PSA Results - 10 Years Post-Surgery

All -

This is my annual post re my PSA test results.

Ten years post-surgery I am still undetectable.

Briefly:

date of robotic-assisted surgery = July 2008, when I was 56 years old
all post-surgery PSA test results have been undetectable
post-surgery Gleason score = 4 + 3 (but my medical center grades differently than others - most pathologists would have graded it 3 + 4 because the primary/dominant pattern was a 3)
no positive margins; no seminal vesicle involvement or extra capsular extension; no lymph node involvement

urinary incontinence: I have had around a dozen "accidents" in 10 years, all within a couple of weeks after the catheter was removed. I then instituted an "8:00 p.m. Rule" - that is, no eating or drinking after 8:00 p.m. - and I haven't had any problems since. I never did any Kegels, before or after surgery.

sexual performance: I believe I am functionally impotent, but since there is no woman in my life, who knows/cares?

Since my last post I have written and published a fifth book and am working on a sixth. I love being retired.

I post annually only to let people starting out on this prostate cancer journey know that my "career path" is a very common one.

My only advice is to get the most experienced doctor you possibly can and even then be your own best advocate. I interviewed several doctors before I found a doctor with no bedside manner but with massive experience. Several of the doctors whom I rejected yelled at me because they didn't like being questioned, but I am not in the business of making doctors happy. My doctor was very expensive and I had to travel, but I knew I had to get this decision right. Never let anyone rush you, especially people wearing white coats.

Best to all,

Zen9

Congratulations! I agree with your advice on a doctor. I'm at 6 and 1/2 years undetectable and have every reason to believe that will, like you, continue. Good luck!

Tom

Excellent story and wonderful results!!!

Keep up the annual posts. Congrats!
Bob

Thanks, garyi, F8, Break60, and Tim G. My best to each of you. I remember F8 and Tim G from the "early days," but I don't hang around here much any more.

In 2008 I was also diagnosed with colon cancer; after I pressed him hard for a no-nonsense prognosis, that doctor told me that I had around a 5% chance of being alive in 5 years.

Well ... I'm still here; he isn't (auto accident in 2015). The Universe certainly is weird.

Peace,

Zen9

one hand clapping