I've posted a few times already but haven't really introduced us yet.

My husband Larry went for his annual PE in June and his PSA came back at
2.3, which was .7 higher than it had been.  He has been getting yearly PSA's
for the past seven or eight years.  He has a family history of prostate
cancer with his dad, one brother and possibly an uncle or two all afflicted.

Our family doc sent Larry to a urologist to make sure everything was okay.
The urologist said there are only three reasons for the PSA to be elevated
... an enlarged prostate, a urinary infection or cancer.  Since the first
two were fine, the urologist suggested biopsies.  Twelve were done and three
were positive ... one at 4-3 60%, one at 3-4 30% and the last at 3-3 40%.
The overall Gleason Score was 7.

The urologist recommended surgery but we decided to do a LOT of research and
get several other opinions.  Our first visit was to the surgeon who
eventually did the surgery.  He drew pictures, talked to us for an hour,
explained everything that would happen during and after the surgery, etc.
The cancer was hugging the right side of the prostate and the nerves on that
side were definitely involved.  He also explained the different types of
surgery.  We chose the DaVinci robotic laparoscopic method.

Our second visit was to a Radiology Oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center
in Houston.  She was also very talkative and explained what would be
required for Photon Beam therapy.  We were exploring the Proton Beam but it
was not indicated for Larry's cancer.

The radiologist said that during radiation the area surrounding the
prostate, and the prostate itself, basically turn to a gel-like substance.
If the cancer returns, and she said it usually will within 5 - 10 years,
that radiation can't be done again so the only option is removal, along with
removal of everything that has turned to gel.  She explained that at that
point being incontinent forever was a certainty.  Due to Larry's relatively
young age of 59, she suggested surgery rather than radiation.

So, we went back to the surgeon and talked to him again.  He ordered a full
body scan and that was fine.  We set the surgery date for Sept. 19.  During
all Larry's pre-op stuff he was taught how to do the Kegel exercises
correctly.  There is a machine with an anal probe and it pulses when the
correct muscles are squeezed.  It really taught him to do them very well.
He was told then to do them twice daily until the surgery and then to
re-start them the day after the catheter is removed.

Larry was in surgery for approximately 6.5 hours.  Not sure exactly how much
of that time was the actual surgery, but he was back there that long.  The
surgeon did a bladder suspension and neuroplasty on the 30% of the nerves on
the right side that were compromised.  He also removed a "handful" of lymph
nodes and thankfully they were all clear.  (They were sent to the lab during
surgery.)

The recuperation in the hospital was fast and uneventful.  He was released
less than 48 hours after surgery.  Larry hit the recliner upon arriving home
and stayed pretty quiet the first day.  He never had to take any pain meds.
after leaving the hospital.  In fact, he only had one shot for pain and that
was about an hour after coming out of recovery.

Larry discovered the first night home that if he put several pillows behind
his back that he could sleep on his back quite well.  He tried to turn over
during the night several times and the pull on the catheter and night bag
woke him up REAL quick.  But honestly, he never had a problem sleeping with
the catheter in.

On day two of being home he started walking -- and walking -- and walking.
He's in great shape so the walking was fine.  No pain.

The catheter was removed on day nine post-op.  He had a very strong stream
at that point.  The use of pads and diapers had been discussed prior to
this, and it was explained again that day.  So, we did what had been advised
and took a pad to the doctor visit with us.  If you've read any of my other
posts you will know that he never needed a pad or diaper.  There has been no
incontinence - no leakage whatsoever.  (In fact, he called me yesterday all
excited.  He had to go pee when he left his office but it's only a 20 minute
drive so he knew he would be okay.  Well, there was a lot of flooding in
Houston yesterday and the drive home took over an hour.  He was thrilled to
know that he could hold it that long with no dripping.  Since he hadn't done
that yet he wasn't sure if he could.)

Larry had been working from home during those nine days and he went back to
work full-time the day after having the catheter removed.  No golf yet but
that will be back next weekend.

Larry is four weeks post-op today and is doing awesome.  He said he feels
like he did before surgery except for the belly hair growing back and
itching.  (I just laughed at that as he has NO clue what women have to go
through when they have babies!!)  I said yeah -- I feel for ya honey!!  :o}

He continues to do his Kegel exercises twice daily.  He was taught to do
them laying on his side in bed and he does 20 of them at a time.  He holds
each one for five seconds and rests for 10 seconds between each one.    I
don't even wake up in the morning when he's doing them but at night I'll be
watching the news or Jay Leno and I'll say something to him and he doesn't
respond because he's counting.

We go back to the surgeon on Nov. 20 for his first post-op PSA and to get
the final cancer report.  The surgeon did tell me when he came out of
surgery that there was more cancer than he expected and also that he was
surprised that a few lymph nodes weren't involved.  He was so thrilled about
that he gave me a big hug!!  And trust me, I gave one back to him!!

We were told no sex for eight weeks so we'll abide by that.   The surgeon
has been great so far so we will respect what he said and just wait.  We're
sure he's just wanting the neuroplasty to have time to heal.

Larry & I have said several times that if you have to have prostate cancer,
this is the way to do it.  We truly are blessed for how well everything has
gone.  It's unfortunate that it can't be like this for everyone.

That's our story.  Thanks for reading.

Jean & Larry