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Posted 2/23/2018 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have read from this forum many times over the last year, but never have posted.

I had Prostatectomy surgery December 2016. Gleason 3+4 / t2c. Surgeon said everything else was clear.

I’m now 48 years old. Wife and kiddos who I’m grateful for.

Psa readings have been .01, except for a psa check at the family doctor, which was .02. I’ll take that and be grateful. My next psa reading with urologist is in October.

ED has been a challenge, but I’m in the ballgame of life.

God bless all of you battling this

Keep hope everyone. Remember to eat healthy and exercise.

Eric
Posted 2/23/2018 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Eric and welcome aboard. Glad to hear that your PSA numbers have been good. Hope you make some progress with the ED. There are many men here who have faced the same challenge and they can help with some suggestions if you need them.

Jim
Posted 2/23/2018 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jim.

I battled some depression this past year.

I have gone to a support group in Fort Worth, TX so that helps.

Take care

Eric
Posted 2/23/2018 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Eric,
Welcome to the best PC forum around. Keep us posted and ask questions anytime. There are many here with a boatload of knowledge, and others like , myself here to relate their own personal stories of our jouirney. I believe you are in a "watchful waiting phase", hopefully one day soon a "cured" phase.
I like your tag line "keep hope everyone," and I like to add "keep the faith!"
Wings
Posted 2/23/2018 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

Sounds like you're doing fine.

Glad to hear from you.

Andrew
Posted 2/23/2018 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Eric,

As a fellow December 2016 surgery guy, welcome to the forum.

Bill
Posted 2/23/2018 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bill. I’m glad your PSA is undetectable.

I’ll have to put my pathology stats down later on. It has a lot of information that I don’t quite get. All I concentrated on was the surgeon telling me that the rest of it was good.

Take care everyone

Eric
Posted 2/24/2018 2:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Eric,

It's great to welcome you here, as a fellow comrade and "brother in the battle" ...

We stand alongside you in all of this, Eric.

It's great that you have gone from a visitor to an official poster, here on this website.

Post anytime you wish --- we're here to offer advice, support, and encouragement to anyone who might be in need.

Along the way, you're going to find other fellows here who will find encouragement from your story.

We're in the same general age range --- I, too, was in my 40s when I was first diagnosed.

I'm starting my fifth year of survivorship since being diagnosed. My treatment history is shown below, beneath my signature at the end of this message.

Don't ever hesitate to reach out, here on this website, if you need some encouragement.

It's the sharing of our stories, over the course of time, that makes this website POWERFUL in its ability to reach other readers, just when they need help the most --- such as when hearing the news of an initial diagnosis, needing some treatment advice, or just needing the fellowship and camaraderie that emerge from the members who visit here.

Hope this finds you doing your best, Eric. It's good to hear from you.

Handshake, from across the miles, from "one brother to another brother" ---
CYCLONE TEAM FAN ~ Iowa State University
Posted 2/24/2018 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Eric !! I`m a "post toastie " from Dec 2016.........getting my mojo back ....hang in there brother , the ED should get better with some more time ....so many here to help in that department ............David
Posted 2/24/2018 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Eric, You mentioned ED is a challenge. Are you seeking help for the ED? What is your plan of action, or do you have a plan?
Posted 2/24/2018 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the encouragement.

I’ll keep you all posted on my journey.

Olbeek, had relations with my wife sometimes. It comes and goes.

I’m on a daily dose of tadalafil. I’m sure it does ok, because sometimes I’m able..

Thanks again to everyone.

I should add that my music hobby with my teenage boys keeps me going as well.

I’m also encouraging others my age to get tested.

Eric
Posted 2/24/2018 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Eric: Glad you found us too bad you had to. Stick with us here and you will get a wealth of info. Some useful and some not but you will get what you need to help make decisions or to just feel connected.

Be well.

