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Jeff Davis lives in Florida, USA. He was 46 when he was diagnosed in May, 2007. His initial PSA was 7.90 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6, and he was staged T1c. His initial treatment choice was Surgery (Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy) and his current treatment choice is None. Here is his story.

THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2020 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

I am in the beginning stages of this journey just having been diagnosed one month ago. I have been reading a lot of information and have come to the conclusion that surgery is probably the best plan of action. I hope, in the not too distant future that other options are discovered and treatment is as simple as taking a pill.

Back to reality. I have been spending a lot of time trying to research urologists, I have been told that you want the best you can find because this surgery gets done just once. At 46 I hope to have many more years of an active sex life and a non-active urinary problem.

I was diagnosed with PC by Dr. David Vaughan at Winter Park Urology in Orlando, Fl. I have been to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to meet with Dr. Igel for a second opinion and surgical options. I will meet again with Dr. Vaughan on the 27th of June and will hopefully choose a surgery date within the next month. The funny thing is, I am more concerned about the length of recovery than I am the surgery itself. I'll keep updating.

UPDATED

June 2007

On August 20th, 2007 I survived the robotic prostatectomy. I would like to thank Ed and Jack for their help and insight prior to the surgery and during recovery.

The cancer was contained within the prostate and no further treatment is expected at this time. I'll have my first post surgery PSA test on 10/17/07. I did return to work on 9/10/07 to a desk job.

A couple of things about the surgery: The pain from the gas was very real and hurt like nothing I have ever experienced. I don't claim to be the sharpest tool in the box but it was about 12 hours out of surgery that I finally listened to the Dr., nurse and a mentor that the best way to relieve the pain was to walk. I found that if I started walking as soon as I felt the pain coming on that it would subside in about 15 minutes. Now the drugs were good and worked pretty well but I was told that taking the pain medicine would slowdown how quickly the gas left my body. Part of my discharge instructions included taking Gas-X to help relieve the gas build up and pain. They wouldn't let me take it while I was in the hospital. The Gas-X was very helpful when I got home. If I had to do it again, I might have someone sneak in some Gas-X. Don't underestimate the pain of gas!

If you are single or will be on your own while in the hospital I would recommend trying to find someone to stay with you and be your advocate. The hospital I was at seemed to be very busy and the nurses over worked with little time for actual patient care. There were times I felt neglected. So beg a good friend or two to help you out.

If I can help please let me know.

Jeff

UPDATED

June 2008

It has been 15 months since my surgery. All of my tests have come back the way I expected them...no trace of cancer. I am pleased with the treatment that I chose and they way the doctor treated me during my follow up appointments.

Physically I am doing well. I am able to use the restroom with no leakage. Sometimes when I really get a solid drive on the golf course I will leak a little, but it has never shown.

My intimate life is on hold, I'm not married and I am not seeing anyone at this time. Hopefully that will change :) Physically I do function without any pills or props.

I was young at my diagnosis, 46, lots of worries and fears. I was lucky to talk with and meet a couple of very helpful men through YANA. Just being able to have a very frank heart to heart talk with a stranger about such a personal and intimate problem was very helpful. The honesty was crucial. I hope that I can be of help to someone the same way I was helped. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

UPDATED

March 2009

I had the Da Vinci surgery almost 18 months ago with quarterly PSA follow-up tests and now every six months for the next year. I want to pass along that at this time I have no bladder issues and that impotence is not an issue. In my case the surgery has been the best choice.

UPDATED

March 2010

It has been over two and a half years since my treatment and I recently completed another PSA test and it came out just fine.

Physically I am doing fine, I still have a little leakage once in a while, nothing that is embarrassing. I don't have a wife or a girl friend so I've been in a dry spell, but it does work. Overall I am still pleased with my decision to be aggressive in my treatment and I am looking forward to a few more good years.

UPDATED

March 2011

I am glad to report that I have continued to progress positively. After a couple of years of PSA tests coming back with less than .01 I feel my choice for treatment is a success.

At this time I can have sex although my drive is not what it was prior to surgery. I do "dribble" a little but it is of no concern. And most importantly I am able to see my children have children!

This year I will turn 50 and I am looking forward to a natural life expectancy. God is good.

Jeff Davis

UPDATED

April 2012

I had robotic surgery almost five years ago and all PSA results have been great, so it looks like my choice was a success. I have very few side effects, a little leakage when I laugh or fit I really power through on the golf swing. No problems with incontinence. I am able to have sex without any medications. I am now 50 yrs old and looking forward to another 50 or so. The biggest change is my perspective on religion, life and relationships. They are all very dear to me and not taken for granted. Sunrise and sunset happen every single day, each one is appreciated.

UPDATED

June 2013

It has been almost 6 years since I had my surgery. All PSA tests are 0.0. I still have an annual PSA test and the recurrence thoughts still linger in the back of my mind but they don't get in the way. In the last year I have remarried and my wife has had to learn how things are different for me but the same for her. Looking back on the last 6 years I feel that the results are positive and I hope to have a long and fun life.

Enjoy life.

Jeff Davis

UPDATED

May 2014

It has been a while since my surgery/treatment. I was young when I was diagnosed and chose the treatment. Soon to be 53, I am now concerned about by long term side effects. I still have good bladder control and I can still have an unassisted (medicine) erection, but after a little reading I wonder if things will change? I wonder if I selected the right treatment?

When diagnosed everything became fast and decisions needed to be made. At the time the Dr. said that I have at least an 85% chance of living to normal life expectancy. Life just changed for me at that time and I thought that if I could get rid of the cancer things would go back to normal. Maybe there is no "normal" because it hasn't returned :)

The great news is that I am healthy, married, working and still have my Faith. Even though things have changed, many are for the better...I love sunrises!, I have a wonderful wife, I get to see my grand kids!, and I get to watch my kids grow into respected adults (Katie, Nate and Ciara) Each day is new and I am always reflective of the battle with cancer. I didn't have it very tough...no chemo, localized to the prostate, I can pee and I can still enjoy the intimacies of marriage. But, the thought that I am still only 53 leaves me thinking about the next 20 years.

Time to go see the Dr. and learn about what to do next in order to maintain normalcy.

UPDATED

July 2015

I will be 54 years old this year and it has been over 8 years since my diagnosis and almost 8 years since my robotic surgery. During the last 8 years I have been able to live a full life that includes a new marriage and grandchildren. The only side effects that I have at this time (and have had since the surgery) is a little leakage every now and then. The leakage usually occurs during a sneeze or sometimes a strenuous activity.

This October I will have another PSA test and I am looking forward to another "0".

Still satisfied with my choice of treatment but sure wish more advances had been made in the diagnosis and treatment options.

UPDATED

September 2016

No too much to add at this point. My chosen treatment has worked very well for me.

UPDATED

May 2019

I recently had my annual physical to include a PSA and it came back with a 0.0. I am now 57 and it has been 13 years since my prostatectomy and I have no complaints. The only side effect I have is occasional leakage when I laugh. I still have an active sex life with no pills nor any other aids. I enjoy an active lifestyle with a lot time spent outside riding a motorcycle, walking, gardening, and little fishing. I still work full-time.

Jeff's e-mail address is: sivad1016 AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Jeff has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.


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