Posted 2/18/2022 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Seven years ago this morning my wife and I parked the car on the roof level of the parking garage at Barnes-Jewish hospital in downtown St. Louis, and made our way to the surgery center. By 10 AM I was in the prep area, and by noon I was in the OR. Late in the afternoon, I woke up in the PACU, and was moved to a room--without my prostate.
They sent me home the next afternoon, and my new life began.
After a few weeks, I was feeling well enough to go back to work, and within a few months I was feeling pretty good. I was continent during daytime hours (thin shields only, mostly dry most of the time with pads at night) within a couple of weeks, and I stopped wearing the heavy pads altogether within a month. I word the thin shields for a while more for mental security than anything.
ED was never much of an issue, I started daily 2.5 mg Cialis a couple weeks post surgery, and had stirrings within a week or so after that. That has been working fine ever since.
My goal at the time was to stay here for the long haul, to be a voice of calm and sanity for the next half-crazy guy who came in with a new diagnosis. I know I've been fortunate in my outcome, and I am greatly appreciative of those who used their skills and craft to take care of me at that time. I am also incredibly grateful to the guys (and some gals) here who have opened their hearts to us in their lowest moments--you keep us all going.
I have my next PSA on March 1. I'll let you know how it goes.