This is my first post. I am four weeks post RRP. I have been observing
the site for about a week and find it very helpful. Thanks to everyone
for being so open with discussion of the issues. David S. and I had
the same doctor and surgery on the same day. David was the morning
surgery and I was the afternoon. We met last week when we were having
the catheters removed. David referred me to this site.
Summary:
- Age 62 (May, 2003)
- PSA 6.3  with 5.9 recheck May 1, 2003
- Biopsy with Gleason grade of 3+4=7  results May 22, 2003
- Bone scan May 28 immediate reading indicated spot on tip of one rib
left side. Additional x-rays taken same day. Doctors concluded
unlikely to be a problem.
- Urologist reviewed options May 29. Due to size of prostate external
beam was suggested to reduce size followed by implants. Surgery was
another option. He gave no real guidance. When I inquired about nerve
sparing surgery I got a vague answer stating "with all the blood the
nerves are hard to see".  Alarm!
- Researched and concluded with my excellent health the surgery was
the option of choice. (Out of the body and into the bucket.)
- Researched facilities and doctors and selected the urologist of
choice. Met the urologist on June 9. He reviewed biopsy results, bone
scan, etc. and recommended surgery.
- Three units of blood were accumulated prior to surgery.
- Surgery August 1, 2003. My blood supply to the area was unusual and
vessels very large. Five units of blood were required. The left nerve
bundle was becoming involved; thus, only the right nerve bundle was
saved.
- The tumor was organ confined. Cancer was on the left side
predominately and involved 15%. Gleason grade 3+4.
- Catheter removed August 21. (Three weeks after surgery.) Leakage was
experienced around the catheter during the last week.

I am very happy with the final urologist. When searching I was looking
for skill, experience and results and not personality.

The surgery is difficult. The past four weeks have been hard
emotionally and physically; but, there has been little significant
pain. It just has been telling me what not to do. I am not one to have
much pain. My wife is special, very understanding and helpful. I find
it very hard to just take it easy. Significant leakage after catheter
removal, very weak erection and loss of length are all somewhat
depressing. However, after four weeks I am sitting here preparing this
post and I can truly say I feel great and optimistic. Leakage is much
improved with the greatest problem being when standing still. The
Depends take care of the issue. I use the Depends underpants at night
and the pads during the day. I am down to about one pad during the day
compared to four just a few days ago. Sexual desire is certainly not
reduced. In fact I think it is greater. A fully satisfactory erection
is not possible as yet but I believe that will happen in a reasonable
time frame. A climax is possible.

I believe that my results were aided by the loss of about 30 pounds
between my PSA detection and surgery. I also did exercises for stomach
muscles and rode my exercise bike about 12 miles per day every day for
three months prior to surgery.  As a side effect my blood pressure was
lowered significantly and my regular doctor reduced my pressure
medication and is considering eliminating it. I have missed using the
bike during recovery but have started it again but on a lower
resistance.

Best wishes to all,
Steve M