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Posted 8/20/2016 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I finally found the courage to look at my PSA result on-line. This was the most anxiety I have ever experienced on a PSA test. Have appointment with Uro on Monday and I always want my results ahead to get my advice from here to be ready with questions.

Result is <.01 to which I am very relieved. I recently read NolaVette's post below so I get that it is really a result and not necessarily a cure.

I will take it, be happy and wait for the next 3 months to see if we keep the good news going.

On the continence side I am doing well. It is weird, I will have 4 great days and then get up from a chair and have a what was that????? It only happens once in a while and not a lot of leakage. This week I have pretty much been fully continent, an occasional drip. Seems the last two weeks have been vast improvement weeks although my experience has been above average based on some of the posts I have seen here.

On the ED side not much success. I do get a partial erection after an orgasm which lasts a few minutes. Any thoughts on that? I am continuing with daily Cialis and will be asking the Uro for some direction on where to go from here.

So all in all, I am pleased to date with my decision and recovery results, still have a ways to go.

Have a great weekend friends,

Greg
Posted 8/20/2016 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Great news on the PSA! Here's to a life time of zeros.

on the other fronts, time, it takes time. You've just had major surgery and it takes a long time for the body to heal 100% Progress tends to be in stages. You move up, stay, then move up again. I suspect the leaking will reduce in time and the erections will get longer and stronger. The pills are a good idea for rehab.

Keep up the good work,
Andrew
Posted 8/20/2016 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the PSA!

keep it going -

Bobby Mac
Posted 8/20/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
You're doing great . Live life and be thankful.
Bob
Posted 8/21/2016 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
newtopc, congrats
My experience was that, although I was mostly continent after 3 months, I did continue to have those "what the heck was that" moments. Over time they became less frequent, and at 6 or 9 months, I saw the urologist/surgeons or a follow up, (don't recall exact time frame) , and told him I saw continued improvement but had an occasional leak. His response was that I should see improvement continue over time, and that's what happened.
So be patient, and continue to do your Kegels.

On the ED front, if you are getting an erection even for a short period, that's a good sign. It's way too early, in my LAYMANS opinion, for you to make any judgements, it takes time, often years, not months to get 100% of whatever recovery you will get.

But good to communicate with your Dr on both of these issues.

Congrats on what sounds like a textbook recovery so far, especially on the undetectable PSA! 😀
Posted 8/21/2016 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Great News! Now sit back, relax and have a mimosa. :-)
Posted 8/21/2016 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Newtopc. That's excellent news!
Posted 8/22/2016 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the well wishes.....not sure if I should post this under a new thread but just came back from the Uro and feel like I went from a Rock Star to a Roady.....

He said that the undetectable PSA is a good result but that with EPE I have a 30% chance that I may need additional treatment. He emphasized that that means 70% chance of not.

He said that although the studies are not yet conclusive that some patients elect radiation with EPE after healing from the surgery. So that means radiation without a detectable PSA and not waiting for it to become detectable. He said some patients just want to take as much action as necessary to ensure a cure.

He said the radiation will in all likelihood effect my recovery with continence and erectile function. He said that he can make a referral to an RO if I want to explore. He feels that if he were I, based on my age, that he would wait and look to the 70% positive side. If the PSA becomes detectable then quickly take action at that time.

I asked if the 7% involvement improved my chances of a cure and he said less cancer, less risk.

He wants to do PSA tests every 4 months for the next 2 years.

I told him I have no interest in radiation at this point. I will take the chance.....quality of life is most important to me right now, not longevity.

I had "cured" in my head ..... not so much now......and I do know better.....

Best to all,

Greg
Posted 8/22/2016 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't worry about follow up treatment at the moment. If your PSA ever starts moving up, go see the RO. Current thinking would be if you get .03 you should start that process.

Until that happens - enjoy life.

Andrew
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