I entered the world of prostate cancer reluctantly, as do
all, when diagnosed early 2011. My fiancée, a nurse, and I dug into the
subject, reading everything from Dr. Walsh to “…Prostate Snatchers” to NCCN Guidelines and the Healing Well site.
Fairly depressing stuff, much of it, and I wasn’t looking forward to my
decision and action.
In April 2011 I underwent a laparoscopic robotic
prostatectomy. Cancer appeared fully contained within prostate... we'll see. Catheter was removed 10 days later and early signs were good. Complications
(bladder spasms – a lot of pain), required reinsertion of catheter but I was
doing well a month after the procedure.
It's two months since surgery. Not using pads, very infrequent leaks. As for erectile, I’d
guess 90% pre-op. Meds work well, and not always needed.
I debated posting this, not wanting to seem to gloat. But
I wanted to provide one guy’s positive story. My fiancée had talked to a friend
re her husband’s similar experience in his mid-50s. They look back at it as a
minor blip on their life experience. That is my hope.
I’m fortunate in two areas – a partner fully committed to
researching the best action and working together to recovery, and access to a top-notch
urologist at Hopkins. We’re convinced the doctor’s experience is a huge factor in
a good outcome.
10/2007 – PSA 3.7
08/2010 – PSA 6.8, dropped to 4.5 w/ advil and
anti-inflammatory
01/2011 – Biopsy, 3 of 12 cores showed cancer: 2 at 5%, 1
at 75%. Gleason 3+3=6, Stage T1c
04/2011 – Laparoscopic (DaVinci) prostatectomy. Age 54.