After having a dream about my prostate I've asked my GP about testing for prostate
cancer.
I
was told at 41 (and with no family history of prostate problems)I was still too
young for DRE, but was offered PSA test next time I did a blood test.
Few
weeks later decided to check my cholesterol level and my PSA came back at 8.1
ng/ml. DRE was performed and detected prostate enlargement.
I
was refered to urologist, another DRE was performed and antibiotics prescribed.
Two
weeks later PSA gone up to 9.1 ng/ml, so biopsy was performed. On the 6th of october
2006 I was informed that I have prostate cancer.
Currently waiting for robotic
prostatectomy due on 21st November.
I
had my surgery on 21st November 2006 as planned at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne,
Victoria. By Prof. A. Costello. Surgery went well & lasted just over 3 hours.
Recovered
pretty good, but few hours later had quite severe bladder spasm. Painkillers were
administered, but they made me very nauseous for the next 12 hours. Following
day I felt much better, eating & walking without much problem. I was discharged
from hospital on 23rd November and after spending one night in a hotel in Melbourne
flew back home following day.
Surprisingly
I had very little discomfort with catheter which was removed on 29th November.
Over the next couple of days I had very little control over my bladder during
the day, but stayed completely dry at night. Very quickly I regain the control
& have been down to one pad a day for the past 10 days.
Found
a fair bit of the blood in my urine about 10 days after surgery, but was informed
it was quite normal and most likely caused by blood clots being expelled from
my body. It has settled very quickly, within next few hours.
The
wounds have healed very quickly, very little pain or discomfort, probably helped
by occasional Panadol or Voltaren.
As
far as erections go it is still very quiet, but I have managed to have a successful
intercourse 18 days after surgery. Overall I am extremely happy with my progress.
I believe it is due to skill of my surgeon, few weeks of Kegels & Chinese herbs
/acupuncture prior to surgery.
As
an added bonus, after the biopsy of prostate, my Gleeson score was downgraded
from 4+3=7 to 3+4=7 and staging from T2b to T2a.
Since
December 2006 my recovery was proceeding very well. My first PSA test after surgery
was <0.05. Huge relief. About two months after surgery I was pads free. I probably
could've stop using them earlier, but did not have the confidence at the time.
The
erections improved as well. I was using a pump for a few weeks, but found it bit
cumbersome. I've also used Cialis and Levitra (supplied for free by my doctor
in "sample packs") . Biggest help came from my wife, who was extremely understanding
& supportive. I think I was very self conscious in the early days. Once I've overcome
this, things returned to "normal" very quickly.
In February I had my second
PSA test - <0.01.! I'd also noticed my urine flow started to decrease quite suddenly
day by day. I contacted my urologist and two days later I had cystoscopy. Apparently
I was healing "too well" and the scar tissue started closing my urethra. I was
nearly fully blocked.
The procedure took 45 minutes. I was home two days
later. Had to wear catheter for the next seven days. This was little bit more
uncomfortable then catheter after initial surgery. After catheter was removed
things returned to normal very quickly. The procedure did not seem to impact on
continence at all. I was told that it was likely I might undergo this procedure
in the future. What joy Next few months very pretty uneventful, until May.
My
urine flow started to decrease yet again. After consultation with my urologist
it was decided I needed another cystoscopy, this time bit more aggressive.
As
before, I was home 2 days later. This time catheter was even more uncomfortable.
I've also had more blood in my urine. Five days later my catheter appeared to
have blocked due to the blood clot. Back to hospital, where it was removed. After
overnight stay I went home without any problems. I wore pads for a couple of days,
"just in case", but realized I didn't need them at all. I guess doing plenty of
Kegel exercises was paying its dividends.
My following PSA tests (in May
& August) came under 0.01 again.
In August I've underwent an inguinal
hernia surgery on left side of my groin. I was warned that my happen. Apparently
if you are prone to getting hernia robotic prostatectomy might accelerate this
happening.
Since then everything has been going really well. My last (December
2007) PSA reading was under 0.01.
Arek's
e-mail address is: flyeroz@gmail.com
Arek
Daniel
and Renata live in New South Wales, Australia. He was 41 when he was diagnosed
on October 6, 2006. His initial PSA was 8.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and
he was staged T2b. His choice of treatment was robotic prostatectomy. Here is
his story: