Biker90's Cancer Summary

Cancer Summary

 

History:  My father died of prostrate cancer in 1985 at age 81.  I was 51 at that time and began having annual PSA tests with my yearly physical exams.  All was well until August 2006 when my PSA jumped from 5.1 to 7.1.  The first biopsy in September showed some suspicious areas so a second test was done in October.  The results on 11/3/06 showed a T2B cancer.

 

Plan:  My wife and I decided on RRP.  This decision was reached considering that surgery was the fastest and surest way to get the cancer gone.  We decided that a few weeks of discomfort followed by the possible incontinence and impotence was worth the risk.

 

Surgery:  RRP was performed on 12/7/06.  The lymph nodes were clean and the surgeon saved nerves.  I was in the hospital for two days.

 

Pain:  The anesthesiologist  put some morphine in the spinal and I had absolutely no pain for the first two days after surgery.  I took hydrocordone on day 3 and day 4, then nothing from then on.  The problems with morphine were a lot of itching (relieved with frequent body rubs with lotion by my dear wife)  and vomiting during the first day after surgery.  These problems were gone by day 4 but I had severe drug withdrawal (monkey on my back) for about 3 hours on night 4.

 

Emotional:  The days spent waiting for the results of the second biopsy were the most anxious of the whole process.  On that day the doctor said I had cancer but that my outlook for longevity was excellent.  From then on, I have had no fear or anxiety about the process or outcome.  (Probably a holdover from my “bulletproof” days.)  But more than that, the support from the HealingWell forum and the prayers and support from my family, friends and neighbors have been invaluable.  While I was being prepped for surgery, Fr. Michael from the hospital chapel administered the prayers for the sick.  I felt a great surge of confidence and carried it into the operating room.

 

Future:  The staples and catheter come out tomorrow, 12/13/06.  I feel strength in my sphincter and look forward to regaining continence soon.  The catheter has caused no problems at all but “carrying the bag” is not my idea of a great way to live.

All the best to you my friend, i wish you well with your recovery. Stay positive and look forward to getting back to a normal life. I myself get the results from my 4th biopsy tomorrow 13.12.2006 after already being told i have PC, now they have asked for a second opinion ( hence 4th biopy ) , been waiting 2 weeks for tomorrow, fingers crossed. My father also died with this disease when he was 70, ive been tested since i was 40.
Mike 48 ( London Uk )

Good on you Biker 90! Withyour attitude and fortitude you will be back on that sportster in no time. Ride on and Ride Safe!

Hi GreenAcres, Dougroc, Mickeyboy, Bluebird, Lawink and all,

Been up since 4:30 am. I got all tangled up in the tube so just got up and changed to the leg bag and realized that this was the last night with the exterior plumbing. Phew........... So I'm sitting here listening to The Carpenters old recordings on the internet. Karen Carpenter died young. She fought anorexia (sp) for years. Makes me so grateful to have something that can be cured.

Soon it will be time for breakfast and then off to get liberated....................

Thanks for all the support and see ya later.

Jim

Thanks Kat and all,

Just got back from the Dr. and the catheter and staples are gone, gone, gone! What a relief.....

The path report is the best we could hope for. Cancer completely confined to prostate so it went out last week. Pathological stage stayed at T2B and the Gleason went from 3+3 to 3+4. I am so glad that we chose surgery and got it over and out of our life so soon....... First PSA will be on 1/3/2007 so will hope for "undetectable".

Now to the Kegels and regaining control - this starts tomorrow.

During the month between being diagnosed and the surgery, I had time to reflect on what was important in my life and, as would be expected, have rearranged things somewhat. The little things that I overlooked for 72 years suddenly have taken their proper place in my life. The smell of a winter morning, the poem one of my sons wrote for me (I still can't read it with dry eyes), hunting with my other son (he gets the deer, I just get to carry a gun in the woods), my daughter's (both of them) smile, my dear wife's (of 51 years) sweet kiss.
These things now replace the thrill of going balls out and pedal to the metal in everything that I do. Cancer did this for me but I would never have realized it but for the support of this forum, my family and friends and all the staff at the hospital and Dr office that helped show me the way.

