Prostate removal...Update post 60.

[BC38]

I had DaVinci robotic prostate removal surgery in 2018 for a 1.5cm stage 4 tumor. All margins clear and it hadn't escaped the prostate.
5 years worth of "clean" PSA's since then, so I'm considered cured.
I'll be getting my annual (6-year) PSA blood draw tomorrow.
Regaining 100% continence took about 4 months or so.
All functions normal, but the reduction in bladder capacity means I have to "go" more often. Not so often that it is a big deal.
Full recovery from the surgery took about 6 weeks. One incision up near the ribcage was pretty painful and sore - kind of like a burning sensation - right up to the 6-week mark, and then one day I woke up and the pain was gone.
All good ever since.

 

[46er]

There is a Prostate Cancer group on facebook,

 

[WR Moore]

The biopsy isn't fun, but I watched my first wife's grandfather die of undetected cancer. In maybe 9 months time he went from NFL lineman size picture of health to King Tuts mummy.

There's more than one type of prostate cancer. Some are relatively benign, others more aggressive. I had a couple of types, one more aggressive. There was some delay deciding that I wasn't a good candidate for radiation. When they did the surgery, there was initial concern that the more aggressive type might have escaped the prostate and spread to the bladder/bowel. Turned out to be unfounded. Reminds me, need to call the oncologist and schedule a PSA. I'm at 5-6 years post op.

Radiation first is not a good idea. Per the consultations, there's some residual tissue changes/damage that makes surgery after radiation rather chancy. IIRC, tissue loses some elasticity.

 

[dave1918a2]

A long time friend(now deceased) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Went the removal route. Was almost normal after 6 weeks and was active sexually with His Wife and Cialis. Went 12 or so years until an anurism got Him. Another friend took the radiation/chemo route. Was sorry He didn't doo the removal instead. Said He hurt every hour of every day and still hurt months after. Had a high school friend got the radiation implants. Burned Him up from the inside and killed Him in three months. The implanters made a mistake of some sort.

 

[lihpster]

Jeff, I'm hoping for the best possible outcome for you.

 

[taz666]

There is no "right" way to go with prostate cancer. It depends on each individual case and your overall heath situation. If your Doc said removal is the way to go then that is what you should do.

 

[hivel37]

I had the radical surgery 22 years ago.
You’ll get a lot of advice.
If you need more, PM me.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I really appreciate all the kind words, thoughts, & prayers. I'm still a little apprehensive (scared) but there are folks here that are or have had worse than me. I can feel the collective power of prayers and well-wishers soaking in. I thank you all.

 

[Hair Trigger]

So this Friday I'm going in to have my cancerous prostate removed. Doctor gave me a choice between removal or chemo/radiation treatments. He said I chose wisely, as he says that has the best results. He also told me getting the biopsies would not hurt. He lied. Has anyone ever had this done? And pain pills...I don't do pain well. And does getting back to normal take very long, if there IS a getting back to normal? I may be a little hesitant about this operation...okay, I'm scared to death!

I had mine removed in 2018. It wasn't cancer, per se, but benign hyperplasia. The doc took 85% of it though, and did a transurethral procedure, no incision. I was back to normal in about 3-4 weeks, the postoperative catheter was the worst part.

I've seen the prostate seeding procedures for cancer and they brought tears to my eyes. Of course the patient is under anesthesia so it doesn't hurt, but boy howdy did it look like it would.

 

[wrkerr]

Had the robotic prostatectomy in 2022. PM if you want to ‘talk’.
Take comfort in what my doctor told me; it’s the best cancer to have (all things considered). Not a difficult procedure, and good survival rate.

 

[walter o]

God be with you sir and a quick recovery.

 

[Narragansett]

The best to you tomorrow on your surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

 

[Mike2592]

Like one of the other members I had a robotic prostatectomy in October 24. I am 62 years old and was diagnosed with cancer in
July 24. Doctors gave me options to do radiation or prostate removal. I chose the removal method because of my age and it went very well. My doctors had me do biopsies to see what we were up against. The biopsy procedure is uncomfortable but is necessary to see what your up against. Today thanks to my awesome doctor and his team, i am doing great knowing that I am cancer free. If you want to talk about it please feel free to let me know. God Bless!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Wish you the very best amigo-Prostate surgery of any kind is a scary proposition. Best you can do is do your research and put your faith in your doctor and God.

 

[oink]

I will pray your surgery goes well, is a complete cure and causes little secondary damage. You will have some recovery issues. Just remember it gets better with time. I still offer to share my experiences by phone, text or PM. You may have issues to discuss you prefer to talk about in privacy. Not all doctors that are excellent surgeons are any good at all with recovery or possible long term consequences of the procedure, often to a surprising degree.

 

[jeffrefrig]

"Was almost normal after 6 weeks and was active sexually with His Wife and Cialis."

I had to read this sentence a couple times before I realized his wife did not have a friend named Cialis.

 

[taz666]

Still a threesome ... no?

 

[Fishinfool]

Jeff, good luck with your surgery. I was diagnosed 3 years ago after my PSA numbers started to go up. Yea, the biopsy is a little uncomfortable, but not really bad. Rather embarrassing though, especially when a half dozen doctors in training are present.

In my case, it was considered mid-grade, and a complete PET scan showed no spread anywhere else.

My Dr. said long term positive results for my type and severity were about equal between surgery and radiation. I was going to go with the surgery, but the Dr. recommended radiation instead due to a prior heart injury / surgery. You are basically upside down on the operating table, which can be an issue for some under anesthesia who have heart issues.

So I went with the radiation. Painless, no real recovery period, maybe a little fatigue. Any of these procedures can cause incontinence and erection issues. Some get it worse than others. I lucked out with only increased bathroom breaks, that has slowly gone back to normal. Since completing treatment, my PSA has fallen to .02, and stayed there.

Each person, and type of cancer differs, and in the end I would follow my Dr.'s advice. He is the ultimate subject matter expert.

Larry

 

[jeffrefrig]

Yeah, we’re all different and all of the bad stuff inside is different in all of us. Same goes with the drugs, too. Percocet has no ill side effects on me like many have described. They make my back pain bearable; that’s the best I can get I suppose.
Ya know, being 67 kinda makes me feel old, but I have seen many guys/gals that seem to be in pretty bad condition for their age so I don’t really feel all that bad.

 

[Kenna]

My best to you on the surgery tomorrow. Stay focused on healing, I believe attitude is 90% of the healing process.