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A big pass and a little fail

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 6/6/2013 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Today marks the 3 month anniversary of my DaVinci surgery, a milestone.

Two results:

1. Pass - The big one - PSA undetectable at the threshold of <0.1. Can I join the zero club? I wasn't nervous about getting this, which is surprising for a glass-half-empty guy. Obviously I'm thrilled

2. Fail - As it's been explained to me here, at 3 months 2/3 of guys regain continence. That's definitely not me, as I continue to struggle with this. Just hoping to be one of the 2/3 of those in my situation who are continent at one year. I will be going to physical therapy soon and am sanguine enough about this to risk a trip to Cabo later this month.
Posted 6/6/2013 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Looks like we had our DaVinci during the same week.
Congrats on the great PSA. Definitely a new member of the zero club!

Best of luck with progress on continence. Patience and kegels seem to be the solution for most folks.

-Gedman
Posted 6/6/2013 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Happy to hear about your PSA situation, hopefully you will eventual improvements on the incontinence side. have fun on your trip

david
Posted 6/6/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Great job on the zero club...hope your incontinence gets better as Im sure it will....and go have fun in cabo!
Posted 6/6/2013 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on being in the zero club.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 6/6/2013 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Zero club application approved.

Congratulations on the zero.

Hopefully the continence thing will improve with the therapy.

Enjoy Cabo!

Andrew
Posted 6/6/2013 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
So here is one of my fears about Cabo. Several years ago I caught a striped marlin. It took an hour and 15 minutes to land. So, I'm picturing myself in the chair. Marlin breaching and I have to get up to go to the bathroom after a half-hour. Or, I reach down and change pads with the right hand, causing the captain to freak out, cut the line and head back to town.
Posted 6/6/2013 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
My answer: condom catheter with a leg bag.

I mean if it's the difference between landing the Marlin or needing to get to the head.
Posted 6/6/2013 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Will that work with shorts?
Posted 6/6/2013 4:28 AM (GMT 0)

donft said...
Will that work with shorts?


Long baggy shorts?
Posted 6/6/2013 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Donft, don't give up hope just yet!  My husband went to rehab for 4 weeks, and it really helped him.  They taught him how to do Kegels properly.  By 6 months, no more accidents.  Good luck!
Posted 6/6/2013 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the encouragement, Aimzee. I'm not giving up hope. I'm just adjusting to the logistics of working (and later traveling) with my workshop bag holding pads, a diaper, plastic bags, a spare pair of underwear, etc.
The thing that cracks me up about PT is the idea that someone may get down there and see if the correct muscles are contracting. Certainly having PCa and a cystogram, catheter removal, and the rest have adjusted my modesty index.
Posted 6/6/2013 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...

donft said...
Will that work with shorts?


Long baggy shorts?

I have so many pair of those exercise??? pants that I could open a store. You know - the nylon ones with an elastic band. When you go to the bathroom 30 times a day, it's nice to not have to undo/unzip a bunch of stuff.
Posted 6/6/2013 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Happy for your zero-zeros are cooool!

As for the incontinence, I still drip and dribble and leak. I wear a larger pad still and I'm 5 months out from surgery, but I'm good with it. Incontinence can and will get better - but the zero is key.

Take care
Pat
Posted 6/6/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
You're doing great, and it will only get better. Best of luck.
Posted 6/6/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Zero Club! That is the most important thing.

We all knew the SE of surgery so the first goal was met. I am 10 months out and still use 2-3 pads a day. I guess I am in the 1/3 club, still not continent. ED is improving so all is good.

Celebrate the victory!

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 6/6/2013 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
..donft,
..Congratulations on the PSA that is a breath of fresh air. As for the incontinence you will make more progress as time goes by, you have no choice, right brother? I am trying to overcome too @ 4 weeks post op..

.........Enjoy that Zero, Nick...........
Posted 6/6/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats ! Keep your chin up there . I am still struggling also although it has gotton better.
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