/As I've noted here and there, the biopsy came back with one positive and others considered precancerous.  Prior to meeting again with the doctor I guessed that the Gleason would be 7 and the stage would be T2a.  The Gleason was 6 and the stage was T2a.  I let him go through his whole routine for an hour and, as it was 6 pm and his wife had already called once, he looked at his watch and asked me to let him know my decision on treatment within a month.  I told him that I had known and understood already everything that he had told me and I asked him when he wanted to do the surgery.  The date is not definite yet, but will be around the end of September or early October.  I was pleased to hear that I may be out of work for only 3 weeks instead of a couple of months.  I do not participate in any other forum other than HW, but I occasionally, in researching some topic for work, read parts from other forums.  Nowhere else have I seen the level of knowledge and empathy that 99% of the members of this forum exhibit.  To participate in this forum is like sitting down with a group of friends.  Thanks.

Gtmriviera,

Gtmriviera,
All any of us can do is listen to our diagnosis, investigate, weigh the options, and make the best decision for us. You have done all that and I'm sure you have now started on your way to successful sugery, and full recovery. Cedar is right, you might want to allow for an additional week or two rest post-surgery. Do not overdo too quickly. If you have followed this forum, you've read many cases where folks who have done too much-too soon have stalled their progress.
Wishing you the best,
Mike

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June 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical
October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist
November 2005 - Biopsy negative
July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical
October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1
November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive
December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative
January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear.
February 2007 - Three to four pads a day, no erection with viagara.
March 2007 - Down to two pads a day, had first intercourse with Erecaid pump and bands, otherwise still flat tire.
April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02 and a great relief! Down to one pad a day. Still unable to achive erection without pump.
May, 2007 - Still one pad a day, even try a smaller pad on occasion. Slight improvement on the ED.
July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 still Non-Detectable. One small pad/day for a few drops only! No change in ED.
"If patience is a virtue, I feel like the most virtuous guy on the planet!"

Hi gtmriviera,

Sounds like you've done your research and like everyone says "don't look back, don't doubt yourself and move forward". It's a good thing to reclaim control.

The people who post here are a wealth of information and concern. The environment here allows us to express ourselves and to reach out to others. It seems every time I come here I learn something - now that's an uncommon thing!

I wish you well,
Susan

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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
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 Distant lymph node involvement Start HT Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07: PSA 0.3
06/06/07: PSA 0.1

Hi gtm.  My Dr told me not to think about going back to work for 6 weeks.  My real boss ( The Wife and love of my wife), told me when I told her I was thinking about going back at 4 weeks,( you remember what the Dr told you was 6 weeks).  The problem I had was that I felt very good, and with that I overdid it before I realized it and made myself sick.  So I stuck with the advise of my Dr, wife, along with the help of Bluebird and Buddy and have been back to work 3 weeks.  I still get tired in the afternoon some days but feel I am getting better all the time.  Good luck to you and don't be afraid of the surgery.  A skilled surgeon is a wonderful friend.  Good luck to you and let us all know how you are doing.

 

Mika- mvesr

WOW!  You guys are great, and my "boss" will definitely agree with you I'm sure.  I do have a desk job, although if you think that is easy I invite you to keep up with me for a few days.  I will see how it goes and I'll be back when they see me.  Here's a little question that I thought of this afternoon while cruising through the new Target.  What can I wear at home immediately after the surgery?  Will I be limited to a bathrobe?  Do I need some very loose fitting shorts?  As things go this is a minor matter, but something that I may as well be planning for.  I would appreciate your input. 

gtm,

There are threads on the forum concerning what to wear home from surgery. In my case I bought a couple of pairs of the net type of basketball pants that you can get at sporting goods stores like Dick's. They have baggy legs and a waist that is loose and you can tie it for comfort. The two considerations that you must have in mind is that you will have a catheter hooked to a bag that is attached to the inside of your lower leg. Also, your abdomen will be sore and bloated. You do not want to wear anything that puts pressure on it. Shorts are okay as long as you do not have anyone else around looking at the bag. I found it more friendly to have the longer pants as they hide the bag and no one even knows you have it. My daughters and friends came around a lot those first few days. Also, you will be out walking the day you get home. I walked a mile the first day home but I can tell you that was too much. I took a robe to the hospital and never got it out of the carry-on bag. There is no way you can wear a robe with all of the tubes and the pulsating air bags that will be on your legs to prevent blood clots can make you warm. I found out just a few hours before being discharged that they can control the temperature on those bags and because most people come out of surgery cold they place them on warm. I was the opposite and it was great when they switched them to cool.

Tamu

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Diagnosed 7/6/06, 1 of 10 core samples, 40%,Stage T1c, Gleason 3+3

Hi gtm. I found some of those pants that button up on both legs. This is what I wore home from the hospital. I found them to be hot in this weather, so I starting wearing gym type shorts with the elastic in the waist and the tie to make them tighter or looser which ever is needed. I didn't like the leg bag and used the big bag with the tube coming out the bottom of the shorts. I am not worried about fashion and don't really care what other people think. I went out to restaurants like this, some people looked but most did not pay any attention to it. I have a desk job but drive, walk around the office and attend meetings all day and I am up and down which is tough on the leaking. I am getting better in that dept I think. I am on my one pad today and might not change it when I go to bed tonight, we'll see. Look at the responses and I think you will find a long list of helpful things to get when you come home from the hospital. They are all handy. Good luck to you on your journey.

Mika

Hi gtm -- Cedar Chopper hit the nail on the head, as far as I'm concerned. I hope you are back in action within three weeks, but as Cedar said, this particular surgery isn't overly painful or anything -- it just seems to sap the energy-- big time- at least in our cases.
Like Cedar, I was wondering at about six weeks out of surgery whether I'd ever feel like my old self again. Then, at week seven, I finally felt like my old energy level was returning. Things have only gotten better since.
Even sitting may be uncomfortable for you for a few weeks after surgery. So be prepared to bring a pillow to work..
Anyway, of all things, don't try to be a hero and rush your recovery. I tried that and paid dearly at about four weeks out.
Heal slow and heal well. Take it easy and give your body a chance to do what it does best. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us, thank God.
Best to ya my man,
Tom

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54 years old

PSA = First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1

DRE: Negative

Biopsy results 11/22/06 (6 out of 8 cores positive), both lobes, Gleason 3+3 = 6

Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007

Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear.

First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

Hello gtmriviera,

Your recovery will depend on a lot of factors: Age, physical conditioning, body reaction to the surgery, etc. It's good that you have that positive attitude, and want to get back to normal asap. You must be careful however, and temper your enthusiasm with good common sense. I may be the "2006 Poster Boy" for bad judgement when it comes to doing excessive activities before being properly healed. The consequences were severe, and set my recovery back 6 months + 2 additional surgeries. All because of poor judgement, foolishness if you will, and it was totally avoidable.

So my advice is take your doctor's warnings to heart, and be patient. You will heal quick enough. Most of the guys were able to get back to work within a month at least on a light schedule. I wish you good luck, and a speedy recovery.

Glen

 

     Hi  ~ gtmriviera &  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!!!

 

Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers as you 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!! :)

---

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

J  We invite you to visit our personal thread:  Click Here:  “Our Journey” ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

 

Excellent advice from all.  Thank you so much.

Everyone gave me great advice and now I will try to do the same.  I didn't start the thread, but you may want to read "The Importance of Being Your Own Advocate".