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User
Posted 06 Aug 2024 at 18:46

Diagnosed 4 weeks ago with prostate cancer. Advised best course of action is to have prostate taken out. Got appointment with surgeon next Tuesday to discuss the surgery and have pre-op. Feels weird at moment as everything carrying on as normal not sure how I should be feeling haven't even talked to my macmillon nurse as not really sure what I'm supposed to ask. Suppose the nearer the op gets but just keeping putting at back of mind watching the Euro's and now the Olympics. 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 07:40

Hi Gav, it's a shock isn't it and I don't think there's a right or wrong way to feel at this stage. I'm 57 so not too dissimilar in age. My philosophy was, now I know I've got it let's get on a deal with it, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it its just unlucky. 

One thing I've learnt from this forum is that everyone is so different with their recovery so don't beat yourself up if things are going slower, but celebrate your achievements along the way.

Each stage becomes the new normal for a period of time. The two week catheter period, the blood thinners, the pads etc but it all passes with time, and each no matter how small, is your own personal gold medal achievement. For example I'm 15 weeks post op and yesterday I did half a day with no pad in and was totally dry. It meant nothing to anyone else but to me that was pure joy, probably a silver medal, may go for the gold today 😂.

 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 13:49

Hi Adrian, thanks for asking and remembering. Yes, time flys doesn't it. Post op reports were that they think they got it all and no signs of spread to lynph nodes or nerve. First psa result undetectable and second one on 16th Sept so fingers crossed. I count myself very lucky but will always have it in my mind that it could be there. 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 20:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Gav, it's a shock isn't it and I don't think there's a right or wrong way to feel at this stage. I'm 57 so not too dissimilar in age. My philosophy was, now I know I've got it let's get on a deal with it, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it its just unlucky. 

One thing I've learnt from this forum is that everyone is so different with their recovery so don't beat yourself up if things are going slower, but celebrate your achievements along the way.

Each stage becomes the new normal for a period of time. The two week catheter period, the blood thinners, the pads etc but it all passes with time, and each no matter how small, is your own personal gold medal achievement. For example I'm 15 weeks post op and yesterday I did half a day with no pad in and was totally dry. It meant nothing to anyone else but to me that was pure joy, probably a silver medal, may go for the gold today 😂.

 

 

This is such a great reply Neil. Wishing you the warmest in your recovery.

 

Jamie.

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 07:26

10 days in now after a robotic prostatectomy getting better every day. Surgery went well had to remove a bit more than they thought but seen very pleased with how it went still waiting for follow appointment with the consultant 

The aftercare at the hospital on the ward wasnt great given no info had to beg for a doctor's note before I left had to  ring the helpline here a few times and they were great!

Huge relief when Catheter was taken out on Friday ( turns out it wasn't as bad as I thought!) they were brilliant so caring and explained everything not like the ward! Touch wood no leakage as yet but they were very happy with me when I left. So glad I started my pelvic floor exercises back in July after diagnosis. I am wearing pads when I go out and do find the urge to go comes on very quickly ( had to stop on way home from Hospital pretty sharpish!)

Been given 3 months supply of viagra ( 2 tablets a week) but had to invest in a blood pressure monitor yesterday before I start. Do these tablets help? To be honest getting an erection at the moment is the last thing on my mind.

Sorry for the ramble a very close friend contacted me on Friday to say he's going to have same operation and just seen the news this morning about Sir Chris Hoy let's keep spreading the word and go and get a test it's so simple!

Thanks

Gavin

Edited by member 21 Oct 2024 at 06:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 15:14

Gavj, keeping the penis healthy can be useful for urinating. Take the tablets and take anything else on offer. Never give up and have fun.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 22:44

Hi Gavin

Glad to read that the op went well and recovery is good so far, I’m just awaiting an op date and so it’s good to hear your experience. Great that you’ve made good progress on the bladder front, that worries me more than the potential ED. Having read the news about Chris Hoy today I feel more comfortable with my decision. I hope things continue to go well for you. 

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User
Posted 06 Aug 2024 at 22:15

Hi Gav

Im glad you have joined the group it is a great source of info and support.

My husband 58 had his radical prostectomy about 7 weeks ago and is recovering well his first PSA result has showed a result of >0.01 which is good . We have an appt soon to see the surgeon. 

He is a Gleeson 9 and that came as a shock to us.
Please ask away if you have any questions about the surgery. 
Do you know the results of your biopsy Gleeson score etc? 
Best Wishes 

M 

 

Edited by member 06 Aug 2024 at 22:17  | Reason: Spelling

User
Posted 06 Aug 2024 at 22:51

Welcome to the group Gav. You'll be fine mate. I had mine removed 3 weeks ago tomorrow, and am recovering pretty well. Any questions you want to ask please fire away.

Cheers

Ian.

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 00:37

Gav, sorry you find yourself here. Have a look at some of the posts in the attached, they are tips for your upcoming surgery.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30614-Surgery-this-week#post296122

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 06:12

Hi Gav,

Sorry that you've had to join the forum but I'm glad that you've posted. There are are many here that have had prostatectomies, and will be able to relate their personal experiences. I had the op 18 months ago and making a decent recovery. At 53 years old you are perhaps a little younger than most of us old fogies. 🙂

As Margot said it would help if you could give us details of your  PSA, Gleason score and cancer staging. You could put them on your profile.

