YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Marty D and Katie live in New Jersey, USA. He was 50 when he was diagnosed on July 21, 2008. His initial PSA was 11.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4=7 and although he does not state his staging it seems he would have been staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Laparoscopic robotic surgery. Here is his story.

Age 50, white. High PSA (7.0 ) at yearly family doctor check up in Jan 2008. I felt I was in good health, non smoker, active, but 15lbs above ideal weight. Some urinary urgency during the day, maybe one interruption of sleep. Follow up at urologist in May 2008, he recommended Free PSA test, result 5 [The free PSA result is usually expressed as a percentage of the total PSA or, more infrequently as a ratio to the total PSA - see PSA 101 for more information. It is not clear from what Marty has written what his result was.]. DRE unremarkable.

Next step was biopsy, highly invasive and uncomfortable, side effects (blood in semen, some uncomfortable urination.) 12 cores, 3+3's and 3+4's, 60% involvement. Online research showed my urologist to using up to date recommended test procedures. Bone scan July 28, 08, no evidence of spread.

Da Vinci Robotic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia Pa, September 22, 2008. I was told successful complete removal with some additional lymph node tissue also removed. No evidence of further involvement. I can't say enough good things about the Fox Chase facility, and people, kindness, attention, and professionalism were always evident.

First day after surgery was difficult, incision pain, catheter discomfort and my bowels felt as if they were tied in knots. Fourth day after surgery, I have had my first bowel movement, little incision pain, but swollen testicles and some catheter discomfort. I am using some bacitracin on the penis tip to clean up the brown crust that forms there and I am still very nervous about accidentally dislodging the catheter.

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

Experienced severe pain, cramps one week after catheter removal, Flomax prescribed, helped a lot. I was still had pink urine and clots twenty five days after surgery was told not to worry. Ten weeks to return to work.

Took about eight months to reach the point where I no longer needed continence pads. Last PSA was 1 December 10, 2008, was only told it was less than 1.0 ng/ml. I am way overdue for another test.

Be very sure you need surgery and are ready for the permanent changes that follow. My erections are about 30% of pre surgery and experience has changed, not nearly as rewarding. As many others here have said, you can't trust a laugh or a fart ever again. I attribute some weight gain, depression, and loss of energy to the surgery. Actual biopsy of my prostate had Gleason numbers no higher than 3+3.

 

UPDATED

March 2010

 

 

February 1, 2010 Total PSA less than 0.10 ng/ml.

Marty D.

Marty's e-mail address is: hevysrf@hotmail.com