Roger
Posted 2/24/2018 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Eric, glad to hear you are doing well and glad you found this great website! We may not always agree with each other here, but we are all brothers in arms fighting this disease! Great caring, knowledgeable people here always willing to help and answer any questions you may have! yeah
Posted 2/24/2018 4:25 PM (GMT 0)

Estarnes said...
I battled some depression this past year. I have gone to a support group so that helps.


Eric, that depression can eat away at you. I fought it for a couple years well into my cancer journey, had mentioned it to a couple of my doctors, but they don't take hints. If it affects your outlook on life then it needs to be treated.

It's good that you found a support group, but if you find yourself crying a lot and becoming easily upset then you owe it to yourself to let your doctor know that it is a serious problem. Most do not want to get involved. A mild antidepressant may work wonders, and there really isn't the stigma attached to it as you may fear. It beats trying to keep your balance at the edge of a precipice. Once you fall in it's difficult to climb out on your own.
Posted 2/24/2018 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. Many members join after their initial diagnosis and use the forum to help in their treatment decision process. However, this is a journey and whatever helps you along the way is great.

You seem to be in a pretty good place post surgery. Your depression is a worry. Perhaps it crept up on you, but the key is recognizing the problem and taking action. Congratulations on your positive response.

There is a great deal of excellent information on this forum, and the members are very helpful. Take advantage. You won't be disappointed.
Posted 2/24/2018 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Eric...all things considered, you're in a reasonable place. Keep doing what you are doing, that ED should diminish, as should the understandable occasional depression.

Great that you finally jumped in!

Best of luck.
Posted 2/25/2018 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, and thank you for sharing....I'm nothing more than a crazy wife to a 40 year old male facing prostate cancer....we shall know for sure next week. He's very concerned that his nether regions "won't work" anymore should he have his prostate removed. I know I could care less, because I just want him healthy. I would bet that your wife feels the same.

We have 2 kids, ages 4 and 6....this is all very scary, but this forum makes me feel so much better.
Posted 2/25/2018 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi wife, (not crazy lady)

I have a daughter at tx a&m and twin 16 yr olds. I’ve been married for 23 years.

My wife is understanding, for sure. That helps a bunch.

This board has already been helpful. It’s nice to hear from others that struggle, worry, and keep hope. Sometimes everyone needs to a little lift.

Doctor has my on a small dose of trazadone. That helps when I need it. I will pay attention to how I am. My wife is very in tune with how I am.

Again, thank you all.

God bless you all,

Eric
Posted 2/25/2018 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

CrazyLady said...
Hello, and thank you for sharing....I'm nothing more than a crazy wife to a 40 year old male facing prostate cancer....we shall know for sure next week. He's very concerned that his nether regions "won't work" anymore should he have his prostate removed. I know I could care less, because I just want him healthy. I would bet that your wife feels the same.

We have 2 kids, ages 4 and 6....this is all very scary, but this forum makes me feel so much better.


You can say you don't care if IT works but that does not help. Men are different animals and they care and they want you to care also. There is a site called FrankTalk that discusses the issues of ED after RP and other ailments. It discusses all the different cures. Even has a topic about how guys feel about their sexuality. Folks on FrankTalk do not hold back while talking about their problems and feelings. I am 76 and when my wife says she does not care, it is like getting a knife stuck in me. Others may have different feelings but these are mine.
Posted 2/25/2018 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Oldbeek, I’m in your camp. My wife thinks she’s helping when she tells me she could care less, but it has the opposite effect on my psyche. I want her to care at least as much as I do.
Estarnes, apologies that we’ve sort of hijacked your first post! But it shows what a valuable contributor you already are. smile
Posted 2/25/2018 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Eric,
Welcome to our little corner of the world here. Here's hoping to your lifetime of low undectable psa! Sounds like you have a great family to love and support you which is so very important. Whatever works for you and your wife is wonderful! I liked your saying. "Keep Hope Everyone"

Larry
Posted 2/25/2018 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
I’ll go check out FrankTalk.

Thanks again!

Eric
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