Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Less than two months after surgery
I thought I was recovering well until I contracted Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
I was first diagnosed with Swine Flu and treated with antibiotics for five days
until my GP (General Practitioner) informed me that a swab taken from throat had shown positive for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
I had ten days of full-on Anti-Biotics and recovery was initially quick but eventually slow paced.

I think the drugs just killed off everything and so I was very susceptible to any flu bug flying around.

Then I developed SHINGLES
Holy crap - it was awful…
Fortunately my amazing GP diagnosed it within three days of the initial rash appearing
and treated me with antibiotics.
But the pain in my back and front rib cage was excruciating.

I am currently trying to get some rest and at the same time build up my strength again
Walking is good but I really need to do more aerobic exercise
and I'm a lazy sod really.
I only ever exercised when I had a ball at my feet
But my girlfriend and I have just joined a racquetball club so that may be a solution for me.

INCONTINENCE:
I have been very fortunate.
I was able to do all the post-surgery kegel exercises they suggested for the fifth week, BEFORE my surgery
and I think that helped tremendously.
I still have a leakage problem if I get drunk at a party
so I wear a pad if I think I'm off out for a good time.
I also wear a pad when I'm traveling long distances
but that is merely precautionary and I have never yet been caught - short
as it were.
So lucky me, so far.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION:
Thirteen months after surgery and I can get a reasonable erection without drugs
I still find that my penis head is not as bulbous as it once was
but I'm hoping that will return
I am using a vacuum pump to help improve that
( I highly recommend using a good Vacuum Pump to stimulate the blood vessels
this was not something that my urologist stressed but I think it's essential and better than the drugs option)
I have used Levitra, Cialas and Viagra and whilst they all worked
I never seemed to regain a natural "hard-on" sensation,
the sensitivity just wasn't there with the drugs.
I am uncircumcised so I have always had a very sensitive penis head
and I just don't seem to have regained that sensitivity - yet!
So sex, both oral and penetrative, are just not as satisfying as before surgery,
but I have my fingers crossed that given more time, and pump action,
I'll regain that fantastic feeling again.
I'm certainly optimistic. I just keep telling my girlfriend I need more practice, haha…

So life after surgery is getting better everyday
I have certainly had some very distressing and depressing days
but generally feel optimistic about the future.
My recent PSA score was zero so I have another six months of not worrying ahead.

I hope my story is of benefit to at least one other fellow cancer patient.

Good luck to everyone out there.
Brian.


Age: 55 (53 at diagnosis - June, 2009)
PSA: 10.6
Biopsy tested positive: Gleeson 3+4
Surgery: DaVinci Robotic prostatectomy (31st July 2009)
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
Dr. Robert Nadler, Urologist/Surgeon
Textbook procedure.
Catheter: Removed after 10 days.
Incontinence: Currently, no. (Slight leakage for three days after Catheter removal. Wore pads for physcological boost).
ED: Currently drug free. One year on and getting much better. Vacuum pump helped tremendously.
PSA: 0.1 (25th August 2009) Currently Zero (July 2010)

Thanks Steve,

It does seem that a snowball effect can occur once one starts to visit hospitals and doctor's surgeries.

I had been relatively free from ailments until I was diagnosed with PCa.

I do hope your friend is able to keep the weight off during her recovery.

Once again, despite the pain, I may have got off lightly when my bout of shingles was diagnosed early!


Age: 55 (53 at diagnosis - June, 2009)
PSA: 10.6
Biopsy tested positive: Gleeson 3+4
Surgery: DaVinci Robotic prostatectomy (31st July 2009)
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
Dr. Robert Nadler, Urologist/Surgeon
Textbook procedure.
Catheter: Removed after 10 days.
Incontinence: Currently, no. (Slight leakage for three days after Catheter removal. Wore pads for physcological boost).
ED: Currently drug free. One year on and getting much better. Vacuum pump helped tremendously.
PSA: 0.1 (25th August 2009) Currently Zero (July 2010)