I
am the tenth child of ten and the youngest of six boys. My father was diagnosed
with prostate cancer in 1973 when he was 63. Since then an older brother had prostate
cancer surgery in 1984 at age 42 and January 2003 another brother age 56 had seed
therapy for prostate cancer.
My PSA went from 1.7 ng/ml to 2.5 ng/ml, so my family doctor sent me to a specialist.
Digital examamination had spot on left side of prostate that he could feel. A
biopsy showed cancer in the left side and right side starting to change, so my
doctor suggested surgery.
On
December 31st 2003 I had the operation and things went right down the toilet from
there. I leaked severely around the catheter and so on January 14th 2004 I had
to go back in to repair the bladder connection and had a catheter in for 34 days.
I then leaked into pads for 6 months and had a male sling to help the leaking.
In July it slowed the flow about 80% but it's still a pain to deal with. I soaked
10 to 12 pads a day and now only 2 to 3 depending on my activity. Hint: if you
have to wear pads, get your briefs small. I'm a 34" waist I wear a 30" brief.
It stops the privates from getting rubbed raw.
My PSA last June was 0.1 ng/ml and I'm confident that the cancer is gone. My sexual
function is just now coming around with the aid of pills.
I
have still had moderate incontinence since last I updated. The screws in the sling
feel like two of them are backing out of my bones in the pelvic area. The sling
is leaking more during less stressful activity.
I
have scheduled an appointment with another doctor in the area as a consult and
to get a second opinion. In part I do not like the options I have and want to
check for any others.
The
sling was not working to stop the incontinence so after speaking with a doctor
I decided to remove the sling, let my body heal and have the artificial sphincter
put in this Fall, October or November.
Had
the artaficial sphincter put in Oct. 2005. They did a double cuff to try to stop
the leaking. I still leak a little. One to two pads a day. But found out from
the customer relations lady at AMS( the makers of the Sphincter) that about 80
to 90% still have to wear a pad after the surgery. Just a side note. Your erection
will be shorter after the sphincter is installed.
I
feel good, no sign of cancer. I realize that my surgery is not the normal and
I hope that no one else ever has to go through what I have.
Feel
free to write my if you have any questions or comments.
Have
been to the doctors last month. cancer is gone. feel good with no signs of reacuring
cancer. Bladder still leakes even with the artificial sphincter. Of cource it's
better than filling 12 to 13 pads or depends underware a day.
I
had my check up in the last week in September 2008 and all is well with my PSA
0,4 or less, I have realized that it fluctuates from 0.1 to 0.6 and think it may
just be the testing process and how the tech reads it. I really do not have any
concerns about it coming back.
I
still leak doing work and sports and even sitting around but have accepted it
and pray that it will heal some day soon. Would love to open the sphincter and
never have to pump it again and be dire.
Last
December 31 I passed my five year mark and celebrated by doing a professional
Fireworks show and firing off the shells and celebrating with friends.
My
advice to new people is to first take several deep breathes before you make any
decision and look closely at doctor, years of experience and if he has changed
the way he does his procedure and do not be afraid to talk to a lot of other doctors
in your State and other States.
Just
remember that they are there to get paid for doing what they went to school for
and make money so if you are in doubt, look and keep looking until you feel totally
comfortable about it. Regret is so forever lasting if done by some one that messes
you up and it till take you from healing as fast and dealing with what you need
to heal mentally and emotionally. .
Steven's
e-mail address is: millss_54@yahoo.com
Steven
Mills lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He was 49 when he was diagnosed in September
2003. His initial PSA was 2.5 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 3+3=6. He was staged
T2 and his initial choice was Surgery. Here is his story: