Prostrate Biopsy

Just an update i had my Biopsy this morning and have to wait for the results but the PSA levels are now down from 9.75 to 6.05, not sure why except I have cut down on drinking spirits and carbonated drinks, and only drink tea in the mornings.
Hoping the results are as positive as the PSA levels

Ok got the results of my Biopsy today and was told I have a small tumor on my right side, and now before they decide what is the best treatment they want to establish how advanced the cancer is, so I am to have an MRI scan.

They said once that is done they can give me the best treatment, but didn't expand as to what that treatment might or could be.

Can anybody offer me further advice please thanks

No sorry I completed forgot to ask and as I am using a Spanish Hospital the language is a bit of a problem. But after my biopsy my PSA levels had dropped to 6.05, but I guess they would not being carrying out an MRI scan if it was nothing to worry about.
Damn wish I had remember the Gleason score

Wow very fast over here just had a phone call MRI scan tomorrow (19/7) at 10am talk about quick only got the results of the biopsy on the 14 July. Very efficient system over here in Spain.

But not really looking forward to it, from what I have been told it's not that nice an experience, but very necessary

HappyH, I too live in Spain and when I went to the hospital for the results of the Biopsy they gave me a sheet of paper with all the results. Did you not get this. If you are not on private insurance, where you should be given a translator I would take someone who can translate for you as this is too important to get things wrong. Good luck with everything and any help I can give please just ask.

Just an update, today I saw my specialist who informed me that the results of the MRI were good in that he can clearly see the tumour on the top edge of my prostrate, and he is certain that it is contained wholly within the prostrate itself and given my age (65 on Sunday) he has recommended surgery to remove the tumor.
I was informed about the possible after effects of having either the surgery or radiotherapy and I chose to have the surgery as it was his recommendation, but I don't think he mentioned having to have a catheter fitted, but on reading about the operation it seems I will have to have one, he did mention about the possibilities of incontinence problems and erectile dysfunction, which I find a little scary but obviously it's something I will have to overcome.
Must say that I am a little shocked that all this is the result of just a routine blood test that my new Spanish Doctor insisted I had when I first signed on at his surgery, I suspect had I still been living in the UK I would not even know I had prostrate cancer, as I had no symptoms and no need to ask for the blood test. I think this is probably the most scary thing and how many men of 64-65 might have the problem and not know about it.
Apprehensive but feeling positive that I am still going to lead a normal life afterwards for many years to come

Many thanks Sandra for you kind words. I am sure all will be well for me.

Thanks Chris
I hope you are now fully recovered from your RP, can I ask how long after the op did you feel back to your normal self?
Did you get any problems once the catheter was removed? They warned me about incontinence problems.
I am hoping that as i am a relatively fit man for my age, (i have been keeping fit all my life up to just recently) and not quite 65 yet I will make a quick recovery and get back to my normal life.
Thanks again Chris

All the very best. Sounds like much more information provided re. DVD. I can not fault NHS, however in my opinion you have to ask a lot more. Yes, it is a major op. Consultant was talking about a day visit for me. ! Pushing it a bit. Da Vinci was an overnight stay. I assume you know 4 + 3 is potentially more serious than 3 + 4. Feel free to see my profile. Post op. analysis should give you a lot more information. You have been very fortunate and in good hands. May I ask did you find anything out about your surgeon or just 'went with the system' and was any nerve sparing undertaken.

I took a few weeks before I could tie my own shoe laces. I think this was more a result of swollen abdomen and digestive system more than sluggish. .. very little pain.

Again .. All the best.

Edited by member 05 Oct 2016 at 10:50  | Reason: Not specified

Hi robgsr I did not know anything about the surgeon so just went with the flow. I go back to see him on the 5 November and I now have many questions to ask that I should have done previously but now i know what to ask. I will ask what the result of the biopsy of the removed prostate is and as you stated yes 4+3 is worse than 3+4 so I my have been luckier than I thought.
Now on my 5 day after release from hospital and 10 day after surgery and each day I feel stronger, I am able to get out albeit with my catheter and managed to do a little light stuff around the home, make a cu of tea etc.
The catheter is beginning to irritate as is the staples (which will be removed on Tuesday) but overall i seem to be recovering steadily. Can't wait to get rid of the catheter and have been practicing the pelvic exercises in the hope of no problems when it is removed.
There is a fair amount of swelling along the incision line and a lot of bruises all over my body, don't know how I managed to get so many and where they are but a small price to pay for my life.
I will update on my progress and have written down my experiences and have offered them to this website for publication for others that are going through this experience in the hope to help others fully understand what is going to happen to them.
Thanks again Sandra
The main learning point is to ask and ask and ask questions.
Thanks again all and best wishes for you full recovery

It's now day three after the removal of my catheter and I seem to be getting some control back into my bladder movements. I am still leaking but only little dribbles, and i can urinate when I feel the need although the flow seems a bit week at times, however I do have the worry that occasionally there is blood at the start of my passing water, it's only a small amount and am not sure if this is just post operative so am looking for some advice.

There is also the residue of diluted blood on my pads occasionally too.

