Tom
Thomas and Kate live in New Jersey USA. Tom was 54 when he was diagnosed on October
5, 2005. His initial PSA was 3.6 ng/ml, his initial Gleason Score was 7 and he
was staged T2. His treatment of choice was Laparascopic Surgery. Here is his story:.
During the past 2 years I had two blood tests due to a car accident in November
2003.
The
first test revealed a PSA of 2.4 ng/ml. The following test a year later showed
a PSA 3.6 ng/ml which my dpctor sent me to an urologist to examine further. PSA
was still low (3.6 ng/ml) when biopsy showed 5 out of 6 cores with cancer. Four
cores were scored as Gleason Score 6 and one was Gleason Score 7.
I
wanted to avoid the removal due to the nature of the operation and at first opted
for seed implants by my urologist near my home. I went to my urologist who started
me on a three month hormone shot (Trelstar) and scheduled me for a follow up on
January 6 2006.
After
our last meeting I learned about the laparoscopic non invasive removal technique
at Sloan Kettering in New York and have opted for the this surgery. I informed
my Urologist about my change in action but asked him to continue to see me after
my operation (cath removal, psa tests etc) since Sloan Kettering is about a 90
minute trip for me. He seemd offended that I would opt for treatment at Sloan
Kettering a world class cancer hospital by more experienced doctors with laparoscopic
skills. Bascially he told me if I want I can see him in 6 months.
Well
good riddance, I will take my trips into NYC for my follow up but just two words
of caution:
1.
Before you take a hormone shot be SURE about your decision because they are not
easy and I took one for basically no reason.
2.
Don't expect all doctors to be sympathetic if you opt for another treatment that
he doesn't give. Some are out for the $$ and you are just a paycheck in their
eyes.
My
prostate cancer is contained and I have scheduled the Laparoscopic surgery for
1/18/2006. I had already taken a 3 month shot of Trelstar and the hormone shots
have caused some sweating and lethargy problems for me.
I
shall update the group after my surgery next week.
Had
successful Laparoscopic prostete removal on January 18, 2006.
I am now home and it is January 22(4 days after surgery) and feeling better each
day. Most of the discomfort was from the CO-2 gas that was pumped into my abdomen
during surgery and the pressure it was putting on my abs/organs and lower back.The
pain has subsided as the gas has released and I have taken my first bowel movement
(very soft) with no problem today. I am also eating a soft diet, soup, pudding,toast,
breads etc an drinking a lot of water. The catheter bags have turned from dark
red to yellow as my urine has gotten back close to normal color. Keep eating soft
for now with stool softeners now and keep the bowel movements soft.
I
have quickly gotten used to the catheter and use the leg bag during day and night
bag over side of bed at night. I am scheduled to have the catheter removed on
January 30 2006 and also receive my pathology reports on the Lymph Node scrapings.
Today I completed a two mile slow walk around the local track and felt a bit tired
but overall better then I thought I would. Although I only had surgery four days
ago I am very happy with the way I feel and lack of pain or discomfort. At this
point getting up and down is more difficult then actually walking but ths is very
minimal really.
There
are several things I have learned in these four days that I would like to pass
on to other who may be considering laparoscopic prostate removal and your doctor
may NOT tell you:
1)
Shave or trim your pubic area before the operation as you will be lubing and cleaning
the tip of your penis : less hair, less mess.
2)
Attach the Cath-Secure velcro to the INSIDE of your thigh with some slack up top
to keep the penis tip from being pulled as there is about 1/4 inch movement back
and forth on the tube going into your penis.
3)
Take over the counter stool softener (your doctor will surely recommend this)
4)
Take over the counter gas relase medication as it relieved my abdomen discomfort
rather quickly.
5)
As you won't be able to bend over and lift anything heavy get some hand grips/stretch
cords/light dumbells and keep by your sitting/TV area to keep your upper body
from becoming atrophic.
I
will update again after January 30,2006, good health to all and God Bless. Any
questions please always feel free to email me.
I
had my laparascopic surgery on January 18, 2006 so it has been about 2 weeks now.
The
surgery at Sloan Kettering in NYC was successful. I had five small knife-like
wounds in my abdomen 3 for the robotic arms, one for gas inflation and one for
drainage and I was discharged the following day. I say successful as everything
went excellent according to the doctor and he took some Lymph Node scrapings for
pathology tests to make sure he got all the cancer. The operation and immediate
recovery went better then I ever thought possible as the dread I had for the last
few weeks have vanished.
