Posted 8/30/2013 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a new member of this forum, having just found it a few days ago. Happy to receive constructive suggestions regarding content and format for posting, if needed.
I am coming up on my 64th birthday ("when I get older, losing my hair, [not so] many years from now," etc.) My history with PCa is both long and short.
Long, because my father, and two of my three brothers, had it. My father was diagnosed at about the same age as me, and died of other causes when he was 90. My two older brothers were diagnosed at earlier ages, and both died of it, in their early 60's. Not a great family history! My younger brother is watching his PSA carefully, needless to say.
Short, because I was diagnosed in early June this year. My internist suspected something was amiss from the DRE, and sent me to Emory's Urology Department. Surgeon John Pattaras did the biopsy procedure. Gleason 3/4, involving 2 of 14 samples. He recommended surgery, but also sent me to a radiologist, to learn about that option. I also saw a medical oncologist at Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, for a "neutral tie-breaker" opinion, and he strongly recommended the surgery option. I signed up for a robotic prostatectomy to be done on Aug. 5.
Lots of dread in those weeks before the surgery! First time in my life I've needed a sleep-aid (Ambien). And although I was forewarned, I have to say that the experience of blood in your semen, from the biopsy, was pretty ugly, too! Takes the 'happy' out of happy ending.
So, that Monday came early; at the Emory hospital at 5:30 am, along with lots of other unhappy campers. The surgery went well, but took longer than usual (5.5 hours). I was told this was due to having more than the usual number of blood vessels in the vicinity; lots of detail work required. Got carted up to my room at 6pm, more than twelve hours after getting to the hospital. The nurse asked me to set a goal for that day, and I did: survival.
Stayed two nights; long enough to get to walking about, and to get my bowels awakened. Most of the time in the hospital, I felt 'brain-dead' from the anesthesia. I was not sparkling company for my family!
Back home, my complaints were (1) I hate the catheter, (2) scrotal swelling, and (3) serious aching of the 'package,' late in the day. Got the catheter out eight days after the surgery. Had no problem with continence. Had to pee frequently and it felt unpleasant at first, but compared to pads and leaking, I got no complaints!
Since then, I've been getting better day-by-day. I'm mostly retired, doing a little software development work from home, so no need to go into an office. For the last week, I've been at our lake house in NE Georgia, and I can hardly wait to get back into the water, as soon as the four 'bullet-holes' in my belly have shed their scabs. The other day, I did a little outside electrical work, running a line out on our balcony for a WiFi relay to serve the boathouse, and the up-and-down stairs thing got to me by the end of the day, making me sore. Guess I need to learn to take it easy.
Since the catheter was pulled, I've been taking 5 mg Cialis every other day (free one-month daily sample will last two months). This morning I had the place to myself (wife back in town, bringing our grandson up for the weekend), which helped me relax and check things out. With the help of imagination, lubrication, and some careful, tentative self-stimulation, I was able to get about a 50% erection, for about half an hour. Not exactly a Roman orgy, but it's progress, and makes me feel more optimistic!
Sorry for rambling! Hope it's not TMI. Just trying to share my experience, as I've found others' experiences helpful to me.
R.