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Posted 8/9/2007 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I’m new. I am in my mid 50’s. I’m a very new prostate cancer survivor.

My PSA prior to surgery was around 4.3 and I had two biopsy cores that came back positive for cancer (less than 5% each).

I studied the treatment options and outcomes over 2 months. I decided to have laparoscopic surgery. I went through the surgery last week using the Da Vinci robotic system after discussing several “second” opinions with doctors and surgical nurses about my specific case.

My decision to opt for surgery hinged on getting that cancer out of my body and having an opportunity to do a deep pathologic study on the prostate to see what I’m in for.

All I can tell you is that I’m doing very, very well. I attribute that to God and also to the wonderful procedures and doctors available today. The surgery for me was almost a “walk in the park,” although walking around the hospital ward the second day after surgery was a little slow. Your results may differ, of course.

After the post-surgery pathology of the removed prostate, all indications are that the tumor was completely confined to the prostate. So, now I go on the regiment of watching my PSA over the next months and years. I feel I have bought myself some good time.

I have several good friends who are prostate cancer survivors as well, and they chose different treatments for various reasons. We are all happy with our treatment options and outcomes.

If I can answer any questions about pre- and post-surgery or my mental state (risky), I’d be glad to. Really… if I can be of help to someone else going through the decision-making or the post-treatment process, I would be VERY happy to do so.

For the short time I’ve been watching the discussions here, this group has already helped me.

I wish the best to all of you in your treatments and enjoying the life you have.

Idaho
Posted 8/9/2007 8:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi   ~ Idaho Survivor & Loved Ones,   Caring Enough to Share…..     A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!        This is truly a great forum!!! ~ “You” have joined! You are now part of our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey .       Thank you for joining all of us on this road to HealingWell …..   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear   Keeping you Extra Close in our thoughts and prayers. In New…Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You”  It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You"   ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your   way   (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :)  
Posted 8/9/2007 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
 Hi ~ Idaho, We are thrilled you joined us... A perfect title and posting for all of us to get to know you! Thank you for signing up to walk with Newbies who are just beginning to start their journey and for the rest of us... as we all continue to move forward. The Helpful Hints link located in the 2nd locked thread at the top on the prostate main page will help guide you to getting your signature down for us (this is really helpful to all of us) and how to set your e-mail for members only...  We will tuck you close now.... and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 8/9/2007 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, bluebird.

What a nice welcome!

I am already impressed by the frank discussion of the members in this forum and by the informational threads you have provided.

I wish you all the best as well.

Idaho (newbie) Survivor
Posted 8/9/2007 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Idaho, congrats on a successful surgery.  Glad it went "text-book" and that your recovery is going well.

Share the word with others you know and meet.  Get your friends to see their doctor and get tested.

Posted 8/10/2007 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
    Hi ~ Idaho…   Your message back to us is truly heartfelt!!!   Our way of giving back is to try to make things as easy as possible…. for those who are just coming on board with not knowing where to turn…   Your acknowledgement is very much appreciated!!!   Over the past 15 months ~ HealingWell ….. has become part of our daily lives.   Living each day to the fullest and extending the Hands of Friendship to Newbies and having their hands reach back (Thank you!!)    is truly the most precious of gifts.     HealingWell   has grown tremendously over the past year ~ and it is all due to the closeness that we all share .   It is a place that we can come to ~ knowing that we can discuss “anything” from Good, Bad, and/or Ugly.     We Are Not Alone   …and it’s because   ~ “All of Us”… are sharing from the heart…. Our experiences are helping others… as they step onto the 1 st stepping-stone in their journey with prostate cancer.     Thank you ~ for Caring Enough to Share!!!!   It’s a wonderful gift. Keeping you close as you continue to move forward….   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 8/10/2007 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Idaho. Sounds like things are going very well for you! You've got the surgery behind you, the news so far has been good and you're feeling well. That's a great start. You've chosen a terrific place for support and understanding. I had my surgery two months ago. Things went well for me, too. There have been a couple of bumps in the road and this forum has been a life saver at times. You can express your fears, tears, even anger -- no one will judge. We've all been there! I became real frustrated at one point, and a HW member shared some information that really helped calm me down. I talked to my urology team the next day, told them what I'd learned here, and they agreed completely. Had it not been for the forum, I never would have even known what to ask! Stay in touch. We're all survivors!
Posted 8/10/2007 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi puget,

Thank you kindly for the welcome.

What a great support group! I've been on other forums, but this has the most activity and a great group of members.

Also, bluebird always has something uplifting and comforting to say.

I feel welcome, and as you mentioned, "safe" here.

Idaho
Posted 8/10/2007 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi IdahoSurvivor,

Welcome! We're so glad you joined the forum.

A.
Posted 8/10/2007 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks AEG,

Glad to be here!

Status update:

Day 10 following Da Vinci laparoscopic surgery.

No real pain.

Urinary continence improving through Kegel exercises. Bedtime continence is no problem. Every couple of days, I notice a gradual improvement in sitting/standing continence.

For me, Kegels seem to be helping.

