Ken
Hancock and Joelie
live in South Australia. Ken was 64 when he was diagnosed on March 8 2005. His
Initial PSA was 10.9 ng/ml nd his Gleason Score was 3+3=6. Although he records
that he was told that his Staging was T1/T2, in fact from what he says, it should
have been T1c. The treatment he decided on was Robotic (da Vinci) radical prostatectomy.
Here is his story:
I had been avoiding checking my PSA because I thought
there was no family history of prostate cancer and that PSA scores were ambiguous.
However, in August 2004 my older brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer and
I decided I should check up.
I was tested in September 2004 and was surprised
and disappointed that my psa was 10.9 ng/ml. As this was my first PSA I decided
to check again in a few months. My second score was 10.0 ng/ml, so I thought I
should proceed to a biopsy. It took three months to get an appointment with my
preferred urologist and had a biopsy towards the end of February 2005.
The
biopsy result was that 2 of the 8 samples were positve in both the left and right
middle of the prostate. The gleason score was 3+3=6 and the urologist thought
the stage would be T1 or T2*. My prostate was enlarged
but was not creating urinating problems.
The urologist was keen to discuss
issues with both me and my wife and we appreciated his skill and willingness to
cover all matters of importance from both of our perspectives. Prior to this appointment
my wife and I attended a session where my urologist was the speaker, and we were
able to view a video of him performing a radical prostatectomy using newly acquired
da Vinci robotic equipment. I was most impressed with the operation even though
there were still incontinence and impotence issues.
I had a bone scan that
indicated no spread of the cancer and decided to go ahead with the operation.
The earliest date was June 16 2005.
On April 20 I saw an incontinence physiotherapist
and was given very good training in pelvic floor exercises. She emphasised not
just doing the squeezing, but pairing it with a variety of actions (eg coughing,
sneezing, getting out of a chair, walking, playing tennis etc.) so that thinking
and acting became automatic.
Although I realised that the operation is
one of percentages, I had complete confidence in Dr Peter Sutherland. I think
I was about the 60th person on whom he had used the robot.
The operation
on June 16 was successful and met all the expectations I had from my reading -
very little blood loss, bearable pain afterwards, 2 days in hospital, 6 days with
a catheter, no medication needed after leaving hospital. When the catheter was
removed, I experienced little leakage, wore a pad for confidence for 2 months
and then no incontinence.
I gradually increased my activity at home for
the first 2 weeks after the operation, then increased going out over the next
few weeks and was back playing tennis after 5 weeks. Two months after the operation
- apart from having an erection - life was back to normal and I was amazed!
I
do miss having an erection at this stage, but it is not the end of sexual activity.
Three weeks after the operation I was surprised that I could enjoy an orgasm with
all the usual sensations even though there was no erection and no ejaculation.
We are happy to continue with our new sexual activities and may gradually use
Cialis over the next year. My operation did include bilateral nerve sparing, so
I remain optimistic that an erection will return in the future.
My first
PSA test after the operation was on July 28 with a score of 0.05 ng/ml. which
is acceptable. My second PSA was on October 26 and the score was 0.03 ng/ml. At
this stage I feel life is on track and prostate cancer is not a central part of
it.
I have written my experience because I found it useful to read individuals'
experiences alongside research statistics. So thanks to all who have contributed
to this site.
I
am very thankful that my life post-op is excellent. All aspects of my life - except
for having an erection - are as good, if not better, than before the operation.
On
the stats side, I have had PSA tests in March and October 2006, with both scores
undetectable. So I hope this will continue. My next one is April 2007.
Regarding
having no erection, I need to emphasise that for both my wife and myself, this
has not been a significant change. Even though we were sexually quite active with
intercourse before the operation, we have been able to replace this with other
forms of sexual and sensual intimacies. In fact our current situation is at least
as satisfying as before the op - maybe better! Supporting this is a continually
growing and strengthening relationship, which does amaze us a little at our age.
My
urologist, who is very open and supportive, has given me a good supply of Levitra
and Cialis to see if any change occurs with this aid. At this stage the positive
effect is small given what I've said above. My urologist has also suggested having
penile injections for a "kickstart", but again the benefit doesn't seem worth
the effort given our adjustment to life without full erections. Of course it still
may happen, but it is not a major issue.
Another
addition to my life is doing some voluntary work at the Cancer Care Centre at
Unley, South Australia. The centre provides complementary support and I enjoy
keeping up to date with reading on various health issues. I also attend a Men's
Support Group run by the centre. I find sharing with other men, who have a variety
of cancers, both humbling and inspiring.
I
feel fortunate to be able to report on such a positive time in my life.
Time
has flown since my last report. I think that is because life is so good.
All
of the points in my January 2007 update still apply. All of my PSA tests have
been "undetectable" and my health is excellent. I am not pursuing any new ways
to attempt to regain an erection - mostly because our sexual life is mutually
satisfying without penetration - and I don't feel any less of a man! I continue
to contribute my time to the Cancer Care Centre by assisting with the counselling
and the running of a men's support group.
I
became a grandparent for the first time 6 months ago and I am delighted to be
in good shape to share in this new life.
Ken's
e-mail address is: joelieh@ozemail.com.au
FOOT
NOTE: FOR AN EXPLANATION OF STAGING (AND WHY IT IS SAID THAT KEN'S STAGING SHOULD
HAVE BEEN T1c) GO TO STAGES OF PROSTATE CANCER
