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BRONZE

Geoffrey Cotterman and Barb live in New York USA. He was 56 when he was diagnosed on June 6, 2009. His initial PSA was 23.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and although he says he was staged T2, this seems to be his pathological staging; his clinical staging was likely T1c. His choice of treatment was Robotic Prostatectomy. Here is his story

I was a healthy married 56 year old, physically fit with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 21. In April 2009, my company changed life insurance providers and required us to get a full physical, including a PSA. My own physician does not believe in routine screening until age 55 so this was my first PSA. The result came back 17.5 and I was rejected for life insurance until I spoke with my physician. He put me on a course of antibiotics to rule out prostatitis and ordered another PSA after the two week course. Result was 22.5 "Oh my!"

I spent a couple of weeks learning everything I could and set up an appointment with a Urologist followed by a biopsy on June 10, 2009. The results came back 7 cores out of 12 positive up to 70% involvement. PSA 23.2. Bone scan and C/T scans were negative.

More internet searching convinced me that Robotic Radical Prostatectomy was the way to go since I am otherwise healthy, not over weight, will cover quickly and the cancer was obviously growing quickly.

I had RP by Da Vinci on July 14, 2009 at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
My final Pathology was pT3aN0MX. The right nerve was partially spared, left nerve removed. My catheter was removed on July 24, 2009 and I received the full pathology report from my Uro:

Gleason 3+4=7 Tumor size: 2.4 x 1.8 cm location: both lobes and apex.
No Malignancy in Seminal Vesicle, vasa deferentia, lymph nodes 0/13,
Extraprostatic extension present;
Perineural invasion: present, extensive Prostate mass 55 grams.

During the next 3 months incontinence improved from 7 pads per day to 3 pads per day and seems to be holding at this level.

My Three month PSA was 0.04.

I have total ED and use a pump about once per week. 20 mg of Cialis. 100 mg of Viagra only gives me blue vision and a stuffy nose.

When you have but one prostate to give for your country there is no way to call a do-over. I cannot second guess my decision. If I have to spend the rest of my life without a natural erection and wearing pads, so be it. I am alive.

 

UPDATED

July 2010

 

 

I am at one year. I am incontinent and leak about 140 ml per day.

I have ED and must resort to Trimix since pump and pills do not work. Other that those two "inconveniences" I feel fine. Maybe I will be one of the lucky ones who recover both functions by the two year mark.

My PSA is still low so life is good.

 

UPDATED

December 2011

 

Unfortunately, my incontinence and ED did not improve from June 2010. I found the incontinence so distasteful and embarrassing I avoided sex, and my ED recovery suffered. By November 2010 I decided it was time to do something about it. I had an AdVance sling installed in Jan 2011 (18 months) and followed all the light activity rules for the requisite 6 weeks. I am continent now and only wear half a light pad per day for confidence and to catch a drip or two.

My life is back on track except for the ED. My Trimix dose was increased to such a large value I graduated to a double strength mix. Results are still unsatisfactory and I am considering an implant. I met with the ED specialist in October and discussed the merits and demerits of the AMD device. I will wait a little longer before doing anything about it.

At 2.5 years, my PSA is still <0.01, my underwear is dry, and I feel fine. Life is good!

Geoffrey's e-mail address is: altenergyeng@gmail.com