THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2016 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.
When I moved to Seattle in 2006, I asked my new physician to start testing PSA despite the fact that I was 48 and had no close family history of PCa. My first result was a reading of 3.7. About 15 months later in January 2008, I had my second test as part of my routine yearly physical. PSA results had jumped to 7.3. I was referred to a urologist who put me on Cipro for 2 month to rule out prostatitis. After the course of antibiotic was done a repeat PSA was done with a result of 7.8. My urologist scheduled a biopsy in late May 2008 and the biopsy revealed PCa in 1/12 cores. Initial Gleason score was (3+4=7). After exploring brachytherapy and surgical options, I opted for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. My surgeon also sent me for bone and CT scans which were negative. He sent my biopsy lab results in for a second opinion and the Gleason score was revised to a (4+3=7).
Surgery was performed on August 13, 2008. I was home the next day with little discomfort besides the catheter. I was off pain meds by August 19, 2008. The catheter was removed on August 20, 2008 and pathology results revealed negative margins and no involvement of three sampled lymph nodes. Pathology also confirmed a Gleason 7 (4+3) with a tertiary pattern of 5 - my surgeon called my Gleason score an "angry 7".
I experienced a degree of incontinence following the removal of the catheter. I found that this improved pretty quickly and I was down to 2 pads a day within about two weeks. I returned to work 11 days after surgery which might have been a bit too fast, but I wanted to think about something other than cancer.
I have had little or no response to Viagra over the last 4 months. I have no started with bi-mix injections and that appears to be having some effect. I'm still in the process of finding the right titration. My three-month PSA check revealed undetectable PSA levels.
Today, I find the most difficult thing to deal with is the impotence, but I know that I still have a long way to go before I know where that will end up. I'm blessed to have a supportive partner, and I'm working on creating a gay men's support group in Seattle at Gilda's Club. I have no regrets about my treatment selection, and I was very happy with my healthcare.
My PSA levels remain undetectable and my next check will be in November 2010.
I have found that I'm very comfortable with the Bi-Mix injections and I use them regularly with satisfactory result to achieve a dependable erection. My continence is about 99.9%.
So nearly two years after surgery, I remain happy with the results, I can live with the side effects and I remain cancer free.
I was released by my surgeon in February, as my PSA remains undetectable.
While there are times that I mourn the erectile function of the days before surgery, it remains remedied by Bi-Mix injections. I remain very happy with my choice of treatment as it appears it was a successful intervention.
A friend and I started a gay-bi men's prostate cancer support group in Seattle. The group meets on the first Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Jim
I just passed my four-year anniversary of robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. My PSA levels remain undetectable, and my quality of life remains quite high. I am grateful to have this behind me.
I recently had my five-year check-up and my PSA level remains undetectable. I should note that I have explored acupuncture treatments for ED with good results. I use bi-mix and I've reduced the dosage considerably. Life is good.
I recently passed a six-year anniversary from surgery with an undetectable PSA level. I have found great success with an acupuncturist to get improvement in erectile function without meds as well as support for strengthened continence. Life is good!
Jim's e-mail address is: jimx2wa AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")
NOTE: Jim has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.
