OO-RAH! 3 mile run - no leakage

awesome news!

That is good and it should just keep getting better. Had my longest run the am since my surgery in May of 2009 at 7 1/2 miles. Hit some Mtn Tops along the way. Life is good.

Michael

I've been marathoning for at least 10 years. Was training for an ultra when I went in for RALP on 12/27/2010. I waited for 6 weeks before resuming running. My Uro told me no running for 4 weeks...I wanted to be on the safe side...and really didn't feel like running until 6 weeks...I did some hiking, walking, etc. and could tell my crotch area was just not up to it till then. I still leak somewhat when running, but its getting better. T-minus 2 weeks till adjuvant RT. <bobr>
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Age: 54
Routine Physical on 10-20-2010 DRE Normal
PSA 4.3, up from 0.6 5 years prior
PSA 0.6 on 10-25-2005
PSA 0.4 on 7-30-2004
PSA 0.5 on 5-9-2002
Followup with Urologist on 11/10/2010 after elevated PSA; DRE noted slight bump
November 30th, 2010 had prostate biopsy.
December 9th, 2010, Biopsy results 3 of 12 cores positive.
LLB: Gleason's 4+3=7, 11 MM Tumor Length/15MM Core Length (73%)
LLM: Gleason's 4+4=8, 12 MM Tumor Length/15MM Core Length (75%)
LM: 0.1 MM Tumor Length (1%)0.1 MM Tumor Length
Urologist recommended robotic removal using da Vinci method.
RALP Surgery 12/27/2010 Released: 12/30/2010
Thunderbird Banner Hospital, Glendale, AZ
Post-Surgery Pathology: GS 4+5=9
Pathologic Staging: pT3a, N0, MX; location: Left Side; Volume: 10%
Margins: Left posterior inked margin focally involved
Extraprostatic Extension: Observed
Seminal vesicles: Not observed
Lymphatic/Vascular Invasion: Not observed
Catheter: Removed 15-days after surgery

Post-OP Followup on 1/11/2011; Catheter/Staples removed
Adjuvant IMRT 8 Weeks Post-OP.
No exercise for 4 Weeks Post-OP.

Radiation Oncologist Initial Consultation on 1/18/2011

@cyclingboy

Every doctor seems to have different guidelines for cath removal and wait time for physical activity. My cath was out 9-10 days after surgery. My doc said no running for about 3 weeks after surgery then do whatever you can tolerate.
I was able to run and walk without any real discomfort.
For some reason some days just standing more than 1-2 minutes was very painful and uncomfortable. This disappeared at 6 weeks post.
I've been running sporadically for 6 weeks, trying to get in shape for an April marathon. At this point thought that looks very optimistic.
I leaked a bit on every run till today. I haven't worn any pads
The leaking starts after anywhere from 1/2 to 1.5 miles.
I think generally I am improving but there are a lot of variables. Was I well hydrated to start with? Was my gait smooth or jarring? Who knows what other factors

Now it's dark most times I run and I'm wearing black running pants due to weather
When spring comes if I'm still damp I may try pads, I worry that on long runs the things might rub and be uncomfortable
Right now I'm just hoping to improve and bypass this potential outcome

@diamond3 - I was on the verge of doing robotic with a well respected doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago
I did a lot of talking to friends, doctors and Google-ing - there was no consensus as to whether there was any practical difference in results.
It seemed like much more importance is given to the experience of the specific doctor than to the type of procedure.
I read about another well known Dr, William Catalona - working in the same dept as my prospective robotic surgeon
Catalona is a fierce advocate of the open procedure, he's done thousands, is well known and treats celebrities ( I think I heard or saw Joe Torre's name mentioned).
The arguments go back and forth, people like robotic because of a set of smaller incisions (although net the entire set is close to the single incision done in open). also with robotic the area of the operation can be reached presumably with less impact than open.

I was also told that if you are overweight, robotic may be easier/better for all involved

The advocates for open say that the surgeon's ability to have tactile feedback on the tissues and the ability to see directly are advantages
In the midst of my anxiety and indecision, I spoke to a very well known cancer surgeon, Dr A, who himself had PCa, and he recommended to me the doctor I ended up using, Dr B. Dr A was operated on by the doctor he recommended, and actually had trained him in part. The urologist surgeon I used, also worked at Sloan Kettering and is now in the Chicago area.
The recommending doctor said "You need to talk to Dr B". The same Dr A, told me that he was a runner, and ran 16 miles 4 weeks after surgery. That made the decision easy - I'm a runner, a major doctor runner essentially says "use this guy"
In the end, my operation took 90 minutes from first cut to finish - I was out of the hospital in 48 hours and have had very good results - no leakage after cath removal (other than when running)
I think there are a lot of good doctors out there, it pays to scrutinize and research, because there are also a lot of average doctors or worse.

It's very hard when you feel you want/need the "rock star" doctor. I'm not sure if mine was such a star, but it sure worked out well for me - maybe luck is involved as well

if you want his name - email me at sfigato@healingwell.net (yes this is a real email address - click on the email link at the top of the page to sign up if you want one)

Diamonds 3- I had robotic surgery at Penn in August 2010. I can not speak highly enough of Dr. David I. Lee and his staff. It may be worth your while to speak with him as part of your decision process.

very encouraging. congrats. I can't wait. went for a nice walk this morning and saw lots of runners out there, all enjoying the big thaw in Chicago over the past week.

Glad you had some good runs in some rather cold weather. Stayed in Chicago for a convention a number of years ago and had a great run thru donwtown and out by Soldier Field. Thought of George Halas as I passed by.
Michael