A brief intro and big thanks!

Hi everyone. Another hesitant member of "the club" checking in. I've been reading posts for some time and can't thank everyone enough for sharing their story and experience with PC.

I'll put some dates and stats together and post them in the signature block in a day or two (I've found other's information helpful and hope mine will serve the same purpose.)

The quick overview is that I've been watching my PSA rise for the last several years (I'm 63 y.o.), from under 1.0 increasing slightly every year until it reached 3.0 and then spiked to 6.7. That convinced me to have a biopsy done. The results came back positive, Gleason 3+3, and my education began. I read Dr. Walsh's book - Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer and whatever else I could find online regarding surgery vs. seeds vs. other types of radiation treatment. In the end I selected daVinci surgery as the best route for me.

Surgery was done earlier this month and happy to say that I have my first post-op appointment tomorrow to hopefully have the catheter removed and get a thorough review of the prostate biopsy.

General comments to date: I came through the surgery very well, and experienced far less pain than I expected. The whole ordeal, for me at least, has been one of discomfort rather than one out and out pain.

This forum helped me diagnose "bladder spasms", which I guess would be on the high end of "uncomfortable". When I discussed the symptoms with my doctor he prescribed Vesicare and within a day the spasms were much lighter.

So, if I'm blessed enough to be cancer free I can start work on any incontinence issues and ED. Thanks again to one and all for posting your experience, it's been very helpful. I'll post relevant updates as they happen - and I'm sure I'll have questions or ask for suggestions in future posts.

Well, A warm welcome to this club nobody really wants to join. Sounds like you are breezing through, so be sure to keep us updated on your progress. Best wishes for a good path rpt.

Welcome to the forum. We will be watching for your biopsy report hoping that you will have a good one.

It's great to see someone who was so well prepared for the surgery and who has such a great attitude afterwards. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, and good luck with the pathology report.

Welcome Amick, and here's to good news on your pathology report and post-surgery PSA!

Welcome Amick, good luck with your post-op pathlogy report, and your upcoming PSA Test!!!


LIVESTRONG!!