Thank you all so much,

Jim

One week after surgery and one day after the catheter removed.

I'm wearing my regular clothes and using a pad in my shorts. Had 3 small leaks yesterday and nothing since then. Doing Kegels as perscribed by the doc. No pain and no medication since since 3 days after surgery. Drug withdrawal from the morphine is letting up and have not had the "monkey-on-my=back" in the last 2 nnights - just some emotional flashbacks now and then.

Please keep propping me up folks - I need all the help I can get............

Jim

Jim,

Well my friend... looks like we're in the same boat.... I'm just a few days behind you. If I can just expel the gas pocket that's in my abdominal cavity, I'll consider that a major accomplishment...... more later.

Jay

Jim ~ I’m sure you didn’t overlook the things you stated….   They’ve just become more precious with the thoughts of losing them. How lucky we truly are…. We’ve been diagnosed, we’ve made our decisions toward being 100% cancer free, and we continue on with our lives. But we are changed and we are changed for the better!!!!!   The flowers truly are brighter, the smells truly are stronger, and the loves in our lives truly are LOVED!!!! How lucky we truly are!!!   To have a path we can follow ~ that others have traveled and are willing to share their experiences to help smooth our way.   How lucky we truly are!!!! Wonderful news in your postings…. Thank you for sharing!!!!   Taking-one-day-at-a-time and enjoying each and every moment.   This stepping-stone is a stone where we have to listen to our body….. it will tell you what it needs….    Our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!!   Take care friend….   Lee & Buddy

Jim,

I found your comments concerning the thought of dying after the biopsy to hit home. I have to say that I too went through the process of considering my death and after a couple of weeks and the help of others including this forum I realized that I was not afraid of death but that I was not going to die from prostate cancer. That got me going again and the positive attitude built and is still there today. I do not like the fact that I am different then before but I accept it and do not let it get me down. All I have to do is play with my grandson and know why I chose surgery and any complications as a result of it. I know that I got the best Christmas present I ever had when my cancer was contained and is gone.

Tamu

Jim - Really glad to hear that you're doing so well. Looks like we both crossed the finish line together doing really well. Take great care of that wife of yours. Like mine, she was there with you through all you went through. Treasure her!

George

Thanks George and Kat,

My wife is lots better today and we both are doing fine now.  I got rid of the baggy clothes yesterday and started wearing my regular pants and belt.  The incision hurts a little when I bend over the buckle but it feels so good to be back to normal.  Still no incontenence and I'm going to stay on the Kegels until 1/3 when I go in for my first PSA

This whole experience has brought my wife and I lots closer together.  After 51 years of marraige this little bump in the road will be just one more opportunity to strengthen our relationship. 

See ya later.......

Jim

Yeah Pete, I wore suspenders for a few years quite a while ago. I'll go back if the belt gets to be too much. Its better today, went shopping and did fine. It just feels so good to be in my regular clothes again. The bath robe and baggy pants just kept telling me that I'm sick. Now, I'm well again.........

Jim

Hi ~ Jim, Thank you for keeping your updates coming in….   You found out that the little sphincter muscle can only take so much…. and then he lets you know to slow down… right!! 51 years of marriage is a true journey in itself…   You are so right about being there for each other.   I’m happy to read where your wife is doing much better.   I hope she continues to improve.   Please give her a “HUG”….. from us  And you sound like a new man!!!!   Can you believe it’s been 13 days!!! Since surgery!   You are doing GREAT!!!   It’s truly been an amazing journey ~ this prostate cancer.   I say the word out right because the more I say it ~ I realize it’s just another word.   It is a disease that is curable if caught early so we are truly one of the fortunate ones.   Jim ~ I look at us being in our 50’s and you being in your 70’s…. and realize that each day we wake to a new dawn is another day to cherish.   We are not promised tomorrow so enjoy today.   And if this disease has helped put priorities into place…. We are better for having it.   It is one of many stepping-stones that are placed in our path…. and there’s a reason for it!   Having a positive attitude is such a strong source of healing…… Take care dear friend and it is always a joy to read your postings and see the positive attitude that shines through. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy