New Member - My Story - Part 1

I have been reading this forum since I was diagnosed in 12/18 and have finally decided to join and share my story. I went for my annual physical in April of 2017 and at that time my PSA was 4.29. My PCP suggested we check again in October, and then my PSA was 4.92.
I want to say my wife has gone to every appointment with me, including my biopsy. This has been invaluable to me
Our first visit to the Urologist resulted in him finding a nodule on my right side, and he scheduled me for a biopsy. The biopsy was practically painless but unfortunately revealed I had PCa (G4+3). I had a NM Bone Scan and Pelvic CT and they were both clear.
After reviewing our options we decided to have RALP. My surgeon had done over 2,000, and we felt very confident of a successful outcome.
Surgery was 2/15/18, and I was walking a mile in the hospital that night. I was discharged the next day, and only took Tylenol at night for pain and to help sleep. The catheter never really bothered me, and by the 3rd day we were walking about 2 miles a day. The catheter was removed in 6 days, and I was continent about 2 weeks later. My left nerve was completely spared, along with part of my right nerve and I do have partial ED. With my dear wife's help, I can achieve about 55% - 65% erection, and I can orgasm. We are still working on this..
At our followup visit, my Urologist revealed my cancer was worse than we thought. I had G9 (4+5) Pt3A N0, but a suspicious are near the bladder neck.
I had my first post RALP PSA test in late May, and unfortunately it was 0.07. Our Urologist strongly suggested we see an RO for followup. Needless to say we were somewhat depressed, but our Urologist thought with the right treatment we could have a positive outcome.

My wife and I both felt it was important for me to be physically fit before the surgery. Before the surgery we were walking 3 - 4 miles a day. I started doing 100 bent knee sit-ups, and I also worked out on our home gym 3 or 4 days a week. At the time of surgery, I weighed 164 and I am 5" - 11" tall. We resumed our walking as soon as we could after surgery, and I also went back to working out about 8 weeks after surgery.
I will continue my story in Part 2.

pleased to meet you, and welcome to the group

you have the full spectrum of other treatments ahead when neede

good luck and my best to you

Welcome to HW!

I see you figured out the signature, that is our shortcut for critical details.

Hope we will see you at a GFMPH soon! I'm at one now!

Your story sounds a lot like mine, I'm also a G 4+5, and did surgery with ART a few months later. And here I am, still around after 9 years (ok, a few days less, my Surgery was October).

Welcome to Healingwell. Fantastic meeting you at GFMPH.

I'm so glad you took the risk and came to GFMPH.

I hope you enjoyed the great company, food, fireworks... etc.

We'll see you next year.
Jeff

Hey CaptainG, it was great to meet you at GFMPH! We have quite a bit in common. I'm glad we had a chance to talk, and it sounds like you're on the right path and doing well. Carry on, Cap!

Here's a link to the G9 Crew thread. I put you on it, under the 4+5 group. It's sorted by the diagnosis date. Feel free to update there too, to educate future G9 folks.

The Gleason 9 (and 10) Crew - Welcome and how ya doin'? (Part 3, continued thread)

oops...belay that Capt...I found it...