fusilier's Journey with Prostate Cancer
Patient: Prostate Cancer
Patient Info: Finished active treatment more than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 10 years ago, Male, Age: 73, Progressing despite hormone therapy: No
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Experience Icon Descriptions
Procedure: Drag this icon to show a procedure.
Radiation: Drag this icon to show a specific radiation therapy experience.
Drug Therapy: Drag this icon to show a specific drug therapy experience.
Clinical Trial: Drag this icon to show a clinical trial experience.
Side Effect: Drag this icon to show experience with a specific side effect.
Oh No: Drag this icon to show when something bad happened (e.g., cancer’s back, lost job).
Celebration: Drag this icon to show when something good happened (e.g., last treatment, hair is back).
Loss: Drag this icon to show a time of loss (e.g., lost hair, lost loved one).
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Other
Oh No
I have plenty of family history of CA - but mostly gastric and pancreatic. Further, the diagnosis was at age 62, perhaps 10 years earlier than typical. OTOH, I never was in denial, but went straight to anger.
Other
Side Effects
I passed out. This was a side effect of the biopsy, and I was NOT cautioned that it might happen. The biopsy was in the morning, and by late afternoon I had had three successful urinations. The fourth time I suffered what is called "micturition syncope." There is a connection in the brain between the control of blood-pressure and the Vagus Nerve which, among other things, controls your urinary bladder. As I was urinating, my BP dropped so quickly that I passed out. My wife could not rouse me, and had to call 9-1-1. I vaguely recall the EMTs saying that my BP was "60 over I can't find it."
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Procedure or Surgery
I teach human anatomy and physiology to community-college students who want to become an RN, or radiologic tech, or surgical tech, or .... I know the upsides and downsides, and I know the absolute need to aggressively deal with this. I also have the absolute support of a strong wife who has more than stood by me. My surgery was done using one of the robotic devices (DaVinci, in my case, but there are other brands.)
Bladder problems
Side Effects
I was lucky, the mass was very distinct from the nerves. I have decent bladder control, during most of the day. I dribble a bit when I am tired. I do not wear Depends during the day, and find that a generic menstrual pad much more economical than the absorptive pads aimed at males. Do Your Kegels! ><><><><><>< Well, it's been year (late October 2012,) and I'm back to 99%+ bladder control. Sneezes and such are not a problem, and I can go 5 hours at night without waking. It's now 8 months post surgery, and my bladder control is 99+%. I have no need for any absorptive aids. I _do_ have to get up at night to urinate, but only 2-3 times per week. Most of the time I can go 6 hours without any problem - unless I'm just sitting at my desk. I guess the lack of exercise makes things noticeable.
Erection problems
Side Effects
To date, 8 weeks post surgery, I have not had a spontaneous erection. I'm not worried, it'll happen. ><><><><>< Hasn't happened after a full year. I tried Cialis and get a partial erection - but not enough for intercourse. Urologist suggested papaverin injections - has anyone used that? I admit to a bit of ick-factor.
Remission
Celebration
Over 7 years post surgery and PSA scores are still below detectable limits.