YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Gene B and Erin live in North Carolina, USA . He was 50 when he was diagnosed on November 8, 2007. His initial PSA was 6.3 ng/ml, his Gleason Score 3+4=7 was and he was staged T2a. His choice of treatment was Da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy. Here is his story.

October 11, 2007: Annual Physical Routine blood work showed elevated PSA (5.8)

October 18, 2007: Follow up with Primary Care doctor - 2nd blood test and digital rectal performed. Digital Rectal reveals slightly enlarged prostate with a small palpable mass on right side. Referred to Urology Specialist

October 24, 2007: Urologist concurs he feels "a hardening" on right side of prostate. Lab results on second blood test confirm elevated PSA . BPSA: 6.3 Free PSA: 11% Digital Rectal: Positive

October 30, 2007: TRUS Biopsy performed - 12 core taken for analysis

November 8, 2007 : Diagnosis - prostate cancer ; 1 core positive: 50% involvement; 1 core: Benign Fibermuscular Stoma; 10 cores: Normal Gleason: 3+4 =7 Clinical Staging: T2a

December 31, 2007: DaVinci robotic performed on my 51st birthday. Surgery took just under three hours, less than 3 tablespoons of blood were lost, both nerve bundles spared, and bladder neck reattached and sealed.

January 1, 2008: Discharged from hospital. No pain meds needed

January 7, 2008: Catheter removed. Post-op pathology report: GS 3+4 =7 (unchanged)
Pathological staging: changed from T2a to T2b (small cancerous area on the left lobe (less than 10% involvement) Surgical margins are clear and cancer appears contained

January 14, 2008: follow up with surgeon. All well. Still experiencing some urinary leakage. Told to continue Kegels

January 28, 2008: Blood drawn for first post-op PSA reading Viagra prescribed with instructions to begin 50mg every other day. Urinary leakage is improving. Sitting on slightly inflated inner tube to keep pressure off area. Seems to be assisting. I'll update once PSA results are in.

 

UPDATED

April 2008

 

 

1st Post Op PSA was undetectable - yippee

We are now entering 3rd month post op and have had no continence issues for about a month now.

Sexually, Gene can have what feels like a "normal orgasm" however he misses his semen. Gene is currently taking 100mg Viagra daily (we ordered generic through All Day Chemist because our insurance only covers a few pills per month). Gene sees no difference between the two Viagras and is definitely cheaper.) He also uses a VED (Vacuum Erection Device) for penile exercise/blood circulation and of course, to aid in achieving an erection. The Viagra alone doesn't get him erect however his plumping has gone from 0% to about 40% in just a few weeks period. He is able to achieve an erection with the use of a VED but we are still playing with the rings for comfort and duration of erection. We recently were successful with penetration but Gene could not control his urine while penetrating, which caught us both a little off guard (not enough to stop our attempt at love making though) However, we are concerned because this urinary leakage has continued and we have no understanding as to what really happened that caused the incontinence relapse. We have decided to relax his daily penile rehab ritual and not use the VED until he regains urinary control. So it's back to daily Kegels and maxi-pads until we better understand what just occurred.

His 2nd Post Op PSA test is scheduled April 21, '08 and a follow up with surgeon to discuss ED issues on April 29, '08. We remain mentally positive despite this setback and we continue to pray for the strength and wisdom necessary to deal with all the intimacy issues PCa has delivered unto us.

Until our next update, keep kickin' it every chance you get and remember to share your wins and losses with others experiencing this journey as it helps light the way.

 

UPDATED

August 2008

 

 

Third Post Op PSA came back 0.00 so we are beginning to relax a little.

Began injection therapy in late April/early May and can't be more pleased with the results. Initially given 30mcgs of Tri-Mix at Doctor's office, but quickly realized dosage was too high. Advised to begin with 20mcg's at home. We are actually using only 10mcgs per injection with terrific results. We continue Viagra and pump therapies but use injection therapy for intercourse. Still anticipating return of full function, however can live with current results should spontaneous erections never return.

We are happy, healthy and once again sexually active. Thankful for Tri-Mix here in North Carolina.

 

UPDATED

August 2009

 

 

We see vast improvement with spontaneous erectile function returning, however we still use Viagra and the pump for penile therapy 3 x’s a week; and continue to use the tri-mix injections for intercourse (2-3 x’s a week).

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

We enjoyed a 0.00 PSA reading for 18 months after Da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy, however his 18 month blood test revealed PSA of .02

We spoke to doctor and asked for retesting at 45 days. That reading showed PSA of .01

The Doctor did his due diligence of explaining what he considers a reoccurrance / 3 consecutive rises in PSA and the PSA levels must be over .03 so with this said, we were left with that unsettled feeling to await his next blood test in 90 days.

December 29th blood drawn. December 30th nurse called to report no change from last PSA result - holding steady at .01. HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.....

December 31st- Gene's 53 birthday and his 2 year anniversary date of surgery. Doctor's office called and told him that the doctor reviewed his chart and that the report of .01 PSA given was an error. His PSA is 1.0 and we need to come in January 7th for appointment to discuss treatment options.

So much for the stats. Initial PSA of 6.3 at 50 years old. Positive DRE, Gleason 7(3+4), initially staged T2A (1 core positive out of 13 cores)- post surgical showed slightly more cancer than initially suspected -in both lobes however Gleason did not change, cancer appeared contained to sac and his margins were clear.

How did we end up back here? Pray for us.

Gene's e-mail address is ebunn@mi-connection.com