Follow-up Quesions

Hi AEG,

I had "open" surgery (RRP) and you can read my experience on Biker90's RRP Journey if you wish. If I had to do cancer again, I would do the exact same surgery with the same surgeon.

Good luck and stay with us for support...

Jim

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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

Hi AEG - We opted for laproscopic and understand it to be less invasive and a bit quicker in the healing process. We are 7 months post surgery and although total sexual function hasn't returned are finding good results with the Trimix injections to obtain erections. Bob has not had any pain with his orgasms at all.

Good luck!
;o) Linda & Bob

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Bob (60) had laproscopic prostate surgery on Sept 27, 2006 - 2/12 malignant biopsy samples - gleason 3 + 3 = 6.  Follow up PSA results and pathology results received Nov 14th are NO MORE CANCER!  Gleason changed to a 3 + 4; cancer completely confined to prostate; (even a second more aggressive, previously undetected cancer)      PSA UNDETECTABLE November 2006 AND February 2007.   

AEG,

Let me tell you our experience and try to shed some light on why we went the Da Vinci route. To answer # 1, we too were told by our local doctors that open was better. But when we started to research the differences, and after talking to doctors who would not have had anypart in either surgery, we liked the da vinci. For Kurt it meant getting back to work sooner, but more importantly, getting back into the kids active lives quicker. (we have two sons, 14 and 10) He also liked the shorte cath time, 7 days. What scared us was the lose of feel. I watched 2 da vinci surgeries in which they talked about the inhanced view from the magnification. That ended that worry for the most part. We had to travel out of state for the da vinci, but would not trade our experience for anything other than this not happening.

#2. I am assuming you are wanting to know what it is like for the wife, in the aftermath. It is HARD. I have had to deal with Kurt being short with me for nothing, to decreased help with the kids and household, to just being upset and asking me constantly if I still love him. Half the time, I can't go 10 minutes without him trying to touch me all over, and the other half, he will not come near me. We are still new to this side, only 5 weeks out, but this is what our life is now like. So, spiritually, we are fine. Emotionally and mentally, it is day to day. I love my husband and want to do everything possible to help him back, but honestly, sometimes I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. But, it is getting better. Communication is the key.

#3. He has had, or says he thinks he has had an orgasm. "not painful" he says, "just different". As for sexual function, see #2. Frustration!!! But, our doctor had to cut some nerves and said he expected only 50% at 8 weeks. With full recovery expected overall. I KNOW we will get there, just takes time. Not to scare you, and maybe this response should be on our journey page and not here, but I didn't expect this side to be this hard. BUT, we are Cancer FREE!!!!!!!

#4. I have no idea. Kurt had bone scan and CT scan here. Doc in texas did ultrasound before surgery and it was invasive, but can't help on MRI.

Please tell us where you are located, PSA level, and stage if you know it. This will help in others giving you info. Also good to know husbands age and general health. And sorry you are joining our group. Courtney

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Kurt & Courtney