After the four hour surgery I was a bit woozy and very dry mouthed, slept well
with minimal pain and relased from Sloan Kettering the following day. Tough getting
up wth the catheter and IV in my arm but you HAVE TO get out of bed and walk,
at first with nurse's assistance then alone (gets much easier the second time).
My
main immediate problems was the catheter irritated the tip of my penis (and did
so for the entire ten days it was in) and the CO-2 gas that is pumped into my
abdomen took about 3 days to release and during that time the gas put pressure
on my lower organs and lower back causing some pain (nothing extreme though).
I was able to get around fine, with very minimmal pain and was able to walk 1
1/2 miles three days after surgery.
The
surgeon took samples surrounding my prostate to check if the cancer had spread.
The pathology reports came back and to my GREAT relief, the bladder neck, lymph
nodes and surgical margins all came back negative. I had my catheter removed ten
days after and am basically pain free and if not for the small wounds that are
healing fine I would know that I had a major surgery two weeks ago.
My
main immediate problem is urine leakage. I am able to control my urges somewhat
but the leakage happens quite a bit. Much better when I sit or sleep at night.
I wear Depends men pads in my underwear and use the bigger wraparound diaper type
at night to avoid any leakage on my mattress. I have started Kegel exereicses
and hope in time I can gain more control over the urine leakage. I will update
after my follow up visit and first PSA test in 6 weeks.
If
any members have suggestions regarding working on urine control would appreciate
an email.
Has
now been 6 weeks since my laparascopic surgery on January 18,2006 and can't believe
it all has gone so well. The pain from my abdominal incisions has totally gone
away and urine leakage is now nil (six pads a day to one/sometimes two).
It
took awhile for the incisions to heal (still scars) as they would be best described
as an ice pick stab wound as the tip of the incision requires no stiches but does
travel deep into the body. I believe Kegel exercises were a big help but did produce
soreness when I was doing them daily most times every hour. I would recommend
a two days intense, two days off with the Kegels as it seems that alternating
the days and intensity worked better for me. I have been back to the gym for about
two weeks running two miles and lifting weights, same poundage as before my surgery
but sticking to machines and cables as I realize that the bladder tie up is still
healing so I have avoided any bending and lifting as not harm the healing process.
I
had my first post op PSA test and results were ZERO. I shall send an update in
6 months after my next PSA test. Meanwhile anybody with questions or suggestions
please feel free to email me.
Thanks
God bless and best of health to all.
Now
4 months since my laparascopic surgery and feel great. Five small pink marks on
my abdomen and a sense of urgency at times only after effects. Once in a while
will leak a drop when I cough or laugh heavy.My last day with pad was one month
ago so took me 3 months to ween myself off the Depends and get back to normal.
Started with 6 pads a day after the catheter was removed eventually down to one
then..NONE. Frustrating ordeal but takes time. I am fully continent now but not
quite back to full firmness but getting there.
My
three month post op PSA was 0.0 and hopefully that will be my high point for the
rest of my days. Scheduled for next PSA in September at which time I'll update
my progress. Anybody with questions please feel free to email me. Best of health
to all and God Bless.
Hello
all, it has now been 11 months since my Laparoscopic surgery and feeling great.
I still have some erection problems but Viagra does work and things are improving
but slowly. I find that I urinate more frequently but for short bursts. I think
that with the prostate now gone the bladder doesn't fill up totally before I have
to urinate but a small price to pay.
My
4 pink incisions marks are now gone and my second PSA test came back 0.05 ng/ml.
I have been removed from Sloan Kettering's Prostate Cancer Patient list and now
placed on the Cancer Survivor list meaning my PSA check ups are now yearly instead
of every 6 months.
I
believe that Laparoscopic was indeed a miracle for me and if anyone out there
cares to discuss my expereinces please feel free to email me.
God
Bless and Good health to all.
I
am now 14 months post Laprascopic removal and my PSA continues to be undetectable
0.05. Five small incisions have disappeared and in great health. My continence
is fine but seems that holding my bladder a bit more difficult and my bladder
doesn't fill totally before I have to urinate, so I go more often but a less of
a stream.
My
ED has not responded well to Viagra and Cialis so I am going for injection treatments
at Sloan Kettering starting April. I don't know much about them but kind of interested
in anything that works (so is my wife). Will update once I get more ED treatments.
Best
of health to all and good luck.
Tom.
Tom's
e-mail address is: hitdamusik@aol.com
