Update on CJ - Is this all good? Think so!!

Hi All,

After 7 days since CJ got home (surgery was on 17th April 07),  and had the catheter removed, he hasn't used a pad yet, and is fully continent. Anyway, that's probably the only comment I can make on any of that as is still today only 14 days since his surgery. The radical prostatectomy done with the open method, with nerve and lymph sparing,  resulted in no swelling of the outer areas or discomfort. grateful for all this. Has anyone else shared this sort of good fortune? Just hard to believe it. Heard of excellent results with the divinci at times also, but has anyone shared this sort of good outcome with the open procedure?  May in time look back and see the other past threads.  Like I mean NO pads at all> None, not even at the catheter removal. Goinng to toilet more regularly so slightly less flow, but still more than the average actually so his bladder is definitely filling up completely.

We are still very grateful and relieved. It has been a horrific experience overall (emotionally) as you all would know (or many of you would know), but since the surgery,  all has been uphill (good for us). This board often contains necessary vital info, but I am looking for anyone who can tell me if this is all good? , and then I wil believe it....!!! We could not be more pleased with the outcome in our case to this stage (day 14).

Thanks for letting me know. Thanks for having us as part of the forum and for the helpful hints also - actually there were none we didn't use, apart from the rubbing CJ's legs, as I had the cream, but he was up and around so quickly, did not use it Mama Bluebird! The chair at home is great. CJ is not having problems sitting, but I have "padded" most surfaces anyway. The other great thing was that in the post op pathology report CJ's score was partially graded down from the biopsy original 4 + 3 = 7, to post op 3 + 4 = 7, and although still a 7 (expected for younger men I understand) is better than a 4 + 3... overall. I read it as such anyway. Do you agree? Just need some confirmation.

Anyway, not much more to say.

To friends, Greenacres congrat's on excellent recent happenings in your health!!! Tanya and Ken - izzyblizzy - at times have wanted to repond to you.  Have been following it all, but completely tied up to post anything extra. Hope your recovery is going well.  cheers to all however. Glad to be on that other side.

Lana (with CJ )

Lana and CJ,

That is all excellent news!! Sounds about as good as it gets!

Ken is still wearing a pad here (three weeks post-surgery today). But only minor dribbles once in a while. And is going less frequently. Gets up at about 5:30 AM to go still so not quite sleeping all through the night.

On the erection front, he is a bit "enlarged" in the mornings, but nothing really usable yet :)

Congratulations on CJ's progress!!

Tanya

Lana and CJ,

Congratulations on such a wonderful outcome. One of the best continence recovery experiences I have ever read about from open surgery.

Joe

Thank you everyone. This is all very reassuring. Just checked the report, and the tumor volume of the significant (larger) one was actually 0.2cm3 (3D volume estimate method) if someone can shed light on approximately how big this would be in relation to the size of a pea. That's about the only thing I can really understand in relation to tumours and size! And CJ will not see the specialist until early June for the first PSA, so can't ask until then. He (Surgeon) did verbally confirm "about 1/2 a pea maybe" but I tend to feel better with exact specifics. However it is confined which is the main thing.

Great to have all your reassurance on the continence issues, and CJ sends his thanks and regards also.  Thanks to Greenacres, Tanya, Susan, Joe and Bill once again. Have a great day. kind regards, Lana

Post Edited (creed_three) : 5/21/2007 4:03:08 AM (GMT-6)

One other small detail.... No, Mo means negative nodes and mets while Nx, Mx means not assessed or unable to assess at this time....which is probably true for such an early stage cancer. Good news all around actually!!!!

swim

Thanks Swim,

This is extra helpful. I'll have a look at the specifics now, as it was my terminology. However the lymph nodes were not removed and I understood that he at least assessed them, but that is something I will check up on. Re the mets, CJ had a abdo CT and bone scan early on which showed no evidence of metastatic disease - again, thank goodness. So thanks again. I will alter the specifics as its amazing how complex this all is, but important to use the correct terms for preciseness. You seem very knowledgeable Swim- thanks again.

Courtney. Hope Kurt is doing well too. Re. children and their reactions. Our son knows all now. He does not seem in any way traumatised and is looking forward to coming home. It was the right decision to send him to stay away for a little while for us, so it all balances out in the end.

cheers, Lana

Post Edited (creed_three) : 5/21/2007 4:05:59 AM (GMT-6)

Lana & CJ,

Congrats on your good report! As stated before, 3+4 is better than 4+3
And the continance... Gives us more of an optimistic feeling.

We are about a week behind you (4/24) and go in tomorrow to remove catheter and go over actual pathology report.

God Bless!

Hi ~ Lana, CJ, & J   Great postings!!.... Great News!!!!! Thinking of you and wanted you to know! Your signature (hey it changed!!!)   is (was).... fine!!  hee hee Put it back!!  They will let us know when they start inforcing the 10 line rule... until then... this information is important!!! for all of us. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   Creed_three Husband CJ (49 years) diagnosed Dec 2006.  In 1 x (5%) core of 12 samples. Other 11 samples were negative. Gleeson 4 + 3 = 7, revised to 3 + 4 = 7 at post op pathology. PSA 3.5.  open Radical Prostatectomy, with nerve sparing microsurgery performed at St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst (Sydney) Australia on Tuesday 17th April 2007.  No spread outside prostate in any areas, negative margins including apex and bladder base. Seminal vessicles clear. Tumour extent (size) 0.2cm3. No nerve/lymph involvement. No vascular infiltration seen. Additional tumor not identified at biopsy located near smaller located lesion,  picked up post op same general area. Good post op pathology report overall. Catheter out and fully continent on 24th April, 07, and for the following 14 days to now. Not using pads. Next PSA June 07. Going for a ZERO!! Married to Lana (who carries a purseful of pads just in case.. ) & dad of 7 year old boy, J ( written at day 15).

Lana and CJ, I'm so happy for you that all is going well. it can only get better from here on. yes, those children of ours are very observant and know more than we realize. kat

Creed,

Wow, .2cc3 tumor volume? Tis the first time I've seen that part! .2cc3 falls within the "insignificant" amount of cancer group. CJ has got an angel watching over him :>) His body told him very early there was trouble brewing. Not only is CJ good...he's really good! With a starting PSA of 3.5, having no PSA is what can be expected today postoperatively. Good cause to celebrate a great big WHEW !

Swim

CJ - wonderful news all around! So glad to hear this and wishing you a lifetime of ZEROOOOOO's.
;o) Linda & Bob

    Great News...especially on the incontenance. I wish I could have been one of the lucky instead of one of the worst leakers here!

    The ony thing good I have going are 0.00 psa's

    Count your blessings!

    KW

Hi CJ and Lana,

Nice to see your post and the great news. Sounds clean and good to go. Great...

Jim