AT FIVE YEARS I don't think about it much anymore. I just had a PSA test, first in 2 years, and it was 0.0. I had a scare on the last test 2 years ago, but it was self-induced and the take home...
ONE YEAR AGO, MY STORY It’s Saturday, December 22. My last full day of normal life. On Monday I will go in for a robotic prostatectomy. Long time building, a couple of biopsies, uncomfortable months...
Upfront let me state that my problems are small compared to those faced by many here. Every day I thank G-d for my blessings, which have been plentiful. But it is a perversity of human nature that we...
I don't know if this will help you or increase your worries more. If you have a biopsy, you stand a good chance of finding something because a lot of men have a trace of cancer by this age. What is...
Purgatory (can I call you Purge for short?), What a wonderful update, considering the extra cath time! How much difference some time makes, and maybe there was a silver lining to the trial you went...
Jerry, I developed 2 lymphoceles after Da Vinci, and have made a couple of posts here if you search for them. As you may have been told, lymphoceles are rare (complication in something like 5% of...
I had lymphoceles appear a couple of weeks after surgery (a lymph fluid cavity from sampling lymph nodes) which caused a severe fever and fatigue collapse reaction, so they put in a drain, a small...
Just an update. After 31 days, the lymphocele drain came out today. An annoyance, a tube entering below your belly button, stitched into place, stiches aching and inflammed for awhile, changing the...
Scott, You indicated 'a good malpractice firm.'. Just make sure there as well, that YOU will come out of it well....
Thanks for the post Di. Sounds like you caught on earlier than I did. Glad you are fine. Zufus, I google anything and everything about what I am going through, and I read whatever studies I can find....
I've been doing exceptionally well post-robotic procedure. But a week after the catheter was pulled I was experiencing pain on urination and lower back pain. Got extreme, sleeping 12 hrs at a...
Sounds like strong 'objective evidence' (per my ISO auditor friend's way of thinking) that the root problem has been solved. It always is what it is, but high high hopes that catheter days will soon...
I'm on daily cialis for therapy, but I think this lower back pain thing is kicking my butt. Is this unique to cialis or does it happen with Viagra or levitra as well?...
Mustard was just my obscure phrase for what used to come out....
I've barely started, but I had a few questions about post-op sex life: (1) Does erection become separated from orgasm? Seems like I can have an erection, but that may fade and orgasm may come later....
I am a low 'T' guy too. Can anybody point to anything authoritative for or against the 'gasoline on a fire' assumption?...
My catheter was removed normally. The nurse deflated the internal bulb, then used a syringe like a funnel to put some saline solution into my bladder. Said "take two breaths and we'll take it out on...
Let me start by saying that I am one lucky guy, that what I am experiencing does not apply to everybody, and that I am replying to "How long before big 'O'" and ED timeline as well. First of all,...
Jon, I experienced a lot of discomfort after biopsies, but that was simple tissue abuse and it went away. Not connected to biopsy results. I second the moderators comments above about making a...
Had davinci 12/22. Got my catheter out and my pathology report today, just in time for the New Year. I chose surgery because the long term outcome seemed to be slightly better than brachytherapy, for...
Congratulations Dave! It's out, you're covered just in case, focus on the exquisite peace of this moment and recharging yourself....
about[b] halfway through my catheter days, and really really really looking forward to its removal, really. However, I have been surprised to learn that a catheter has so many other uses. Here’s my...
5:30 AM appt, out to the garage, had thrown one chain during yesterday's practice outing. Head between hands, but the show must go on. 20 miles of creeping along in the unfamiliar deep Seattle snow...
Just gathering scraps of info, I was tentatively planning on a combo of VED and pills post-op. Seems like VED might take the place of morning woodies and oxygenate the 'system'. Pills, well, pre-op,...
It's at least 15 years (like 90% still alive and kickin). The slight qualifier is because treatments are improving rapidly, and they haven't been able to follow men out for so many years afterwards...
Dear Tra, I also am facing the davinci in a week, and have thought about the outlooks and consequences a whole lot. It boils down to the essential points of bob above. Survive: most men with prostate...
Just reading your signature Montee. Hell of a gutsy call on your part. Looks like it is working out. Best to you this Season....
Thanks for all replies! Les and Dave, I don't really know why I posted what I did. I have been unusually lucky in having a lot of time to say 'goodbye' to the me on this side of the bridge, and I...
Thanks for positive replies. I always plan conservatively, which my wife calls pessimism, I call it prudent, but hey, potatoe potato. I am hoping for the best outcome, and all the odds are in my...
We've had a long leadup time, months, but surgery is approaching, 2 weeks off. Time to make love to my wife twice, maybe three times more, but definitely fingers of one hand. We can share this thing,...
As I count down to surgery, I noticed something I was doing. I'm staging out how I tell people that I'm having surgery. Wife total partnership. A couple of months ago, my boss, my wife our friends....
A quick caveat to this response regarding Dr. Catalona's web site and position on robotic procedures. If you were confused before, reading this reply may not help. If that is upsetting, best to skip...
I read it too, and the bottom line for me is experience of the surgeon. I believe that there are a number of surgeons out there jumping on the bandwagon (heck, I have driven by a medical building...
I'm getting closer to crossing the bridge. It weighs on my mind. I wanted to know if continence post-surgery gan be regained to 100%, like now, or should I expect 99.9%, like one post I saw. 99.9%...
1 month to go to da Vinci operation, can feel the tension ramping up. Anyhow, a perhaps silly question. I'm a desk jock. Currently I sit on a poor chair with a cushion which I purchased because my...
You guys are scaring me. I'm trying to figure out what my expectations should be. Seems like a crap shoot, how good your doctor is, what nerves are spared, how they rewire themselves, whether...
A long time ago (10+ yrs) I had low testosterone. At my lowest testosterone level, I was a neuter and I cried because of my lost sexuality. All the sexual 'hooks' of TV, of looking, of jokes,...
Thank you for all the replies. The short term advice (pads, prepping, first feelings) is much appreciated. The longer outlook, hearing more about realistic expectations for quality of life...
Have scheduled robotic prostatectomy for Xmas week, so a ways off. My category is almost watchful waiting, but just a bit over the line. Wife and I have increased our lovemaking, which has some...