Just wanted to say - I just now got my first post-op PSA result - It is <0.03 or as low as that laboratory goes and so entirely 'undetectable' for the time being - which means - at least for now - I guess I can tick that 'cancer free' box once again - or that is what I'm telling my addled brain for the moment. Makes me smile in any event - that and the pathology report which says (a) there are no additional findings in terms of the cancer - (indeed, the lesion was noted to be smaller (at 7mm) than that which had been reported on either the initial MRI or biopsy); (b) was reconfirmed as T2 (i.e., entirely confined to the prostate) and - best of all - (c) ALL surgical margins were clear/negative including the tests on the clippings that survived surrounding the prostate itself.
I do have some very minor incontinence - but it is so relatively insignificant that it seems almost churlish to report it here as I'm definingly a one pad a day man and often find I can reuse the pads for a few days as there is no real need to toss them. On those occasions when it does arrive it is very gentle and but momentary drips. Today marks three weeks since I had the catheter removed. Also I have been surprised that I actually can awake with nocturnal erections. Not perhaps as stealthily firm as previously but definitely present - or so I think. Still, it is early days as of yet. Have been doing my kegels and pump action - although I don't it seems need the latter to increase the flow towards a purposeful increase. Still, I know they are reportedly important towards progress.
I went to a support group meeting on Saturday. Again it seems many of the men who had had RPs experienced inguinal hernias. Walking back to the train with one chap who has been very supportive in my own journey and who has had two hernias treated he said that he didn't think his at least were related to heavy lifting or undue exercise activities as he had been very careful. I looked up a report on this from 2020. Seems increasing age and a LOW BMI are prime factors towards the occurrence of such. I fear that would count me (as it did him) in as we would be members of both those risk clubs. Just wondered if this has struck true for others hereabouts. The cited American report can be found here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8881255/
Again, thanks to ALL here for your support. It means much. I will in future keep my profile updated so people can track my onwards journey.
Have a grand day.
Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 12:48
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