3 months out

Hi folks, been about a month since I last posted, been real busy. So, I got my 2nd PSA test about a month ago, at about 10 weeks post surgery. I was glad to hear it went from .11 at 6 weeks to .04 at 10 weeks, considered undetectable by the lab, still no zero club, but I'm hopeful. Got another test in 2 weeks... c'mon ZERO!

Anywho, incontinence persists but getting better I think. Wearing a maxi-pad all day, and a depends at night for security. I went out last weekend, drank many pints, by 1:00 am the maxi was wasted and the pants were soaked. Imagine? I really didn't care, was having too much fun with wife & friends. I continue to be hopeful. I simply can't get into a routine of kegels, which I don't think is helping. Do they really help? I can't remember to do them.

The ED issue is disappointing. I had a few positive episodes not too long after catheter removal, but it seems to be diminishing. My walk around schmekal is way reduced. There's just seems to be no blood flowing. I tale a half of cialis every 4th day as prescribed but not much of a response. A few time I felt I had a decent enough erection to penetrate, but as soon as assumed the missionary mount I started leaking urin.. killed it for me. Had a few of those. JO is not much better, but I can achieve an orgasm with a semi, like 50 or 60% eretion. I do okay with my wife's oral assistance too. I seem to get most of a semi just as I'm orgasming. I could go on and on, but you all get the gist.

So, how am I doing? Any words of advice or encouragement? Thanks in advance.

Dan

glabers,
Nobody ever actually gets a zero reading. PSA testing equipment even at the ultrasensitive level has lower limits of detection. Currently PSA below 0.003 cannot be detected (i.e if your true PSA was .002 it would not be found by the test.) Additionally test results at such low levels (below say .05) are variable even if the actual very low amount of PSA present does not vary. You are undetectable, known here as zero. so congratulations are the order of the day . ED even with nerve spaing surgery can sometimes take a while to recover. Way to go,
Bill

I think you are doing very well.. You are only a short while out of major surgery to a vital part...! Keep yourself positive and cheerful..That will help you AND your wife more than anything......Continuing good luck! Diane

It took me almost a year following surgery to obtain a useable erection. You're way ahead of where I was at 4 months.

Patience.  It will return.

Hi Guys,

Glabers' wife here, thank you for all the supportive posts.  I think he's doing great for the amount of time it's been since surgery.  I keep telling him that, but hearing it from people who have been through it is more encouraging.

Hope you are all doing well. 

Tony; I get what you're saying. I re-read your stats, and can see what you went through, and continue to go through. An amazing partner is critical, and you and I appear to be blessed in that department, as well as many on this board. You, I think, have a very positive outlook on life, which will pay you dividends for life. Thanks for the kind words

Greetings, Dan and Mrs. Dan.  Just an affirmation of what others have said here and that is I wouldn't be where I am today without a supportive wife both before and after surgery.  It is obvious you are a supportive couple and will make it through this trial/tribulation. 

For what it's worth, I was doing pretty well in the ED department fairly soon after surgery.  My doctor had said to take Cialis or Levitra and he gave me samples of each.  When I was able to function so soon after surgery, I didn't take the drugs and in hindsight that was a mistake.  I never got totally back to full function.  Now I take the ADC version of a 20mg Levitra 2 times a week and am ready to go when needed.  Of course it takes a good bit of help from my wife, but that's a good thing! 

It's still early yet and I'm sure with the 2 of you working on it together you will soon see the desired results.  Just remember that after surgery lovemaking is different - not worse just different.  In many respects the intimacy is much better and we are closer than ever.  All things considered I would just as soon have not had prostate cancer, but since I did have it we choose to look at the bright side and see all the good things that have happened. 

Keep up the good work.  David