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Posted 3/29/2009 3:38 PM (GMT -7)

Had my open radical on the 26th. Surgeon went way wide because it looked nasty. No nerves spared. Waiting for the pathology next week. Very glad that I chose that route. Catheter is much nastier than I expected. Leaks a lot at the tip when I get up from sitting or laying. Lots of pressure that I didn't expect. Surgeon says it's normal. 3 days in hospital.  So great to be home. Will report back when pathology comes in. Some other member had surgery on the same day ... can't track the thread. Wanted to compare war stories.

Great to have the support of this forum.

Oncas (Jim)

61 yrs old

PSA 8.04

12 cores positive,  11 Gleason 7,  1 Gleason 8

Posted 3/29/2009 4:09 PM (GMT -7)
Jim, so glad to have you back on the other side now, the recovery side. Yeah, there's nothing good to be said about a catheter, I know that all too well. If your surgeon went wide, it was for a reason, be good to read your pathology report when you do get it. Right now, get plenty of rest, don't be afraid to use pain meds if you need them, and of course, lots of stool softeners. I hope you got someone taking good care of you.

David in SC
Age 56, 56 at DX, PSA 7/7 5.8, 7/8 12.3,9/8 14.5

3rd Biopsy Sept 08: Positive 7 of 7 cores, 40-90%, Gleason 7, 4+3

Open RP surgery 11/14/8, Right nerves spared, 4 days hospital, staples out 11/24/8, 5th cath out on 1/19/9

Post-surgery Pathlogy Report:Gleason 3+4=7, pT2c, 42 grm, tumor 20%, Contained in capsular, clear margins, clear lymph nodes 

First PSA Post Surgery   2/9 .05, 6 month on 5/9

 

Posted 3/29/2009 4:13 PM (GMT -7)
Jim,
I'm glad you are on our side now. The catheter is a pain. I had a lot of trouble every time I sat on the toilet. It kept pulling at my penis. I had to buy a seat to put on top of the toilet to make it higher. You will feel so much better once they take it out. Hang in there.
Age: 67
Retired in 2001 and living in Austin TX.
PSA 3.5 free PSA 11%
Dx 12/30/08
2 cores out of 12 were positive Gleason (4+4) and (4+5)
Negative CT scan and bone scan done on 1/16
Robotic surgery performed on Feb 9th
Surgeon: Dr. Randy Fagin, Austin TX.
Post op Pathology report:
Prostate weighed 57 grams
size:5.2 x 5.0 x 4.9 cm
10-20% involved
Bilateral
Gleason 4+4
both nerve bundles removed,
pT3a Nx Mx
Negative margins
Lymph nodes: not dissected
seminal vesicles clean

Posted 3/29/2009 5:22 PM (GMT -7)
Hey Jim,
Good to see you made it back.
Ed C brought up an excellent point. That first time sitting on the regular 15" high toilet seat is NO fun after surgery.
By all means get either a seat extender or the absolute best is the actual high toilet seat that fits over the existing toilet (with its own 4 legs and the extra railings to hold on to etc).
I only did the regular seat ONCE and was soooo glad to get the high seat in for all the rest of the times.
Also on the same subject .. first BM could take a while -- passing gas for days is not uncommon (and is a good sign that better things are on the way). Softeners and lots of fruits and veggies and all that.
Yep Hang in there.
Age 58, 192lbs, 6'4", 57 at DX, PSA Aug2008 7 4 ... June2007 4.7 (BPH + LUTS)
Biopsy Nov2008 1 of 12 cores 5%, Gleason 3+3 - Sona showed 140+ cc (110 grams post op) prostate size.
open RP surgery 02/03/09, Nerve sparing both sides, 1 day in hospital, Day 4 first BM,
Pathology Report - All margins clear - No Invasive spread - no change in Gleason score.
2/18/09 Cath out, passed a STONE within hours. To be analyzed by doc.
Using pump (encore) daily since catheter out -- Viagra and Levitra samples now and then (no effect).
03/06/09 Started Levitra 20mg rehabbing -> 3/23 no real effect yet.
03/20/09 First post-PSA blood drawn -> 04/01 will be meeting w/PA.

Posted 3/29/2009 5:28 PM (GMT -7)
Congratulations Jim- we all know how you struggled with your decision-hopefully you willl have a good report.

 

63 years old-tumor discovered on digital exam- biopsy December 2008-

4 of 12 samples positive-all on right side

Gleason 3+3=6

PSA-3

Otherwise excellent health.

  "There may come a day when the courage of men will fail, but it will not be this day."

Posted 3/29/2009 5:44 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Jim,
Congratulations on getting through the surgery fine! The first few days after the surgery were the worst for me.....after awhile you kind of get used to what you have to do to move around, etc. All I can say about the cath is: endure! : ) The day I got it out I felt about 500% better right away.
Good luck with your recovery and be sure to report back!
Mark
Age 52
PSA 3.1 fPSA 26% Dx: 11-07-08
1 of 12 cores with 5% adenocarcinoma
11 of 12 cores clear Gleason grade 3+3=6
Robotic laproscopic surgery 2-4-09
Dr. Garret Matsunaga, Torrance Memorial Hosp.
Free hernia repair! 2 day stay.
Pathology: pT2c NXMX
upgraded to 3+4=7 and <2% tertiary 5
negative margins
negative extraprostatic extension
negative seminal vesicle invasion

Posted 3/29/2009 5:56 PM (GMT -7)
Congratulations Jim!

Just got a new tip last week from a friend who has a catheter in: he had bad bladder spasms, but found that a heating pad in the lap area was a lifesaver.

