Just a note to anyone interested. I cancelled my prostate operation at
John Hopkins because I wanted someone to do it with the new
computerized method with small incisions. I have already forgotten the
name. I thought I was going to have to go to Paris, and would have, as
the foremost surgeon in this field was there. He was teaching in the
USA, but few doctors had trained.  Then I found one who was just ready
to start, but he warned me that he had only practiced on animals and
cadavers! LOL  Ha Ha, I said, that's ok, if it doesn't work, I will
have at least tried.  He tried and it did not work as the doctor at
John Hopkins had given me Lupron and that shrunk the prostate gland so
much that the surgeon could not get the tiny instruments around to take
it out and had to open me up. He got it out then! I followed up with
him for awhile and he did have very successful outcomes on others and
is now teaching, I believe, in Chicago. A good doctor too.

Still, my disease had gotten futher than the tests showed. I had a Zero
PSA, down from Eight (8) after the operation. Then gradually over three
years it went back up to 2.0.  A urologist told me to start taking one
of the hormones (not lupron), but in a second opinion by an oncologist
that was changed to no treatment and wait and see what happens in three
months.

YEA!!!  The PSA remained at 2.0 and I was off the hook for hormones and
anything else for awhile. The doctor said not to worry, I had lots of
life left in me. Stop worrying and go on a vacation.

I do have ED and partly due to a low Testosterone count, but I cannot
take the hormone replacement, as it can increase the growth of the
prostate cancer cells.  Cialis is somewhat helpful, but the best is
Cialis and a pump. I still find the erection might go down if I get it
standing up and then get into bed. That makes the pump helpful, if a
pain in the neck, so to speak. I really never liked it, but after the
operation I tried all three drugs and shots too. The urologist says I
did not try the best injections, but by then I was tired of shooting
up.

One thing that a pump stops spontanity, the Cialis' claim to fame. No
having sex on demand. No more of that clandestine intercourse on the
steps of the Nation's Capitol (as one of our leaders admitted to). Just
try to be spontaneous with a whirring vacume pump and its those rings
(ouch!).

I asked my urologist if I could get a penile implant, the Gold Standard
for ED treatment, but he said, no. He said I still have signs of
cancer, there are possible side effects, and it might cause the penis
to get shorter. That would be bad as the operation already took an inch
or so off, as far as I can tell.

Well I am happy, happy to be doing well on the cancer front and
unhappy, unhappy unhappy on the sexual front.  At one time I swore I
would never have the operation for that reason, but when faced with the
alternative, changed my mind. I find the ED to be more of a problem
than some men, because I am a widower and when I get really lucky there
is tremendous anxiety to deal with. Combined with the underlying
problem that seems to result in no Big John. Also, no ejaculation isn't
as good as having one, although Tantra sex teaches how to have multiple
orgasms within the body and without ejaculation. It is true, can be
amazing and I've done it, but I like the old way. Hard to teach an old
dog you know.

I'd still like to get that implant though.
Bye,  Hope you all are well or getting well.

George