Mike
M and Linda live in Illinois, USA. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on April 11,
2008. His initial PSA was 4.8 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and although he does
not state his staging it seems he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was
. Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy. Here is his story.
I had a blood work
done in mid-February to diagnose reasons for a separate problem I was having.
The results indicated a PSA of 4.8, not particularly high, but above the recommended
4.0 threshold.
I went in for a prostate biopsy in early April which showed
a Gleason Score of 6, Prostate Cancer. Anyone reading this, who has heard his
urologist regret, understands what mortality is. I'd always been quite stoic about
misfortunes in my life, but this was different. It was Cancer. Life might be unexpectedly
short.
I heard the doctors say that I was fortunate that it was discovered
early. All the literature said PCa is the most curable form of cancer. But in
the back of my mind I was afraid that it was still possible that I could be dead
in a few years if the cancer spread to the bones or to the lymphatic system.
I
hit the Internet to find out as much information as I could. Like you, I found
this site and reached out to the generous Mentors who sent me information and
lists of recommended surgeons. My own urologist recommended Dr
William Catalona, as did other survivors.
My first impulse was to
go Da Vinci, it being the least invasive. The surgeon I chose for my second opinion
had performed over 200 laparoscopic surgeries. Dr Catalona, my second-second opinion
surgeon, had performed over 5500 RRPs, the "gold standard" of treatments. I was
able to schedule surgery with Dr Catalona on June 11, 2008.
A side note
- the original problem I had gone in for required an EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
and colonoscopy, which I had scheduled for June 9. My original thought to have
both procedures done in that time span may have been short-sighted. I had to limit
my food intake and evacuate my bowels on June 8 and again on June 10. Next time(?)
I'll wait a week between procedures. Another consideration for any surgical procedure
requiring an overnight stay - Sleep Apnoea. If you have Sleep Apnoea, bring your
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to the hospital.
It's important
that you maintain a sense of humor, before and after your surgery. Quality of
life issues - continence and erectile function - are heady considerations. Guy
talk, admiring young lovelies, often involves the question "Would you?" I had
a friend respond to me "You'd better hurry then." That really made me laugh out
loud. Male bravado is on the table too. I explained to my friends that a prostatectomy
can result in shortening the penis by as much as a half an inch, and that would
bring me close to single digits.
Sorry for that diversion. My surgery took
place on a Wednesday, and required that the catheter remain for 11 days. That
took me to a Saturday removal, but doctors' offices are closed on weekends. I
recommend a surgery date which will result in the shortest time span of keeping
that catheter in place. The worst physical experience for me with the catheter
was my first bowel movement. Eventually I was able to train my body to move my
bowels with minimum discomfort, but I am grateful that I don't have that thing
attached to me anymore.
The day I was in for the de-cath procedure I didn't
eat or drink anything until afterward. I was able to return home two hours later
without an accident. I later drove to the local pharmacy to get some incontinence
aids, generic Guards for Men and Underpads to protect the mattress when I sleep.
For now all I have to concentrate on is learning to live without the bladder sphincter.
My
follow-up with Dr Catalona is in late July. I'll try to update this then.
I'm
going to get through this. And so are you.
Mike's e-mail address is : m.muschal@gmail.com