DJ
Diagnosis at age 53. PSA 2007 about 2; PSA 2008 4.3
Biopsy September 2008: 6 of 12 cores positive; Gleason 4+3 = 7
CT and Bone scan negative
Da Vinci surgery at City of Hope December 8, 2008
Radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection
Catheter out on 7th day, replaced on 8th day, out again 14th day following negative cystogram
Pathology: pT2c; lymph nodes negative; margins involved; 41 grams, 8% involved by tumor; same Gleason 4+3=7
PSA 1/22/08 non-detectable! 8-)

Posted 3/29/2009 7:26 PM (GMT -7)
there you are my brother, i agree the cath is moer a pain in th ass than the penis , youll be fine im just thankful YOUR cancer free.........dirt

Diagnosed November 2007   (43 years old )

PSA 3.9 / Gleason 6 / TC1 6 cores 1 shows 25%

Sugery scheduled 5/29/08 - City of Hope - Dr. Mark Kawachi

 "First show of the day"

 and now for the new ive been waiting for

 FINAL PATH REPORT:gleason upgraded to 3+4 T2c bilateral disease,tumor involvment 5%

extra prostatic extention:absent

seminal vesical invasion :absent

pathological staging:pTNM pT2 ORGAN CONFINED

margins free of carcinoma

usable erections ;6-6-08 with little blue pill

continence; 1 pad a day, dry at night

continence a non issue at 10weeks

Posted 3/29/2009 7:33 PM (GMT -7)
Hang in there, Jim,
Get on with the healing. The catheter is a distant memory for me and it will be for you too. All the well wishes I can muster are headed your way...

Tony
Age 46 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8 : Surgery at The City of Hope on February 16, 2007

Geason 4+3=7, Stage pT3b, N0, Mx

Positive Margins (PM), Extra Prostatic Extension (EPE) : Bilateral Seminal vesicle invasion (SVI)

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

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

Current PSA (January 13, 2009): <0.1

My Journal is at Tony's Blog  

My InfoLink page is at Tony's Prostate Cancer InfoLink Page

STAY POSITIVE!

Posted 3/29/2009 9:29 PM (GMT -7)
Welcome to the other side Jim,

Hope your healing will come quickly. It has been 6 months now and it seems like so long ago. Well it seems like so long until I read how guys just coming out of surgery feel then it all comes rushing back.

Take it easy for a few days. There is plenty of time to get back in the game. Wishing you a peaceful and comfortable recovery.

Tim
Age at Dx:48, currently 49

PSA May 08 2.96

referred to uro

PSA June 08 3.44

biopsy 7/25/08-29 core samples

path 7/31/08-8 of 29 PCa/10% involved L/R base and mid

high grade PIN in apex/seminal vesicles clear stage GS 3/3=6 pT2a

10/7/08 robotic at Cleveland Clinic-Dr. Kaouk

10/10/08 path GS 3/3=6 pT2c

cancer contained/neg margins

PSA Jan/09 .03

Posted 3/30/2009 11:04 AM (GMT -7)
Congratulations Jim. Glad you made it to the other side. You nearly always heal faster at home. Get some well deserved rest my friend. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Age at DX 57

5-18-07 PSA 7.7

5-06-08 PSA 4.6  8% free psa, but stable

10-23-08 PSA 5.65 4% free psa

11-04-08 biopsy

11-11-08 2 of 12 cores positive

Gleason 3+3  6  stage t1c / post-op 3+4  7  stage t2c

CT and Bone scan negative

Da Vinci RRP 01-09-09

Catheter removed 1-15-09

Pathology Report says it's gone!

First Post-op PSA 2-17-09   0.00

Posted 3/30/2009 4:57 PM (GMT -7)
Greetings, Jim.  Congratulations and let the healing begin.  The catheter is a royal pain but a necessary one.  It is for your own good even if we do detest every minute of it.  When it comes out you'll have a new lease on life.  Keep us posted.  David

Age 55

Diagnosed Dec 2007 during annual routine physical

PSA doubled from previous year from 1.5 to 3.2

12 biopsies - 2 positive with 2 marginal

Gleason 3 + 3 = 6

RRP 4 Feb 08

Both nerves spared

Good pathology - no margins - all encapsulated - Gleason 4 + 3 = 7

Catheter out Feb 13 - wore pad for couple of days - pad free Feb 16

Great wife and family who take very good care of me

Posted 3/30/2009 5:59 PM (GMT -7)

Congratulations, Jim.

The other side is a good place to be.  It sure takes a load off the mind. Remember to keep walking, take the stool softeners and pain meds as needed.  The catheter bites but soon is a distant memory.  A couple of years ago I had to replace our toilet and opted for the handicap toilet figuring it would be the last one I'd ever need, and since I wasn't getting any younger, thought it would be helpful in my "older" years.  How fortuitous.  It really helped a lot...so get the seat apparatus that raises you up a couple of inches.  You'll be more comfortable.  Anytime I have to use a regular toilet I feel like I'm going to fall on my rear.

On with the healing,

Bob

 AGE:57

 Dx: October,27(the day after my birthday)

 Psa 14.5

 Gleason:(4+3) 7 T1c

 Bone scan:Negative

 Cat scan: Negative

 Biopsy: 4 of 12 positive, left side, pre-cancerous on the right.

 Confined to prostate.

 DaVinci Jan. 19th, No lymph node involvement, all margins clear.

 8 week PSa <0.01

 Gleason downgraded to (3+4)7

Posted 3/30/2009 8:38 PM (GMT -7)
You are on the down hill side now and that is good. My catheter leaked also - I suppose that is normal. I would keep some neosporin on Willie's tip - that will help avoid soreness there. I am sure the area is a wreck (Willie is a turtle and the boys are blue) - all of that is normal and will re-adjust in time. Just take it easy and things will improve daily. Blessings.

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 <.01 10/30/2008

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