Idaho
Posted 8/11/2007 1:51 AM (GMT 0)

Hi There Idaho,

We have similar experiences.  My PSA was the same as yours and I had 1 of 10 biopsy samples that was 40% cancer.  I had my Da Vinci on 11/1/2006 and my post op path was very good.  My Da Vinci experience was very good and I am totally happy with my choise of treatment.  I look forward to your participation on the forum.

Tamu

Posted 8/11/2007 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tamu,

Thank you for the nice reply. It is great to have several kindred spirits here with whom I may compare notes.

I have learned a lot thus far on my journey.

All the best to you.

Idaho
Posted 8/11/2007 4:08 AM (GMT 0)

Idaho:

Welcome to the forum - hope all continues to go well, but if any questions occur, this is the place to be.

Dutch

Posted 8/12/2007 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Idaho,

Sounds like you're doing just fine. I had the DaVinci procedure for the same reasons. Just one small warning however; sometimes you can heal to quickly, and be tempted to do too much (like lifting something heavy). DON'T DO IT! The penalties are severe. Otherwise good luck, and hopefully a speedy uneventful recovery.

Glen
Posted 8/12/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Glen,

Thanks for the good advice. I do get tempted to lift more than I should.

I went to the grocery store tonight to get some fruit, veggies, and milk and grabbed the small plastic basket with handles. This is my standard mode of operation when I'm shopping for a few items. After my third or fourth bag of veggies and fruit, I realized that I'd soon be over the 15-20 lb limit set by my doctor. nono

So I had to go back and get a cart with wheels :-)

All the best to you as well, Glen.

Idaho
Posted 8/12/2007 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Idaho,
Listen to Glen....I didn't. I broke all the rules and lucked out. My friends here yelled at me for hiking the trails at Zion National Park within a month after surgery. In fact I went there 8 times now since I had surgery in Feb.

PS I'm pretty sure Glen was on the cool it down list as well as most of the veterans here. It's good my continence was under control because I was p.i.s.s.i.n.g vinegar. LOL


Good job on your recovery! Standard mode includes a fast recovery but don't over do it.

Tony
Posted 8/12/2007 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tony,

Thanks for the added advice. I haven't been camping in Zion National Park for years. I bet it is still a pretty place! When I used to go there as a teenager from my home in So. California, we would find caves with colored sand and fill a small jar with a few layers. It was pretty cool.

I am really surprised how good I'm feeling. My wife is keeping her hand on my leash to jerk it back when needed. So I can't stray too far without some coaching. LOL

I promise I'll keep my enthusiasm in check.

Idaho
Posted 8/12/2007 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Idaho. Great news for you. I too have had trouble overdoing it because I felt so good. I could not believe how pain free open surgery was after all the horror stories I heard from people and other doctors. I had a radiation oncologist warn me to not let them fillet you. I might have been cut open wide and deep but it was almost pain free. Good luck and keep the faith.

Mika-mvesr
Posted 8/13/2007 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Mika,

I'm so glad you had such a good experience with open surgery with the doctor and hospital staff.  That's the way my prior urologist does it and he's very happy with the procedure.

If you don't mind, how long ago did you have the surgery and how are you doing?

Respectfully,

Idaho

Posted 8/14/2007 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Idaho,

What part of Idaho are you in? I'm in Spokane. You can hit my email by clicking on the email logo to the left. Hope to hear from you...

Jim
Posted 8/14/2007 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim,

Mail is on the way. Thanks!

Idaho
Posted 8/14/2007 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Idaho. Sorry i missed you request. I had open surgery on May 30 of this year. It was a breeze. Stayed two days in the hospital. Had the cath for two weeks. My pathology was great with clear margins. I have had trouble with leaking but I feel like it is slowly getting better, because I am down to one large pad a day. I feel very good but run out of steam about 3:00PM every day. No pain meds since leaving the hospital. The ED thing is still there. I go for my first post op PSA in September. All is well with me and hope it is with you.

Mika-mvesr
Posted 8/15/2007 12:03 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Mika,

Thanks for the update.   I really appreciate knowing your experience.

Many of us are blessed to have wonderful surgeons who proceed as they feel best to help our situation.  It sounds like you had a great outcome.

My only difference in the experience is that my cath was out in one week, otherwise the pain progress was similar.

I go back to work next week, and I'll let you know at what time of day I run out of steam as well :-)

Keep up the great progress.

Best to you,

Idaho

Posted 8/27/2007 1:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hi All,

Just an update on my journey.  

I am 27 days out of surgery.  Since I got out of the hospital (24 hours later) I have been improving each day.  Got the catheter out in one week after surgery (felt great to get it out!).

Pain was hardly anything to speak of, all along.  I had some blood streaks in the urine for the last two weeks that has almost completely cleared up.   Went back to work 20 days after surgery.

Incontinence is improving each day with Kegels, where I feel I can get by with 1-2 pads per day. 

I am getting back to my normal exercise routine which is to work back up to walking 5 miles per day. 

My spirits are high, thanks to all the feedback from this forum.

I will have my first PSA test September 11th with the results on September 18th.

Thank you for your support.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you!  :-)

Idaho

Posted 8/27/2007 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Idaho,

It's good to hear your recovery is going so well. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you on the September PSA test. I go for my 5th PSA (18 months) tomorrow, and I'll get the results while I'm there. I still get worried though.

Glen
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