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9 Weeks Since Surgery

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Posted 11/16/2008 5:23 PM (GMT -8)
Found this site about a month ago, been lurking for a while, but felt it was time to jump on in.

PSA was caught on a routine physical, hadn't had one previously as no one in my family has had cancer, and other Doc's don't usually do a PSA until age 50. Was getting blood work for cholesterol, and Doc decided I was close enough to add a PSA screening to the tests. I was completely asymptomatic at the time, and was up until the time of the surgery.

Currently working on incontinence, started back to work last week. Very minor leakage at night, but go thru 6-8 pads during the daytime, as my work involves climbing ladders, getting in and out of vehicles, etc. Doing 4 sets of Kegels daily, seeing some improvement, but n ot as much as I'd like.
Was placed on 20mg Levitra twice weekly, but so far it just makes me feel flushed and slightly light headed, had a headache when I took the first pill, but none since then.

Catheter was in for 10 days after surgery, a week after removal, got a bladder infection, urethra got swollen and could not urinate. Had to have catheter back in for a week, placed on antibiotics, was not a happy camper. No problems since then.

Prognosis seems good, but awaiting PSA results for the next year before I begin to feel overly optimistic.
Posted 11/16/2008 6:08 PM (GMT -8)

    Hey Gunner,  Sorry you had to find us.  Wish you well on your continued recovery.

    KW

Posted 11/16/2008 6:15 PM (GMT -8)
Glad you joined us on the forum, Gunner.
Posted 11/17/2008 5:53 AM (GMT -8)
Your situation as to where you are on IC and ED is about typical. I think at 12 weeks I was using two pads a day generally, but on those days I worked physically additional pads were necessary. Now 6 months out, I am still wearing a pad just for the slight amounts that occur during the day - still hoping to be completely dry someday. It takes more time with some of us than with others.

Your bio did not state whether you had nerve sparing or not, but since you are young most I have read here recover in the ED department fairly quickly. Isn't it great to have the surgery behind you and the hope that things will improve daily.
RB
Age 61 (now 62)
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA <.04
2nd Post PSA <.1 10/30/2008
Posted 11/17/2008 2:26 PM (GMT -8)
Welcome to the site Gunner, I am glad the surgery is over for you. I was fortunate not to have any incontinence issues, but still have issues with ED, but that is getting better slowly. You can learn much here, I know I have found this to be a great resource. Stay in touch.
Randy
Posted 11/17/2008 5:54 PM (GMT -8)
Gunner, I am 48 as well. I became continent about a month after surgery. However, I suffer from ED. I am taking 25m of viagra a night. I am now getting some erections in my sleep. perhaps that means i am heading for recovery. It doesn't bother me much because I am so happy I pulled through surgery!
Posted 11/18/2008 9:18 AM (GMT -8)
Hello Gunner.  I'm approaching,tomorrow, 10 weeks since my da Vinci method surgery.  The incontenence issue is something I've been dealing with, as well.  Just when I think things are getting better, I can leak as if the dam has broken.  I returned to work 2 1/2 weeks following surgery and move about, also.  Some days I use 4 pads, some days 10.  Regarding ED, it's not something I worry too much about at this point.  I've been on a Cialis and Muse regime three times weekly for maybe a month and a half now, but nothing exciting to report.  I'm not in a relationship with anyone now, so I lack the 'at home care' assistance in that department.  I've had some bl00d showing in my urine for several weeks now (not large amounts and not something that continued following surgery), but the doctor's office says to keep watching unless it gets worse and he'll assess the situation at our next visit Xmas Eve day.  I feel good, overall.  Thanks for checking-in.
Posted 11/19/2008 10:05 AM (GMT -8)
Thank you all for the warm welcome, it's a relief to find a place where others have gone thru what I have. The information here and at other places on the web can get overwhelming, but I think I've started to develop some internal filters to help deal with that, as I suspect others of you have, or I'm sure we would go insane turn
Posted 11/19/2008 10:14 AM (GMT -8)
hi Gunner - yes, all of this can be overwhelming. Give your recovery time - it takes a long time for everything to heal inside. we are still seeing improvement after 2 years. regarding, ED drugs, try all three to find the one that works for you. Jeff had similar results with erections with them all, but the side affects were different. take care, kat
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