Got the second PSA, another <0.1 at 4 ½ months post-op.  Get the next
one in four months with the usual fears between donating the blood and
getting the results.

As to the Viagra &#8220;blue haze&#8221; experienced by David S. and
others, it&#8217;s especially dramatic under fluorescent lighting.  I
have an unrelated to Pca eye condition (ain&#8217;t getting old
great?) that required pupil dilation last week and the effect of that
was very similar though much more severe than the blue haze effect.
Has anyone noticed if the blue haze dilates the pupils?  I&#8217;ll
have my spouse take a look next time.  No difference for me with
higher doses (125 and 150 mg) than with 100 mg so will stay at 100 or
try lower doses to save a few bucks.

So far, no success with Viagra, pump, or Levitra although there is
some promise.  With Viagra I get engorgement about an hour later in
the shower &#8211; the hot water helps to dilate the vessels.  If I
then use a restricting ring from the pump, I can maintain the
engorgement more or less.  With no ring, the blood just runs out with
change in position.  So far, I&#8217;ve only used the largest ring
which doesn&#8217;t quite keep things &#8220;stuffable&#8221;.  Will
try the next smaller ring next time.  We&#8217;re getting close but as
of now no cigar (so to speak).  I find the pump to be very
uncomfortable.  Parts of my anatomy get sucked into the tube only on
the left side no matter how I position the tube or press down to make
full contact.  I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s getting sucked in but
it feels like veins, arteries, tendons, flesh, who knows.  Very
uncomfortable and the discomfort lasts the rest of the day.  Nothing
bad happens on the right side, just the left.  So far I&#8217;ve
managed to keep the left testicle out but I think I&#8217;ll focus on
the Viagra or perhaps Cialis if I can get a sample from my uro.  The
Levitra was somewhat less effective for me than the Viagra.  I have
had self-induced orgasms with a limp Willy but it takes a lot of
inspiration and a lot of manipulation but it&#8217;s comforting that
there is still lots of life down there.  Of course, the orgasm nerves
aren&#8217;t part of the &#8220;precious bundles&#8221; everyone talks
about.

The incontinence is finally improving, so there is hope David S. for
us &#8220;leakers&#8221;.  I find that almost every time I go to the
bowl now there is a stream to donate, unlike a couple of months ago
where I would lose it all just getting to the bowl.  I also notice
many fewer leaks just walking around.  I think I can get to one
pad/day (I&#8217;m now at 2-3) if I just make a habit of going to the
bowl every time I think about it &#8211; perhaps twice as often as
pre-surgery.

Anyway, things are progressing at a slower pace than I would like but
still in a forward direction.  There are setbacks of course &#8211;
two steps back after three steps forward &#8211; but I&#8217;m still
optimistic.  How much simpler life was just six months ago.  Oh well
&#8211; here&#8217;s to moving on and wishing everyone low
PSA&#8217;s, no pads, a satisfactory sex life, and happy holidays.
Take care all.
Dave Perry