So, it's my yearly post. I still stop in occasionally, but rarely post. I'm glad to see Compiler is still shaking things up with his irreverent sense of humor.
But I see less and less of ChrisR whom I've lost contact with, sadly. He is a wealth of info for young guys and an expert on what Hopkins, in particular, can do for us. If you can find his posts, you'll find them very helpful... and even calming, perhaps.
A bit of history... I was diagnosed at 41 in July of 2011, about
a month before my 42nd birthday and a week before my wife announced she was pregnant with our third child. The "I'm going to die!" thoughts were quickly replaced with, "I'm gonna die sometime and have to find some way to make sure three kids, 5 and under, are going to experience their father's wisdom, humor, and love."
I was diagnosed after a DRE from my GP and a resulting 3.6 PSA, up from a 2.7 a year earlier. Made a call to Hopkins to set up an appointment with a urologist there. Best thing I did. The diagnosis was confirmed by a DRE and then biopsy at Hopkins. Gleason 3 + 3. After some consultation, I decided on
open RP at Hopkins. I decided on surgery because of a simple comment made by the Radiologist that consulted with me and my surgeon/urologist. Basically, because of my age, he recommended surgery because a body can only withstand so much radiation, he said, and that I might want to conserve that for future need... if necessary for follow-up PCa treatment OR something far down the road not even on my radar. My surgeon said that I had time to make a decision, that either radiation or surgery would BE successful, but not to take a year deciding. I took a couple months and then had the procedure. I put my trust in him and the expertise of the professionals at Hopkins.
Surgery went off without a hitch. Recovery, after the Medieval torture device that is the CATHETER was removed, went smoothly. Engaged in the erectile therapy, minus meds for the most part because I didn't like the SE's... altho I did/do use them when performance is required. I have not had a failure in that regard with meds since surgery. I was not as anxious as some immediately after surgery to try out the hydraulics... I felt that I needed to fully heal, so it was probably a full two months before my wife and I "went for it."
I still don't like the meds for ED and have seen more and more improvement over the years. I've recently begun with regular morning erections again that are nearly as they were prior to surgery. The only issue for me is sustaining the erection. Meds fix this, w/o them it's 60/40 - 70/30 success... a bit frustrating, but when a job has to be done, a little blue pill makes sure it does, and the SE's only last a day or two. So I'll take that... and so will my wife.
It's now 4 years out. I've forgotten the anniversary 2 years in a row. Three kids, 8, 6, and 3.5 do that. My wife remembers and is somewhat amazed that I could forget. My urologist told me two years ago he didn't need to see me anymore, that I could just send the yearly PSA results and a note that I'm doing well. So that's what I do. He's a great guy and I trust his advice to forget that it ever happened as much as I can. Evidently, I'm pretty good at forgetting.
For all those who are young and newly diagnosed, gather yourself, let your intellect and that reasonable inner voice you have within you guide you thru what needs to be done. Remain calm after the initial period of "W-T-F!!!" "Good" Gleason, "bad" Gleason... doesn't matter. Gather yourself, find experts who you trust, and get the treatment that's right for you when it's right for you. Consult your male friends, without being pushy, to get DRE's and PSA's as much as they might not want to hear it.
HW is a great site. Lots of intel here. There's also a ton of people who think their treatment, based on their success, is the way to go and they will post and post and post- - - studies and studies and studies- - - to try to convince you one way or the other. The Radiation vs. RP and
open vs. Robotic arguments are legion AND heated AND hilarious if you are in the right frame of mind. Remember, there are no doctors here. Reading a study doesn't make you one. Rely upon the expertise of doctors not on internet wannabes.
Anyway, Merry Christmas. It's good to see so many familiar names still kicking up trouble around here AND providing a valuable service to people who need info and comfort. Cheers to another many years for everyone!
Post Edited (dude1969) : 12/24/2015 1:59:33 PM (GMT-7)