I would say that your diet after the removal of the catheter is also important, i have cut out all carbonated drinks and now do not take sugar in my tea (tastes horrible but I was really using too much artificial sweeteners). I have had the occasional glass of red wine, but not sure if this makes any difference. i drink lots of water.

But yesterday I drove my car for the first time and managed my first shower (yippee so relieved). Each day does seem to be better it's just this blood dribble that is a worry. Maybe i should go back to my doctors and seek advice.

Good advice but unfortunately I live in Spain so to get anything done I need to contact a translator first, but I will do that later today.
This is the frustrating bit not just when you don't live in the UK but getting advice without wasting the time of Doctors who are already too busy most days. I hate wasting their time just for a bit of advice, it's not like you can pick up the phone and just ring them for a chat.
Yes hoping I am following your lead. I am already looking at purchasing lighter pads for the day, although I noticed the pad was almost bone dry this morning, which is a result.
It's baby steps, take one day at a time, and realise small things that you are able to do are huge steps forward.
Thanks again

Thanks robgsr it is really great when you get such positive responses on here and encouraging to hear from others who have gone through my experiences.
Yes my wife is trying to slow me down as much as possible, must say it was great to get out and walk around the supermarket today pushing the trolley, but she would not let me unload and bag everything and take it back to our car or unload into the car. Nor allowed to unload and unpack it all once home. Could really get used to this Lol
Thanks again

I had a bad day yesterday, went to pass water very frequently, but the flow seemed week and had that feeling that I was dripping all the time, felt very uncomfortable and made me feel down as I seemed to have gone backwards in being able to control my bladder.

It's only four days since the catheter was removed and I know it is a long job but thought I would feel more in control. But other than that I feel better in myself but do get tired very quickly after just a short walk or having visitors.

Hope for a better day today.

It just seems like I have stopped progressing, even to the stage where I have more drops of blood in my urine at the start of passing water and especially during the night, where I can usually hold it for about three to four hours and when I go there is a few blood drops at the start of my urinating.

I suppose I am expecting progress to quickly but on some day it is hard to accept.

Yesterday (Saturday) I felt good and went for a walk, not to long, but i got tired very quickly, and came home but for the rest of the day the leakage was bad, so much so that I had to change my pad during the afternoon (not had to do that since the first day the catheter was removed), as the need to urinate was almost constant.

Although I can hold it in and try to do so, the dripping was totally uncontrollable,
and then during the night the amount of blood drips when passing water was much more than it has been so far.

This morning seems to be ok again.

Is there any information about post operative expectations? As I cannot seem to find any information about the drips of blood in my urine as to whether it is the normal healing process of the urethra healing, or something more serious that needs checking out?

It's now exactly three weeks since coming out of hospital, almost four weeks since the Full RP, and one week since the catheter was removed.
I am still on the injections to avoid blood clots, beginning to get painful when I inject but only a few more days to go.
I am managing a short walk each day but by early evening I am very tired, can't believe how relatively fit I was before the operation so i find it difficult to take it easy but my wife is so strong for me, great teamwork.
I go to the toilet twice during the night, and the flow is good but still with a few dris of blood, but the pad is almost dry.
During the day I can control my urges but any sort of exercise just moving around the house and I can feel the odd drip, and by the evening these drips seem to get more frequent and the pad is usually full by the time I change it for a clean one before going to bed.
I am still changing the dressing (the scar is around five inches long) daily and the scar is looking nice and clean although there is still some swelling around the middle of the scar area, but no seepage and it looks ok. I don't seem to have much feeling around the scar but I suppose this is normal after cutting through so much muscle etc. Not sure how much longer I need to keep dressing this area but will have to go back to my doctor to ask the question, as over here there really isn't any aftercare unless you make the approach and ask questions. Having said that I have no issues with the medical staff I have been under during this whole process.
I feel good in myself and feel stronger each day so all in all I am progressing steadily if a little slowly for what I want but as everybody says on here, it's a huge operation and I have to accept that progress can be slow.
Wish all of you speedy recoveries.
regards
HappyH

It is called adjuvant radiotherapy - having RT straight after RP as a belt & braces approach. In the UK it is usually used where there have been positive margins or where the first PSA test does not go below 0.1 or where the op suggested that it had spread locally. In your case, you are probably having it due to the question mark over the spermatic cord - it doesn't necessarilty mean you had a positive margin as well. Research in the UK on adjuvant RT has been so positive that a few hospitals (including John's) are running a trial at the moment where all men having RP are offered adjuvant RT if they want it.

You may be advised to have hormone treatment with the RT, or maybe not. That's something to ask when you go to the appointment.

The useful bits of information before you go to that next appointment - RT is given in doses called fractions - one fraction per day for usually (in England) 20 or 37 days. Each dose / fraction is measured in Grays (Gy) and men having 37 sessions would usually have 2Gy each time giving a total of 74Gy. Men having the newer dose might have 20 sessions of 3Gy which totals less Grays overall but the science means that it has almost the same cumulative effect. Whether you have 20 or 37 sessions (or something in between) does not indicate the seriousness of the situation - ie if you are recommended to have 37 sessions that doesn't mean you have worse spread than someone who only has 20.

Edited by member 17 Nov 2016 at 12:31  | Reason: Not specified

I know - I thought if the translator started talking about fractions and Grays you would think she had lost the plot!