New Here

Yup, I was diagnosed in May at age 43 and I freaked a bit but nothing I can do except move forward. I have scheduled the Di Vinci surgery July 31 with Dr. Albala at Duke. I have read through the posts about incontinence and I'll have to say seeing that I workout 3-4 times a week I'm worried that might end for good. I surf as well but not too worried about being able to continue that. Any thoughts?   

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Age 44

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3+3=6

Stage 2

Da Vinci scheduled 7/31/07 @ Duke

 

Sorry to say welcome,

But we are here to help each other!

Had Davinci April 17th, Hospital stay was 24hrs
Spared nerve bundle on right side.

In my 6th week, still dealing with incontinence.

As all say here..Patience is the key..be very patient!

Ask all the questions you like..there are no stupid ones! seriously!!

Good Luck..and God speed to recovery!

Dave M.

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Age: 52

Male, Hispanic   

11/10/2006

PSA 10.2 - Discovered during Annual Physical with Family Doctor

Referred to Urologist Surgeon specialist

Free and total PSA - 10.9

Biopsy ( sent to John Hopkins pathology) - 2 of 16 positive on left and right apex of prostate

Left - GS 3+3=6, Right - GS 3+3=6

Davinci assisted laparoscopy radical prostatectomy on Apr. 17, 2007 -Complications due to extreme unusual size of prostate. Normal Prostate = 20 to 31 grams. Mine = 120 grams (not enlarged, but genetic growth large)

Nerves on right side spared.

All Lab's clear.  No Cancer outside prostate

Cystogram Apr. 24 2007- Slight leakage at anastomosi negligible.

Catheter in for 1 week  Removed Apr. 24, 2007

Second post op office visit on set  for May 30th.

    

Thanks for all the support and words of advice. I know it will be hard to be patient but I have a great support group to help me, plus being 20 minutes away from Duke helps a ton too.

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Age 44

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3+3=6

Stage 2

Da Vinci scheduled 7/31/07 @ Duke

 

Welcome kdnole....
Sorry to say, but youth is in your favor. I had open surgery (2/14/06). and believe continency problems seem to be less severe with most DaVinci pro-
cedures.

Keep Positive....Vet

I am so glad I found this forum!!!!!

I've been searching for something similar to the forums my wife and I frequent for her autoimmune disease Sceloderma (when it rains it pours) but I had absolutely no luck. I'm glad I stayed "patient" and persistant and found Healing Well. Doctors should recommend it, and yes I will be here long after I'm cancer free. 

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Age 44

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3+3=6

Stage 2

Da Vinci scheduled 7/31/07 @ Duke

 

kdnole, sorry you are joining our group. I assume that by saying you are a stage 2, you mean T2, which means either it is on both sides, or was felt during your DRE. My husband was a T2c, PSA 4.1 and gleason 6. He also is in his 40's. He had da vinci in March and has had little difficulty with "wetting his pants" as he calls it. He even went all day this weekend without a pad and played golf. No leaks. He does wear one pad daily to catch the occasional leak. Start your kegal exercies now and you will be one step ahead. Kurt did them everytime he used the restroom up until the surgery and then 2 times a day following. Keep us posted, and we will be thinking of you and your wife. Courtney

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Kurt & Courtney

47 year old

Great Health prior to dx

Dx on 1/29/07

PSA 4.1

Gleason 3+3=6, both lobes

Stage T2c, I believe

Tumor involves 20% of cores, both lobes

Live in OK

Da Vinci scheduled 3-14-07 in Austin

Post-Op  Gleason 6, Stage t2c nx mx  YAAAAA HOOOOOO! 

1st PSA Post OP  Undetectable!!!!!!  OFF THE CHART

2nd CT scan, to recheck enlarged lymph nodes not related to PCa NO CHANGE relook in 6 months

Hi   ~   kdnole   &   Loved Ones,             A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!          We know ~ we can “all” make “Your Journey” smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined!  You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share...   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!   Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue to move forward. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You” It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.   (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :)

Yes, I am definitely a T2 because it was found on both sides during the biopsy. I don't remember the percentage but I'm sure if my wife's reading this she'll remember.

Hey mvesr - I was told Dr. Moul is the man to see for the open procedure. We live in North Raleigh about 20 min. away from Duke so we are blessed in that case. My Urologist Dr. Bianchi (Duke as well) highly recommended Albala but told us there might be a wait to get scheduled for surgery. It worked out well because I'm scheduled just after we get back from the OBX for vacation.

Bluebird - So you're saying use the stand up machines (i.e., eliptical, treadmill) are better to due then say bikes. What about ab excercises?

