Just had RP

Ronnie,
We are in your corner! It was a miserable time and way to discover that the PCa had spread, but like Tall Allen, PDa, and others have mentioned the "rp was not in vain". Research published in the 14 April edition of the European Association of Urology indicates 21/2 times better results at 14 years for rp than without. I wish you well. Heal & then fight.
Bill

I have been home since the beginning of the weekend. Physically I am starting to feel a lot better.

My discharge now from the hospital says:

During the surgery it was noted that the prostate Ca was unfortunately more advanced than previously thought, involving inferior rectal wall, bladder base + seminal vesicles. This meant the cancer was not fully resectable. T4N1Mx with multiple palpable nodes.

Since this was a palliative resection it was not felt that full node dissection was appropriate. Prostate taken off urethra, bladder + rectum. (Does this mean it was fixed to those)



Is there anything in there that maybe isn't completely obvious to a novice like me? I was also told my bladder had been stitched back on and was not allowed a suppositry, is this normal?

Any studies? I'd like to know my chances of being here in 5 or 6 years.

Post Edited (Ronnie44) : 6/2/2014 3:43:14 PM (GMT-6)

Hey Ronnie,

I can't answer any of your questions at all but I wanted to say hello and see how you are doing. Hoping you are comfortable and have pain under control.

What are your stats, age, etc?

We are new to this, too and learning as we go. I am just the finace, not the afflicted... although in a way it has definitely affected us both in huge ways.

Keep your chin up, try not to worry too much and focus on recovering from the surgery. And take it easy. you only have one chance to heal properly and doing too much too soon isn't a good thing and can lead to adhesions and scarring you could do without.

Take care my friend!

Krissy

Ronnie,

Your chances of being here in five or six years are pretty good, actually, although nothing is ever guaranteed with this danmable disease. What is more at risk with your next few treatments is how much time you will be spending in doctors' waiting rooms in five or six years.

I looked a bit for the research you asked for and didn't find anything that seemed to answer your questions clearly. But I did gain an impression. I found two sorts of research papers. There are the retrospective studies of all patients treated between 1985 and 2000, most of whom promptly curled up theirs toes and died. But that data is practically prehistoric.

The other sort of paper I found was from individual doctors and institutions who are excited about their current results and are saying that the game has changed. Treatments are all getting better. Radiation is both more effective and more selective. New drugs and chemotherapy are better with fewer side effects. Immunotherapy treatments are getting better and better results. And these treatments work even better in combinations. Radiation works better with hormone therapy. Ditto for hormones with chemo. Immunotherapy seems to make everything work a bit better. These are exciting times to be a prostate cancer oncologist.

I'm not getting the sense that your doctors are excited about your treatment options. Perhaps you could find some who are.

Hi Ronnie,

I hope this quick note finds you well. I've been reading about your rp, tears and newly beginning ht - wanting to post a message to you but getting pulled in all kinds of directions away from my computer. Now that I have a moment, I want to wish you strength as you fight an opponent who will do all it can to make you feel like you've lost before you begin to swing. I am glad you are here with other fighters. My voice joins theirs in cheering you on, round by round.