The week of Da Vinci.

Kmac, sorry your dad is experiencing so much discomfort - some men have virtually no problems and so have more than their share. Hopefully dad will feel better real soon - having the catheter removed should be a big morale booster for him.

If I may point out something: I think you are confusing the Gleason score with a PSA score. Your post states that his pathology says Gleason 7, which is down from the 7.6 he had before surgery. The 7.6 is likely his PSA reading before surgery - this was done through a blood test. The Gleason score comes from the biopsy and surgical pathology report. Gleason scores are comprised of two numbers: is your dad a Gleason 3+4 or a Gleason 4+3? The difference is in that first number: were most of the cancer cells a Gleason 3 or a Gleason 4 (it's confusing, I know).

Overall, the report sounds pretty good but do make sure you and your parents have a copy of the pathology report and that it is explained to you by the surgeon.

Some doctors like to wait about 8 weeks after surgery to check PSA, and some will do a test around 1 month after surgery. I expect that your dad will have his PSA checked when he sees the doctor in 5 weeks.

Please let us know how things go.

Kmac,
I'm sorry that your Dad is having so much discomfort, We all go through it. Surgery and its effects don't end all it once. Tell your Dad that he will feel a lot better once the catheter is removed. If he is lucky he will have no incontinence problems, most of us do for a while but that eventually will clear up. ED is another story. Sephie is correct in telling you that you may have confused the PSA number with the Gleason score. Please let us know what the pathology report comes out. By the way, my doctor did a PSA test after 8 weeks, it allows for all the PSA already in your blood to go away.

Kylie,

The pain and grumpiness that go along with recovery are expected - I was not a good patient at that point - just remember, remind both of them - NEVER put off calling the Doc if anything strange is going on, regardless. "Being strong" is not a plus at this point in the process.

I know your dad appreciated you being there, but he will say it was for your mom, and perhaps even if you don't realize it, she probably got more strength from you being there than he did. Being grumpy and in pain makes him oblivious to a lot in those weeks after surgery.

My best for travel and recovery.

Hi Kylie

You may not feel like it has been the case, but I'd say that your dad has basically had an average experience so far.

Discomfort is not the same as pain. That catheter just feels unpleasant and gets in the way and stops you being able to lie comfortably to sleep properly etc, and once it goes it is a big difference, even if uyou then leak like crazy to start with the discomfort factor odf that is ojn the outside of your body wheras the catheter was so uncomfortable on the inside too.

May I make a bold suggestion for the benefit of you, dad, mum etc. In the interests of managing the number of different things that a family can worry about at one time. Have a word with the surgeon/docs re the timing of the follow-up PSA test to see if it can be shifted a bit so as not to clash with your event.

(Saw fair bit of WA on Dutch TV last night as they were showing one of those house-moving programmes from Britsih telly about Brits moving to OZ. I suppose I'd say that I'd love the space, but hate the heat. When my wife's family emigrated to OZ in 1970 by boat they stopped in Perth, it's changed a bit since then)

Take care. And enjoy the bump

Alf