I've done kegel excercises for years so I'll continue, and now everytime I urinate I start and stop the flow.

Another question for the group. I like beer and the occasional glass of wine. I saw what happened to my father when he drank after his surgery, but he drank a lot. What are you all's thoughs?     

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Age 44

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3+3=6

Stage 2

Da Vinci scheduled 7/31/07 @ Duke

 

Hi kdnole,

I like beer & wine too, and I have no problems when I have just a couple. Everyone will be different when it comes to alcohol so ask your doctor. I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy beer & wine in moderation within a reasonable time after healing.

Glen

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Diagnosed at age 60

PSA went from 2.2 to 3.8 in 14 months

2 of 14 cores positive at 10%

Gleason 6(3+3), negative DRE, neg. boundaries

DaVinci surgery on 02/23/06

 

Post Edited (spinbiscuit) : 6/5/2007 3:17:12 PM (GMT-6)

Dear kdnole. I was impressed with Dr. Albala also. Don't have any idea about his schedule but I found Dr. Moul to be the most professional Doctor I have ever been in contact with. The entire staff at Duke were extremely professional. All you have to do is look around the facility and realize that are medial professionals. I know my way around Raleigh after retiring from the state. It will be good to be that close to Duke. Please stick with this forum, there are some very caring people here. Let me know if you have any questions about Duke. Have a great time at the Outer Ban ks. We are going to a conference at Atlantic Beach in July and looking forward to being there.

mvesr

Dear KDNole, You're going to be happy with the Da Vinci surgery. I'm post surgery 3+ months. The leakage isuues I've had have ranged from minimal for the first 3 weeks to WHAT"S the problem for 4 to 5 weeks then I can handle this issue the rest of the way. I know everyone is different but the few guys I've heard of who had Da Vinci surgery faired pretty well. I'm back at the gym now 4 times a week. I do have some stress leakage, drippage really, with coughing, sneezing and laughing hard. I used pads for about four weeks but not until I started back to my normal life. The first 2 weeks fooled me because I was taking it easy, not too much physical stress=not too much leakage or dripping in my case. Once I started back to my normal life I had to use pads for 4 to 5 weeks. Now if I think about it I can "clinch a muscle" and no leakage. I don't always remember to do this but I'm getting better. My biggest disapointment is with orgasm/erections that have been much less than anyone disclosed to me pre-surgery. My Doc says things will improve within the next 6 to 9 months and I believe him. I just wasn't prepared for the lack of feeling/orgasm and erection difficulties. I have to say I'm on blood pressure medication which has had an ill effect on erections to start with. So I'm sending my best wishes to you for a positive outcome and we just have to keep a positive mental attitude through the whole ordeal. Send me your address I'll send you the balance of my pads. I have no use for then anymore and they shouldn't go to waste. All the Best Wises to you, Burt Age 51 Gleason 3+3 PSA from 3.2 to 4.3 in one yr Biopsy 11/06 DRE negative 4 of 12 cores positive, one lobe, less than 10% Inflammation only second lobe Stage T1C Clinical Dx PSA prior to surgery: 3.9 Da Vinci Prostatectomy 2/27/07: PCa in BOTH lobes 5-10% of gland Gleason 3+3 Negative tissue margins Bladder, seminal ves, vas deferntia negative Two inguinal hernia repairs Catheter removed 1 wk after surgery Full continence (no pad needed) 1 wk after surgery Full potency, 12 th day after surgery    

Hi, KD - jumping in late with a "glad you found us," too! I know you're worried most right now about leakage issues, which is very normal. We were one of the laggers, but found (in our case) that it didn't seem to matter much whether husb. continued with caffeine or not plus other liquids throughout the day. Leaking was regular regardless - don't know where it came from.

Our regular Happy Hours probably didn't help, either, but we decided some vices are meant to be kept! You'll be fine - and you're so fortunate in being close to a major center. (And I hope your wife is doing well through her chemo treatments, too.)

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Husband age 66

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

DaVinci Surgery 8/2/06 - Austin, TX w/Dr. Randy F.A.G.I.N.

T2a (at biopsy)

At pathology - 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 - Next one: 4/17/07

 

Idoun, that is great to hear. From what I was told I might be the late procedure as well so hopefully no big guys in front of me. I'm not too worried about any pain but I am glad to hear it is low and most important the incontinence is not too bad.

Your story is so helpful in preparing me for this journey and I hope and pray for your continued success with your recovery.

Thanks

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Age 44

PSA 4.8

Gleason 3+3=6

T2

Da Vinci scheduled 7/31/07 @ Duke