Understanding

hello Aussie friends, I'm glad that you found us even though none of us want to be here. it doesn't matter what country you are in, prostate cancer is the same thing in any language. if you read enough posts, you'll see that a lot of guys have a hard time with incontinence, then it does get better. the time frame is different for everyone. take care and please stay around, kat

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Husband Jeff 56 years old diagnosed July 27, 2006
PSA 6.5, 2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006
pathology report - all clear - cancer gone
1st post-surgery PSA test <0.1, 2nd post-surgery PSA test <0.1, 3rd PSA <0.1
no more pads Oct 12, 2006
first "real" erection with use of pump 12/16/06
3/07 - occasional dribbles and erections with Cialis and pump

There are a couple of folks on this forum from Australia and nobody cares where you live, or your nationality, or any of that stuff. I've not done the surgery, but others have and will respond soon. Welcome.

Regards,

Bill

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Gleason 3+3=6, T1c, one core in twelve, another pre-cancerous.

62 years old and good health.  Married 37 years.  To same woman!

Began IGRT January 23, 2007. 

HI from Canada

a health issue like this speaks it's own language I reckon - my husband is Canadian Chinese while i am a transplant from Adelaide South Australia. we are undiagnosed at the moment but come here for comfort, education and fellowship. You will love it here, this groups is wonderful and caring. good luck with the PSA score.

take care

deb & bob

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Currently undiagnosed

Bob: age 57, no previous prostate history

Multiple urological symptoms & painful/burning ejaculations

GP: 01/12/2007 sent for tests

01/19/2007 PSA 13.8

First Opinion: 02/1/2007 DRE negative; play the waiting game

Second Opinion: 02/9/2007 DRE negative

02/14/2007 Biopsy 4 cores negative for PCa

Third Opinion 03/09/2007 DRE irregular

Upcoming: 04/17/2007 Biopsy 10 cores

 

Hi ~ rj2bjj, You truly did the right thing by joining in   ...  We are all in this together and need each others support.   We can lend you strength and understanding… as the ones who are just a little ahead of you ~ to the ones that are a little bit further ahead ~ to the ones just signing on as you have…..   This is a Circle of Friendship and we gladly take your hand…   Take a look outside… It’s an awesome feeling to know that we are all under the same stars, moon, sun, & sky.    This to me is very comforting…. to know that We Are Not Alone… You’ll find posting from   (Lana & CJ) * Creed_three - from NSW, Australia (east coast) and DJ *DJSydney in Australia, Mike *Mickeyboy in London, and Rickard, Stockholm, Sweden… so we are truly a mixed group… and many from Canada!!   Take a deep breath.... and know that there's a lot of us like you out there... and we've been where you are now.    All different kinds of lifestyles…   different PSA scores, different treatments, different incomes, different jobs, different health issues, all different ages, and most of all… MENTAL ATTITUDES ARE DIFFERENT. So take a deep breath and let this forum help you!!!   There are so many things that can work for you in getting urinary continence back and the most important thing is… time and exercise… Kegel exercises and stairs are wonderful to strengthen the sphincter muscle…   Below are 2 direct links to give you a little more information on helping to regain urinary continence. Read it and pull what you think will work best for you. The more options… the better we are…   (direct link ~ just click on the title!   Reminder to click on the REFRESH icon once there) Kegel Help? Started by: KW Kegels - to pee or not to pee? Started by: pianoman      I copied this information in blue below and taped it in the bathroom… above the toilet.     ** Excerpts taken from a wonderful book called “Dr. Patrick Walsh’s Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer” by: Patrick C. Walsh, M.D. and Janet Farrar Worthington.   Copyright 2001…..     ** Urinary continence: The return of urinary control:     ** Phase One is when you can remain dry when lying down.   ** Phase Two is when you’re dry when you’re walking around.   ** If you can walk to the bathroom and not urinate until you get there, that’s a GREAT SIGN!!!…     it means that the sphincter is intact.   ** Phase Three, you are dry when you stand up (using muscles that put pressure on the sphincter)    after sitting.   ** Remember, the recovery of urinary control is a slow process.   The most important thing you can do during this time is not to get discouraged.     We are happy you’ve joined us!!!      Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :) Post Edited (bluebird) : 3/18/2007 8:41:48 PM (GMT-6)

Let me join in with the others and say WELCOME from Florida! I'm so glad you found this forum - this is the place to get help & comfort...you're never alone here!
You'll see that we're spread all over God's creation - what a place to meet, right?!

It seems incontinence is a different issue for everyone. But it will get better - you're not that far out from surgery. As Bluebird said, read all the threads noted and also Dr. Walsh's book -it was (and still is) so helpful to my husband & I.

Looking forward to seeing your great PSA numbers at your checkup!

All the best,
Susan

kw is so right..."Just remember the MOST important thing is that the cancer is gone."

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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 No Symptoms
PSA: 7.96, Positive DRE
Biopsy Right: 6 of 6 Cores Positive Biopsy Left: 1 of 6 Cores Positive
Gleason: 4+3 = 7 Stage: T2B N0 MX
2/09/06: LRP Restage: T3A NX MX
3 mo. PSA Post Surgery: 11.8, 12.9, 13.9 Bone scan, CT scan, Endorectal MRI, Chest XR - neg.
9/06/06: 6 mo. PSA: 18.8 CT shows lymph node involvement Start HT Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07 - PSA 0.3

Hi there rj2bjj,

My husband and I are also from Australia - about 3 hrs outside of Sydney. We joined this forum about 6 weeks ago. Welcome to you and DH. You will hopefully find great information here and answers to anything you ask. We are still awaiting surgery for Pca, but have found this site the most helpful of all to prepare us overall, as much as one can be prepared for something like this.

Hope you find this site as helpful as we have.
Kind regards, Lana & CJ

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Creed_three

Husband diagnosed 8/12/06 on his 49th birthday. 1 (5%) core of 12 positive. Gleeson 4 + 3 = 7 according to biopsy. Routine PSA (Nov 06) 3.5. Awaiting RP (open) scheduled 17th April 07.

Hi, rj2 - as I told creed on her thread - some of our best times have been in Australia (with stopovers in Fiji along the way!)

I can tell you that at any age, incontinence following surgery is tough. Even though guys know to expect it, it doesn't really sink in until you actually have to deal with it. It will get better; some just take longer than others. And, some days are better than others, too!

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Husband age 65

PSA on 5/1/06: 4.2 (had doubled in 13 mos. and rising monthly)

DaVinci Surgery 8/2/06

T2a (at biopsy)

T4c (at pathology) w/cancer cell leakage into fatty tissue

Post-Surgical PSA on 10/3/06 - undetectable!

Update: 11/1/06 - perhaps bladder neck involvement; 30%-50% chance of recurrence

Future: PSA tests twice-yearly for now