new member

Thanks for having found this site. I've been lurking at this site since I was discharged from the hospital after RRP but it's only now that I registered. I've seen that there's quite a few "squids" out there. I just retired in Sep 2007 after over 23 years of service. To let everyone know what my condition was just take a look at my signature. Besides from the ultra sound, I did talk also to a radiation oncologist but he did not recommend radiation. Also, I talked to a urulogist at the VA Livermore back in early Sep (that's after my PSA jumped to about 7) and he wanted me to have RRP at the VA Palo Alto. The urulogist that saw me at UCSF recommended either robotic or open surgery. I came up with RRP here locally which was done on Dec 4. Stayed 4 nights at the hospital. Judging from what I've read here in the forum, I could say that I am above average so far with regards to incontinence. Three weeks after catheter removal I am now using one male guard within 24 hrs just to catch the "dribble". The only thing is, I go to the bathroom more frequently. At night I am pretty much dry. I don't know if doing the Kegel exercises helped, but it feels like it. I have read also that there is not much difference between those who are doing and not doing this exercises. Thanks God my first post PSA was <.05. The other side effect (ED), well it will just have to take care by itself. My Dr did not recommend any pills or pump yet, but he told me that He will see during my next appointment which is in two months along with the second PSA check. Well, cancer free will definitely overides the side effects. By the way, I went back to work this morning after 7 weeks of med leave. Again thanks for all this nice forum. A lot of good information in here.

Welcome to open discussion on PCa from all walks-all choices-all points of view, that is the plus side of an open PCa forum, it might get controversial at times, that actually reflects the way PCa actually is. Exceptions on anything to do with PCa, is bascially the norm. If folks have disagreement we hopefully keep it civil and don't make it a personal thing, we are all looking for great results.


Other lurkers jump in, there are no dumb questions on serious matters.

Good morning and welcome ARPEE, from reading your post and stats, looks like you are doing well with your recovery. Congrats on that big zero, hope you see a lifetime of them. You already know this is a great place to be. My father was a 30 year Navy vet from WW2 till bout 1967, mostly attache duty to US Embassy's. I did my navy time during Nam with VP-17 duty and DEG-6.

David

ARPEE:

Stand by, I'm coming alongside. Retired Pork Chop here, O6 with 26 years. Full disclosure: 10 years active duty, 13 years drilling reservist, 3 years IRR. I was mostly an East Coast tin can sailor, and did one Reserve tour with the Seabees.

Yeah, I think there is a Navycorpsman on this board somewhere, and other assorted deck apes, knuckle draggers, snipes, and spooks. PCa is an equal opportunity parasite.

Good luck with the dangling shot line there. I'm about half way back and working on more. It is interesting how different doctors tell you different things. I think we've had some guys on this board get started on Viagra (or whatever) about a week or two out of the hospital.

Fair winds and following seas,
kcragman