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Posted 8/13/2011 4:55 PM (GMT -5)
I haven't visited for quite a while. I see a few familiar names and many new ones. Plus ca change ....

I recently received the results of my PSA test done three years after my robotic surgery = still undetectable.

I realize that this is just the luck of the draw; also, that I certainly haven't "beaten cancer" nor am I "cured" - I know better than that!

As to side effects: I have been dry since a few hours after the catheter was removed ... OK, very occasionally a few drops at night, but certainly nothing serious. I suspect that I might have recovered at least some of my ability to perform sexually, especially if I were to take Cialis - but I haven't had a partner in over three years (and having lost my job, believe me, there are no prospects), so I really don't know. Those of you who are going through this with a loving wife, girlfriend, partner, or significant other have no idea how lucky you are at least in that respect.

I mainly wanted to let newbies know that it is very possible to get treated for prostate cancer and have good test results three years after treatment.

And having said that, I will now resume radio silence.

Good luck and good health to all.

Zen9

Pre-surgery PSA = 4.1 ng/ml
Surgery performed 8/08 at age 56
Post-surgery pathology: negative margins, organ-confined; Gleason 4 + 3

P.S. Mel (compiler), I was especially dismayed to read about your latest PSA test results. I will meditate on many years of good health for you.
Posted 8/13/2011 5:09 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Zen 9,

I am one of the newbies and waiting for my invitation to the zero club when I take my first post robot PSA in 2 weeks. This forum has been great for me and only wish I had found it earlier in my PCa journey, but already have made many new friends.

You are so right about  going through this with a loving wife as I can say the only positive thing to come from having PCa is that it has made my wife and I closer than ever.  I am truly lucky.

Terry

Posted 8/13/2011 6:15 PM (GMT -5)
zen,

long, long time no see. good to see you report in. congratulations on that zero at your 3 year mark, that should be an encouragement to our new friends here at hw. sorry about your employment situation, its rough out there. sorry about your single status, and yes, i am always grateful to have a strong, caring, loving wife, still sticking to a mess like me after 37 years. i wish only good things to happen to you.

david in sc
Posted 8/13/2011 7:19 PM (GMT -5)
Zen, it is great to see your report. I am just behind you in line with the vampire and hoping form my 3 year zero in October. I to remember you well. I will tell you having my great wife by my side was just great waking in all this confusion. In Nov. we will click off 40 years.

Do stay a bit with us. Always nice guys that we knew when visiting.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 8/13/2011 8:54 PM (GMT -5)
Great report Zen and always good to hear from you.

Michael

Posted 8/13/2011 8:55 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Zen 9

Conrgatulations, you seem hopefully to have a a "cure". Well done.

I am also a newbie (just behind Terry(The Water Guy)). Hope we get a similar outcome in a few years time.

Posted 8/14/2011 2:08 PM (GMT -5)
zen, i'm the newbie you referred to in yr post. thank you!! recently told of my pc and they rec the robot to go in and remove my problem. so as i search for solutions and read of the others who have gone before me it truly helps. i'm 55, no history in my fam, gleason score of 6. i'll be watching and have to make a decision soon. .....peace
Posted 8/14/2011 5:32 PM (GMT -5)
Zen,
congratulations to your long time in the zero club. Like you I'm fast approaching 3 years in the zero club but I'm left without any sexual function. At my age I don't really care about that. There's just so much else to do.

Bob
Posted 8/14/2011 7:05 PM (GMT -5)
Zen, good to hear from you and to read your good news. Thanks for updating us.....
Posted 8/14/2011 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
Zen - congrats on the three year zero club membership -
-whether a cure or not - it is my understanding that going past the second year mark is a very good sign - and here you are at number three -
-wishing you peace and contentment - and many thanks for your support here at HW and places unknown...
hugs,
Bronson
Posted 8/14/2011 9:14 PM (GMT -5)
Zen9, great to see your name up in lights -- well, on my back lit computer screen anyways. And, especially good to read of your three years of zeros. I've just completed my second such and hope to join you in the three year club in 12 months.

As for radio silence --- don't be too silent. Keep in touch. You hear! (As a Texas business partner is wont to say.)

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 8/14/2011 9:28 PM (GMT -5)
Ah yes, zen, I remember you, I communicated with you when I made my fateful decision back in 09/08 to have robotic surgery. Like you I have had zeros ever since. Like you I have had no incontinence. And unlike you I have had a wife of 30 years. I'm not going to sugarcoat it though. My marriage has certainly suffered over the past 3 years.  Although trimix does provide good erections, sometimes no orgasms occur with lots of effort (like today for example). This leaves a feeling of emptiness on both of us. My wife becomes scared to ask for sex and i get scared to make the effort. Of course I attribute the lack of orgasm to low testosterone levels with low desire. I only discovered this on workup for prostate ca. In February I go for yearly psa with a new, local urologist. Maybe now I feel safe enough to do some T supplementation to get me back feeling better. Still scared of the cancer coming back. Good to hear from you, we all have our crosses to bear it seems.........
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