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Re: Deciding between radical prostatectomy and radiation
Hi Folks,
A little more background to myself beyond that in my opening post. I am 72, married, my wife is 70. I was in good health, reasonably fit, cycled regularly and had a routine exercise program.
Following my opening post I consulted various medicos and got various opinions. After much reading it became obvious that my wife and I would have to make our own decision. And so we decided that a radical prostatectomy would be the path we would follow. Our reasons were that because I was fit and healthy a total removal of the cancer could give me many more years of life, where radiotherapy might reduce those years, albeit possibly with a better quality of life in the shorter term. And of course because I was fit and healthy I would soon overcome the side effects of RP, wouldn't I?
So on Feb 14 (Valentines Day !!) I underwent surgery.
First the good news: the tumor was completely contained within the prostate, all the margins were clear as were the two lymph nodes taken and the seminal vesicle.
Then the not so good news. I suffered significant blood loss during the procedure neccessitating an iron infusion and then a blood transfusion. I then suffered three days of almost continual hiccups which almost became unbearable. After this I suffered severe constipation which took some time to rectify. In the end I was discharged from hospital on day nine, as opposed to day four which was the original plan.
Now recovering at home. The soreness is gradually declining, each day making a difference. Two issues have me concerned
. Firstly I have an acutely painful area of soreness in my right groin which I am told is due to nerve damage.
Secondly, the old bogey of incontinence. I realise it is early days yet so have to see what eventuates.
Would appreciate any comments from those who have trodden this path, especially the incontinence aspect and in particular the recovery time and what percentage of urinary control was ultimately achieved.
Rob.
Re: Deciding between radical prostatectomy and radiation
Rob--At your age in my Scientific background and a career of observation of every cancer known to man --at your age """If you could have just done nothing and you would almost assuredly died of old age and not prostate cancer"", i am sure you likely had a Gleason 6 or 7 as almost all men your age or older are diagnosed with a lower Gleason. We all have cancerous cells in our body and most people,s immune system will take care of cancerous tissue and pass it out through the elimination channels.. just because a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer does not mean he has to do anything medically or alternatively..
Re: Deciding between radical prostatectomy and radiation
To Mr. Nolen and those inclined to be of the his opinion of the seriousness of prostate cancer, and anyone just looking for guidance from this site;
I hesitate to write these words but feel I must for the benefit of giving another view on the subject. I do not wish to be argumentative, so please take this in a constructive way. I am only a victim of cancer and its treatment and certainly no expert on cancer. I too was skeptical of the seriousness of this cancer when first diagnosed. I procrastinated for a year before making the decision to treat. That was another year this cancer had to mature in me and very well may have given it the head start it needed to get ahead of the point where it could be eliminated. I have never believed that I will die from this cancer and still don't but - I do know it kills and I want to make sure I don't give it a free rein to claim me as one of the unlucky few who do die from it. I am VERY skeptical of miracle cure concoctions, special diets, and yes - the ability of our immune system to fight this disease. If the immune system could cure this, none of us would be here writing about this subject. We would all be cancer free. Most of us will not die from this but who among us - when face to face with this decision - is willing to gamble our life that we won't be the one who does in the end? I have witnessed the end result of choosing not to treat this disease and it IS NOT pretty!! The case I site here had a few years of freedom and a good quality life but then things started going downhill. It was a slow process and the last two years of his life, and those lives around him, were filled with suffering and hopelessness. He gambled and lost. I don't know what his final thoughts were but mine would have been kicking myself all the way to the grave that I hadn't at least given it a fight. Be careful of listening too much to statistics. They are just numbers and odds and very seldom have much bearing on individual cases - especially with this very unpredictable disease. I could certainly still die from this cancer - or not. I may not have died from it had I never found out I had it. No one can say. I do know I hate what treatment has done to me - treatment is never an easy choice but I feel it is the right choice over gambling with a death that you might be able to avoid. When someone says 70 plus is too old to worry about treating, they are thinking you only have a few years left anyway so why bother. I plan to be around yet well into my nineties so you see, it is all about which direction you look at it from. Treatment comes with huge sacrifices but not treating is much like playing Russian roulette. Best to all! Jon.
Re: Deciding between radical prostatectomy and radiation
Hi Folks,
About time I updated on my progress.
Have just had my six month check up. Best news is my PSA is still undetectable.
I am feeling well and am back to a very similar lifestyle to pre surgery. I do find I fatigue easier than before, but my surgeon suggests that will continue to lmprove
for another six months.
Continence is good without being perfect, still have the occasional unpredictable dribble, with the unpredictability being the worst aspect. I have not worn a pad for weeks, so that gives some indication of where I am at. While of course I would like better, I am reasonably satisfied with my progress in this regard.
ED is another matter.I remain totally impotent. So far I have tried Viagra, Ciallis, and Levitra without any success. Now working my way up the dosage scale of Caverject, up to 15 now with only a trace of an erection. Most frustrating.
I would be grateful for any comments, particularly in regard to ED.
Cheers to all,
Rob.
Re: Deciding between radical prostatectomy and radiation
Rob: Congratulations on an excellent PSA six-months out! I had my prostate removed @ age 59 in mid-February 2018 and was completely continent by late May, so 3-1/2 months with a pad, though barely needed one after 3-months. Was in active surveillance for two years leading to the surgery. After a second (prostate specific) biopsy and confirmation that I did have grade 7 (PSA never worse than 6.5) I had the removal. Seconded-guessed surgery vs. radiation several times. Opted for what I felt was a better chance at a complete cure.
Had some nerve infiltration, so only had partial nerve sparing, but no other signs of a spread to lymph glands or outside the gland margins. Needless to say, I am completely impotent, at least this early on, but have pretty good orgasms even in the flaccid state...and dealing with some shortening after the rearrangement of plumbing. An OK trade-off vs. the terrible stress I was having leading up to the surgery. I had a clinical PSA of zero at the first test...very happy at this point.
I must be in the minority, judging from blogs, but I have completely rejected aftercare with the drugs etc...don't feel like dealing with the treatment or potential side effects. With a wife in menopause, and intercourse being painful, it's like what's the point and I'm not about to let her use Estrogen products with her family's history of cancer. We are still sexually active in other ways. I'm content the way things are and glad to be be six-feet above ground. I can see how many men, especially younger ones, can be frustrated by the functional changes.
I wish you continued improvement in your health and stability with that PSA.