It's great to have another sports TV fan here there are plenty of us. I find watching sport is one of the best ways to relax.

Best of luck mate.

Edited by member 07 Aug 2024 at 06:16  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 06:31

Hi all thanks for the welcome. Gleeson score was 7 if I remember correctly!PSA has been upto 4.8 but last one was 4.56.

It has been caught very early and all the specialists recommended removal. Got pre-op and meeting with surgeon  next week so probably really hit me next week. Doing my pelvic floor exercises every day. Worried about not being able to control bladder afterwards especially the catheter after the op.

How long is the recovery time on average, I have read no driving for 6 weeks. I know it's different for everyone

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 06:35

Thank you

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 07:40

Hi Gav, it's a shock isn't it and I don't think there's a right or wrong way to feel at this stage. I'm 57 so not too dissimilar in age. My philosophy was, now I know I've got it let's get on a deal with it, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it its just unlucky. 

One thing I've learnt from this forum is that everyone is so different with their recovery so don't beat yourself up if things are going slower, but celebrate your achievements along the way.

Each stage becomes the new normal for a period of time. The two week catheter period, the blood thinners, the pads etc but it all passes with time, and each no matter how small, is your own personal gold medal achievement. For example I'm 15 weeks post op and yesterday I did half a day with no pad in and was totally dry. It meant nothing to anyone else but to me that was pure joy, probably a silver medal, may go for the gold today 😂.

 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 08:57

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 For example I'm 15 weeks post op and yesterday I did half a day with no pad in and was totally dry. It meant nothing to anyone else but to me that was pure joy, probably a silver medal, may go for the gold today 😂

Hi Neil.

I remember you first posting, because your staging was T3a, the same as mine. It only seems like yesterday, not nearly four months ago! How was post op histology and PSA?

To continue you're Olympic analogy, recovery is more like a marathon than a sprint and has more ups and downs than the pole vault.

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 13:49

Hi Adrian, thanks for asking and remembering. Yes, time flys doesn't it. Post op reports were that they think they got it all and no signs of spread to lynph nodes or nerve. First psa result undetectable and second one on 16th Sept so fingers crossed. I count myself very lucky but will always have it in my mind that it could be there. 

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 20:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Gav, it's a shock isn't it and I don't think there's a right or wrong way to feel at this stage. I'm 57 so not too dissimilar in age. My philosophy was, now I know I've got it let's get on a deal with it, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it its just unlucky. 

One thing I've learnt from this forum is that everyone is so different with their recovery so don't beat yourself up if things are going slower, but celebrate your achievements along the way.

Each stage becomes the new normal for a period of time. The two week catheter period, the blood thinners, the pads etc but it all passes with time, and each no matter how small, is your own personal gold medal achievement. For example I'm 15 weeks post op and yesterday I did half a day with no pad in and was totally dry. It meant nothing to anyone else but to me that was pure joy, probably a silver medal, may go for the gold today 😂.

 

 

This is such a great reply Neil. Wishing you the warmest in your recovery.

 

Jamie.

User
Posted 07 Aug 2024 at 22:56

Hi Gav,

Getting rid of the mothership in your case sounds like a good choice. Although I didn’t have RARP(wasn’t offered to me or I would have😟) My experience talking to others who have been through it is to be patient with your recovery, and don’t get despondent if you seem to go backwards at some point as it seems to be quite common.

good luck!

Derek

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 07:26

10 days in now after a robotic prostatectomy getting better every day. Surgery went well had to remove a bit more than they thought but seen very pleased with how it went still waiting for follow appointment with the consultant 

The aftercare at the hospital on the ward wasnt great given no info had to beg for a doctor's note before I left had to  ring the helpline here a few times and they were great!

Huge relief when Catheter was taken out on Friday ( turns out it wasn't as bad as I thought!) they were brilliant so caring and explained everything not like the ward! Touch wood no leakage as yet but they were very happy with me when I left. So glad I started my pelvic floor exercises back in July after diagnosis. I am wearing pads when I go out and do find the urge to go comes on very quickly ( had to stop on way home from Hospital pretty sharpish!)

Been given 3 months supply of viagra ( 2 tablets a week) but had to invest in a blood pressure monitor yesterday before I start. Do these tablets help? To be honest getting an erection at the moment is the last thing on my mind.

Sorry for the ramble a very close friend contacted me on Friday to say he's going to have same operation and just seen the news this morning about Sir Chris Hoy let's keep spreading the word and go and get a test it's so simple!

Thanks

Gavin

Edited by member 21 Oct 2024 at 06:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 15:14

Gavj, keeping the penis healthy can be useful for urinating. Take the tablets and take anything else on offer. Never give up and have fun.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 20 Oct 2024 at 22:44

Hi Gavin

Glad to read that the op went well and recovery is good so far, I’m just awaiting an op date and so it’s good to hear your experience. Great that you’ve made good progress on the bladder front, that worries me more than the potential ED. Having read the news about Chris Hoy today I feel more comfortable with my decision. I hope things continue to go well for you. 

User
Posted 21 Jan 2025 at 16:22

3 months post-op now. Had first psa blood test results all ok, another test in 3 months. Still feeling very tired in the afternoons but now back at work on phased return. Finished all the viagra tablets two weeks ago but didn't help or notice anything so now waiting to see urology consultant in Feb. Work have been great but certainly not the most important thing in life anymore!

 
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