I recently underwent a robotic prostatectomy procedure. I'll be the first to admit I'm a sensitive guy when it comes to anything dealing with needles and pain. However, I experienced very little post-surgical pain, very little blood, and what pain I did have was easily managed by Motrin. One week after surgery, I was walking two miles a day, and when the catheter was removed, I was fully continent! As I write this coming up upon my 3rd-week post surgery, I'm back swimming at 1/2 my pre-surgical workout and walking 4 miles in between swim days.
After my original diagnosis of a rising PSA at the age of 54, my physician recommended a prostate biopsy. Researching online at the time, I learned that biopsies were not always accurate. I reached out to a good friend who is a professional, and he made some suggestions that I heavily researched.
After meeting with the doctor I chose and discussing my options for biopsy, I settled on a contrasted multi-parametric 3 Tesla MRI with an MRI guided needle biopsy. Unlike other biopsies, the contrasted MRI procedure is non-invasive and does not involve the older method of using a Trans-Rectal Ultrasound, or TRUS. Once the MRI results highlighted the potential cancer sites, the same process was used to verify the accurate biopsy needle placement. Multi-parametric MRI guided needle biopsies assure the most precise core samples of the suspect tissue "the first time." This procedure is becoming the standard biopsy method over the ultrasound-guided biopsy methods. Unfortunately, my test results were positive for two of the three sites tested, and I ended up with a Gleason 3+3 or 6, PIRAD-4, PSA Density 0.014 ng ml/cc.
After my diagnosis, I set off on a path of extensive online research. Over the coming months, we met and talked with numerous other professionals involved with various protocols both mainstream and research. These included Brachytherapy, Proton Beam therapy, High-Intensity Focal Ultrasound (HIFU), Focal Laser Ablation, and "Watchful Waiting." I also spoke with other prostate cancer survivors who had all had undergone various types of protocols. At the same time, I started an intensive physical training program and reduced my intake of unhealthy foods, replacing them with nourishing alternatives. I began to walk as much and as far as possible, increased my swimming to develop core strength and lean body mass, and added weight and TRX training to my program. My training also helped me deal with the stress of my diagnosis and all my research leading up to my decision for the best course of treatment.
A total of 22 months had passed since my original diagnosis and I was even hopeful that in seeing my PSA drop from 5.8 to 4.2 that somehow I was getting on top of this. However, another multi-parametric MRI showed cancer still active. Over this time of exhaustive research, countless discussions with my doctor, who all the while remained very understanding with me, leaning on “watchful waiting,” and hoping for a pill of some type for a cure, I finally scheduled my surgery. The post-surgical biopsy came back showing advancement in my grade of the prostate cancer, a Gleason 3+4; now my Gleason 6 became a Gleason 7 within 22 months. However, I was still fortunate that my cancer remained within the prostate and my margins were negative or clean.
The change in my Gleason score from a 3+3 to a 3+4 elevated the probability of the return of my prostate cancer from near 0 to 10 percent. However my doctor discussed numerous studies on the effects of diet and exercise on prostate cancer patients, he is confident that as I move past my surgery and continue with my healthy lifestyle, I can lower the 10 percent significantly. I feel incredibly relieved that I’m continent and no longer dealing with the thought of carrying cancer that I had for the last 22+ months. I give full credit to my doctor for the success of my robotic surgical procedure. However, he stressed the importance to me that the patient has a lot of control over the successful outcome as well. By preparing and being in their best nutritional and physical shape possible and following the post-surgical recovery recommendations, a patient can improve the surgical and recovery processes dramatically.
Everyone is uniquely different, and this is just my story and opinion. Reflecting on this experience, my mind created many what-ifs that are now behind me. Now the path before me is one of focusing on the healing.
Post Edited (Chris Topher) : 6/16/2018 5:24:49 PM (GMT-6)