One year update since open RRP surgery

It's been 13 months now since my surgery and I just this week got my 1 year PSA results- .02 (if you can believe that). The other tests til now has been .04. Anyway, it's statistically undetectable.

Continence has not been an issue since 3 days after catheter removal. Even that ugly purple red scar has faded into something more normal in color and appearance. ED recovery is still a complete failure. I've been on a regular course of daily pump use, daily 50mg of Viagra with 2000mg l-Arginine, and twice weekly bimix or trimix injections. Results? Zero....

I find that I don't worry about the future, as far as having cancer is concerned, it's been a long enough period of recovery that the whole ordeal is sliding back into my foggy memory. Until it recurs I am considering myself cured, and won't dwell on it's possible future actions. I am thankful that I have my health, my life and an almost back-to-normal body again. The ED is frustrating and will continue to get aggressive treatment. I admit I am disappointed that I have had absolutely no response after a year, after nerve-sparing surgery, but that's the hand life dealt, so I play it. I'll continue working on it though.

In summary, I guess you could say I am content with the results after a year. Zero's and normal recovery of the other things makes for good nights sleep now, especially since I don't have to have that sleep disturbed by sleeping on the occasional rock......

---

James C.
Co-Moderator- Prostate Cancer Forum
Age 61
4/19/07 PSA 7.6, referred to Urologist, recheck 6.7
7/11/07 Biopsy- 16 core samples, size of gland around 76 cc. Staging pT2c
7/17/07 Path report: 3 of 16 PCa, 5% involved, left lobe , GS 3/3:6.
9/24/07 (open) Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy performed
9/26/07 Post-op Path Report: GS 3+3=6 Staging pT2c, 110gms, margins clear
Present- 1 year: ED- Viagra, pump continues, no response- Trimix .10ml x 2 weekly continues
Post Surgery PSA's: 3 mts-.04, 6 mts.-.04, 9 mts.-.04, 1 Year-.02.

James C,
Thank you for the post, the great attitude is contageous. Moving forward with a good attitude is essential to good healing. May your "anniversaries" last a lifetime!

Thank you do much for all you do here!

Tony

---

Age 46 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007 @ The City of Hope

Post-Op Pathology: Gleason 4+3=7, positive margins, Extra Prostatic Extension (EPE)

Bilateral seminal vesicle invasion (SVI); Stage pT3b, N0, Mx

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg (2 Year ADT)

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

Current PSA (September 17 '08): <0.1 ~ Undetectable!

You can visit my Journey at:

Tony's Blog

Tony's Prostate Cancer InfoLink Page

STAY POSITIVE!

James, congratulations on the 1 yr PSA, I couldn't be happier for you. You are always there for new and old alike, not age mind you, but those of us with pc. It is people like yourself that make this board what it is. I hope you continue on your road to complete recovery including improvement with the ED. I am 14 mos out and still have issues in that respect, but I take one day at a time, and I believe that despite our individual maladies, we are all better people because of our illness. I know I am, and I attribute a lot of that to the peace I find here, my loving wife and family, and a renewed appreciation for lots of things I had taken for granted. Thank You for all you do for the board in your capacity as moderator and contributor.

Randy

---

46 you when diagnosed, now 47
Pre-Op PSA 9.9
1 of 12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3
DaVinci on 9/5/2007
Post-Op Gleason 3+6, Negative Nodes and Margins
Less than 1% of prostate involved with CA
3 Month PSA 0.01, 6 Month PSA 0.01, 9 Month PSA 0.01
One Year PSA 0.01
Incontinence resolved 9/15/2007, one day after cath removal
ED showing significant improvement.
Cialis 5 mg every night.
Success with BiMix

Congratulations! I am six months behind you and hope I maintain your great attitude! Keep up the good work.

---

 

Age 48

occupation accountant

PSA increased from 2.6 to 3.5 in one year

biopsy march 2008 - cancer present gleason 7

decision - surgery (robotic)

surgery may 9, 2008 - houston, tx

pathology report -gleason 8

margins clear

4 week and 6 week PSA >.04 (undetectible)

12 week PSA <.04

continent at 10 weeks (no pads!)

kegel's twice a day 20 reps

James,

Congrats to you.  you are double my time and definetly in my role model club.  I only hope to emulate you in my next 6 months. 

Frank

---

Diagnosed @ 53 years old now54

DRE normal , 2004 Biospy negative - 2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

PSA @ surgery 6 

Bone and Ct scans negative

clinicaly Staged at T1C - Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci performed March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago,Hospital stay 30 hours -

Catheter out in 7 days 

normaly expected leakage

Post Pathology T2C, Gleason 7, 10 % of both portions of prostate

Seminal vessels clear, fat tissue clear

single positve margin measureing less than 1/2mm 

Six week PSA < 0.1 , 4 month PSA <.05 Gen II test. 6 month PSA  <0.01

Urologist recomends to hold off on Radiation and watch PSA closely. Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist seem to lean to doing pre-emptive radiation.Uroligist says 50/50 chance of PSA re-occurence.  

I have decided to hold off and see in 3 months lets see in 9 months.

Next PSA January 2009.

11-08-08 (7months) starting to go without day pads, 100 mg Viagra seeing good results

 

 

 

 

Great news James!! Hope you continue to get undetectable PSA result and hopefully you can recover from the ED stuff also
Good Luck
Kris

---

Age: 54

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

Home: Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Biopsy: 3/5/2008; Pre surgery: Gleason 6 (3+3), involving left lobe
Clinical stage: t2b. DaVinci Surgery on 4/21/2008 in Austin by Dr Randy Fagin.

Pathologist report upgraded to a Gleason 7 (3+4); Clinical stage upgraded also to a T3a; Margins: Clear

First post surgery PSA = < 0.04 (Undetectable)

Second PSA (10/27/08) = < 0.1 Undetectable

Great to hear things are going well.

KW

---

    43 at Dx and Surgery (RRP)

    PSA 5.7, Biopsy 3 of 12 positive (up to 75%) all on left side of prostate, Gleason 7

    RRP on Oct. 17, 2006 - Nerves on right side saved. All Lab's clear. 

    Cathiter in for 28 days due to complications in healing. Removed Nov. 9, 2006

    First Post op PSA on Dec. 11, 2006  Undetectable 0.00.

    ED workable and usable with Viagra.

    Feb. 20th, 2007 - Feb. 4th, 2008  Cystoscope, Two Collagen injections,Second Opinion Consultation for Incontinance at OU Medical Center, Bio-Feedback training, Chiropractic, Accupuncture  to try to resolve ongoing incontinance (4-6 pads a day)  All PSA's 0.00.

    Feb. 22nd, 2008 - Surgery to install the AMS AdVance Male Sling.

    March 27th, 2008 - Sling not working, Little or no improvement.

    April 18, 2008 - Collagen injection.  Back to using 4-6 full pads a day within a week.

    May 14, 2008 - Another collagen injection to try to Band-Aid the leaking for our June cruise.  Will start making conusultation appiontments for AUS after we return.

    July 14th, 2008 - AUS consultation with Dr. Morey at UT Southwestern (Dallas).

    July 30, PSA 0.00.

    Aug. 22nd, 2008 - AUS Surgery by Dr. Morey

    Oct. 6th, 2008 - AUS Activation by Dr. Morey