PSA was undetectable. I'm coming up to my 5 year anniversary of being cancer free. Again, I decided on the robotic prostatectomy in the fall of 2010 because I felt it was the right procedure for my cancer. I knew my cancer was localized, very small and detected on a yearly check up! My only side effect is a slight ED. I can still have a fabulous relationship with my wife, and at times, we do not even need the half tab of a 100 mg, Viagra. I always express the importance of your wife going thru the entire process, the exams, the consultation, the decisions of either surgery or radiation. My wife was behind me thru everything. That's really important right after your surgery, when bodily functions and erections are all messed up. My peace of mind, and also for my wife, was knowing that they removed my cancer, and we were willing to work thru any of the side effects. If I had to make this decision again, I would do the exact same thing.

This site, in my first contacts with Terry, God Bless Him, was my saving Grace. The information was priceless, unedited, and kept me from going crazy. I learned so much from our YANA Brother's! I'm forever indebted to these YANA Brother's and their stories! This was a major part of my education, helping me decide on which treatment was meant for me!

I'm always available for questions. New techniques seem to always develop so I'm always open about learning more! Power of Prayer, Faith, Hope and Love! This will kick cancer's butt!

It's almost 6 years of being cancer free!!!! ED is very minimal, rarely use Viagra, I hate how it makes me feel. I can still have a great sexual and intimate relationship with my wife without any Meds. I just had my yearly check up with the urologist and PSA was undetectable. Thank you Lord!!! I'm one of the lucky ones!! Do your yearly check ups! Educate your friends!!! Early detection is the secret!!!!!! You do not have to do this alone!!! Keep the faith and beliefs!!!!! Yananow rules!!! What a great source to educate us all !!!

Hard to believe it's been almost 7 years, cancer free! The Lord has been good to me! My robotic prostatectomy was the right choice for me. I have slight ED but rarely use Viagra, probably 80-90% without Viagra. Most important issue is to involve your wife, family and loved ones, in the whole process, from diagnosis, in deciding which treatment is the best for you, thru this treatment and after! My wife and family have lived thru this entire journey with me! God Bless them! Contact me any time. This site was the greatest resource out there! God Bless Terry for his courage in this battle! Keep the faith, be strong, kick some cancer butt my Yananow Brothers!

I'm about a week away from my 8th year anniversary of being cancer free. Thank You Lord! You still get chills thinking about it as your yearly check-up approaches. I had my examine 3 days ago and just got the PSA results today, and it was undetectable. The answer you pray for. I think about this site, and Terry, Bless His Soul, who guided me thru this scary process over eight years ago! Terry and his family are always in my prayers. I gained so much knowledge and information from this most awesome site. I have referred 10-12 people to this site for the same reason. This site gives you Hope!

My procedure was a robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy and it was the right choice for me! Almost 8 years and I still feel that way. Very little complications, just slight ED, and, most of the time I do not even use Viagra anymore. I know newer options are available and I tell people to research all of them. You are your best own patient advocate.

This site gave me the courage to fight this horrible disease. The knowledge to fight this disease. I'm a big believer of involving your family, especially your wife. Your wife needs to know everything you are going thru, what your thinking, how you feeL. The strength from this love is so powerful! You got to have Faith! Faith, Hope and Love rule!!!

Keep the Faith my Yananow Brothers! Together, we can win this battle! Amen.

I just recently completed my yearly exam. At this time I have moved onto getting my PSA and annual physical by my primary physician. My Urologist has cancelled numerous times over the last year and stated that my primary physician can do the exam and PSA test as well. Even though it has been over 9 years ago, it's all still fresh in your mind.

I'm still extremely happy with my decision to have a robotic prostatectomy. My PSA just came back as negligible again. You still think about it and I still read up on options if I have a recurrence. Thank you Lord for this negligible PSA! I still have some slight ed issues. Being almost 61, I'm greatful it's a minimal problem I have been using Viagra for years but I'm not liking how I feel for 3-4 hours after I take the Med. I have recently switched to small doses of Cialis, 10 mg, once a week. And I usually take it close to bedtime, with no side effects. It's working well.

I'm lucky again with no incontinence as well. I still do Kegel exercises to keep up the strength of the pelvic floor. I recommend doing these exercises prior to you treatment and after. I have had great success with this.

Again, a reminder to keep your wife totally informed and part of the process. My wife has been my anchor and cornerstone thru this entire process. I'm so fortunate to be able to discuss anything with her. You need someone to talk too!

I thank the Lord for this site. I still remember spending hours reading these stories! You can kick cancers butt! We have the power. Thank you Terry for giving me this power over 9 years ago! God Bless!

Hard to believe that it's been over 10 years and I am still cancer free. I have been Blessed! Still some minimal ED issues but I'm fortunate! My choice of a robotic laproscopic prostatectomy gave me peace. I considered radiation but it didn't satisfy my desire to have this disease removed. After 10 plus years I'm still very happy with my decision. I'm also thankful I included my wife in all of the decision process, she's my soulmate, my strength and my best find. Whatever you decide, include your family and your wife in everything you do! You will need the support!

This site was my therapy and my peace. God Bless Terry for everything that was set up with Yananow back in the day. I have guided many to this site to help them through their nightmare!

Stay strong, educate yourself, keep reading people's actual stories to help you decide what is the best option for you! You can kick cancers ass!

I'm Blessed to have the opportunity to update my story. I'm about 4 months away from my 12 Year anniversary of being cancer free. Having a robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy was he best decision for me. I considered radiation therapy but I personally wanted this cancer removed. As I have discussed in the past, you have to include your wife and immediate family in the whole process. It's important to learn as much as you can. I was so fortunate to find this site right after my diagnosis in October of 2010. The stories, the treatments, the diagnosis, the complications, are priceless. I spent hours and hours reading these incredible stories. I found a deep inner peace from all the information here! No sugar coating, just real peoples stories, the good and the bad!

My PSA was still negligble at my last yearly exam 6 months ago. ED is still minimal and has not changed my life or relationship with my wife. I'm so very Blessed. My wife has been with me thru everything, and I learned this from the stories here. I can't stress how important that decision will be in your success!

Keep reading and learning! We are all Brothers having the will to kick cancers butt! You gotta to have faith! Peace

Hard to believe I'm coming up on my 13th year of being cancer free! All still the same and super happy with my decision years ago to have my prostate removed. Options have increased since then, that's for sure. I'm still blessed to have found this site and Terry, to help guide me years ago! God Bless him!!!!! It sure was a scary time! As I mentioned previously, involve your wife, you need your partner totally involved and part of the process. My wife was my Rock thru this challenge, and great support. I've survived some other nightmares as well, lost my colon and all of the large intestines, due to severe diverticulitus, about a year ago! Keep the fight going!!! I'm Blessed to be alive again! This site is the best education and reality out there. Keep an open mind, remember we are all different and my procedure was perfect for my concerns and needs. We are all Brothers and in this together to win this cancer war! Reach out if you ever need someone to talk too! Peace My Brothers!!! Good Luck!!! God Bless!!! Have Faith!!!!

Mike's e-mail address is: kabodontics AT aol.com (replace "AT" with "@")