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Welcome aboard, K! 40 is awfully young, so I feel for you. Thankfully you were on point enough for your own health to get diagnosed at such a young age. Family history or just dumb luck? I was 51 and totally forgot that I had a family history of PCa and hadn't been seeing a doctor regularly. That changed in my late 40s, and when I turned 50 a routine blood test, where the doc mentioned "you just turned 50, so let's include a PSA this time" was a game changer. It could've been far worse for me.

I had 'open' surgery. A bit shorter time 'under' from what I understand, but the method wasn't as important as the doc's experience. I, too, don't like being put out. I always wonder if I'm gonna wake back up! Silly, I know.... I'm approaching the 6 month mark and doing OK.

Catheter: It's an annoyance, but not painful. I sure was glad that thing was inserted after I was out though! Be careful around bathroom/kitchen cabinet knobs, LOL! Those things are like 'catheter magnets!' On the plus side? You don't have to get up in the middle of the night to use the john.....

Getting the cath removed will be one of the greatest days of your like---trust me! Free at last, free at last!!! Seriously though, it's a necessary 'evil' but more of an annoyance than anything.

I had non Hodgkin's lymphoma when I was 18 so my doctors have started normal screenings about 10 years earlier it seems. There is no history of PCa or breast cancer in my family. I was just at my yearly physical with my PCP and was told my oncologist wanted to start these tests now. My PSA came back at 3.7 so they were going to put me on the watch list but when he did the exam he felt a bump and here we are now. I really have to thank my PCP for doing a good job as my urologist said. Most doctors because of my age probably wouldn't have felt where the bump was and just gave me a quick screening. Was sent to my urologist and he felt the bump too and off to a biopsy a few weeks later I went. Five of 17 spores taken had ca and I have a Gleason score of 7. It's weird though it seems as though with this type of ca no one seems in a great rush to get it out of there. I guess I am always trying to compare this with the Hodgkins and it's not as urgent? My urologist has done about 1200 of these surgeries and I am the youngest. Lucky me lol!

NHL @ 18. Wow. That's what our governor here in Maryland was diagnosed with. It appears your treatment for that has gone well. Don't fret too much over the surgery. Once you're out, you don't know what they're doing to ya anyways! They say PCa is a slow grower. My doc said I wasn't in imminent danger or anything, but he suggested I should do something within 6 months of the Dx. Was your G7 a 3+4 or 4+3? My wife would've had me on the table the following day if it were up to her, LOL!

Where are you located (you can add that to your profile)?

Dear Krg75,

Welcome to our band of brothers ... and sisters ! You're going to find a warm welcome here --- plenty of advice, suggestions, and support --- everyone working together to share their experiences.

I'm thankful that you "took the leap" and went from viewing to POSTING. That's a big step --- and now you're here with us --- I'm thankful that you have officially joined.

You've got quite a life story, dealing with illness, from when you were just 18 years of age. That is going to give you some special insight, strength, and the ability to cope --- you've already been in the battle a while and been resilient through the years. I admire the courage and fighting spirit you've had through all these years already ! The health challenges that you faced in the past are going to give you incredible strength to take on any new challenges that are put in your path, as you look ahead.

You are definitely on the "younger side" of things in your new diagnosis. I can relate to that feeling, diagnosed in 2013 with advanced stage prostate cancer, when I was in my later 40s. I've been pursuing treatments ever since, and thankful to be working full-time, staying active, volunteering, exercising, and keeping up with all my friends and family.

Yes, many times in the doctor's office, when I was first diagnosed, the nurses would ask, "You're a prostate cancer patient at your age? You seem so young !" Likely --- you are going to encounter the same type of experience yourself at your age --- just a friendly word to the wise --- but I just wanted YOU to know there are quite a few of us here that have been diagnosed in our 40s --- so you are NOT alone --- and we are walking right beside you in this new battle you are facing. We're all here to support you, Krg75 !

Meanwhile --- it sounds like you've got a confirmed course of treatment in place --- that's a huge step forward, just laying the ground work and getting a course of treatment set up.

I just wanted to welcome you today --- we're all here for you, you've already witnessed the incredible support that can be found here from your past reading on this site --- and now that you've posted, you've already gotten messages of encouragement and support --- that's the power of going from reading to POSTING.

Please keep in touch --- keep asking questions --- stay in touch --- and keep sharing YOUR story and YOUR experiences with us, Krg75 !

Sent with all my best,
"Cyclone" From Iowa State

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 1/23/2016 12:35:07 PM (GMT-7)

KRG, Welcome to our reluctant brotherhood, i truly feel for you, being diagnosed at such a young age.
But good that you were on top of it, and hopefully its taken out early, before it has a chance to become an issue.
I went through the surgery, and while the first few days or week, you will need to "tough it out", all things considered, it wasnt bad, and recovery really speeds up once the cath comes out.
As I'm sure you know, its highly unlikely that anesthesia will turn into a problem. Make that VERY HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
I took a couple of Xanax the night before the surgery (Surgeon said it was ok) and even one a night for a few nights before. Try it.

Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
BTW, it might be worth creating a signature in the My Profile section, with your vital biopsy stats, so people can see what you are dealing with without asking.

Krg75 - Welcome to HW, sorry you have to be here at your young age. As you have seen already there is a wealth of info and help. Please keep us posted on your journey. Take Care! -JR

The only thing worse than the pain of the pneumothorax is the pain of inserting the tube to reinflate the lung. You are lucky if you don't remember it.

Here's a few things that I found useful for the first week or two post RALP:

A small bucket to carry the cath bag in
Absorbent pads (the ones for doggie training are cheaper) for your chair and bed
A shower bench (I borrowed one)
triple antibiotic ointment and alcohol wipes to keep the tip of your penis clean and lubricated
A small table next to the recliner for my laptop, remotes, water jug
A good supply of dvd's or whatever
Snap-side basketball pants (I found them on eastbay)
I bought but did not use a donut cushion

Get depends pads (thick) and shields (thin) for use once cathy comes out.

Feel free to follow the link in my sig file for my story.....

Would suggest as much exercise and sex as you can physically endure. Seriously. From all the posts I've read about those who have gone through it, you are going to have to do without both for awhile, and both activities release endorphins that will help you feel a sense of peace, and help you sleep. Also, getting everything in place for your return trip and time at home should make you more at ease. Good luck with your surgery!
Beth

I am in Medford, Or. My doctor has 1200 surgeries 300 of those using RALP.

Best of luck to you KRG on your journey....sorry you have to be here, and yes, be diagnosed so young sucks...but has it's advantages too. You are still young and healthy, so you are stronger to fight.

It also looks like you caught it very early which is great for you!!! You have got some great advice from some brothers who have been through the same battle as you....I'm sure you'll come out the other side with no issue!!

Good luck to you, and please keep sharing your journey!

Jordan

Krg,
I had surgery but did not have general anesthetic. My surgeon preferred spinal block so the patient does not have the side effects of the general. You may want to ask your surgeon about it.
Worked great for me.