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Sex
after Radical Prostatectomy and Separation
By
Lenny Hirsch
"There are cancer cells in your biopsy." These words still ring in my
ear. It is now nearly seven years since I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
The urologist naturally wanted to perform a radical prostatectomy. My wife and
I felt he was pushing me to make an immediate decision. The percentages he gave
to me of being potent after surgery were frightening, not to mention the continence
factor. Like every body else who has been diagnosed with cancer, I was in a state
of shock. We went home and I immediately phone my brother-in-law in London, a
pathologist who has many connections in the medical world there. He asked that
I send him the slides of the biopsy. It took some time to get the slides and for
them to reach him. In the mean time I started reading everything I could about
prostate cancer and the side effects of the available treatments.
I
soon realized that death was far down the line, but impotency and incontinence
were definitely a possibility. My marriage was one of highs and lows as was my
life. During the low periods I found an escape in sex. Sex was a very important
aspect in my life and over the years I had a number of affairs. Looking back I
can see how I used sex as an escape from the tough realities that I might had
been facing. I knew that I was good in bed. Many times I felt that my sexual powers
were one of my few achievements in life. Could I live being impotent? I was not
sure, but was re-assured by my wife that she could cope with the impotence.
My brother-in-law’s suggestion that as the cancer was a very low grade one,
that I do not undergo any invasive treatment at that time. From my reading and
corresponding with various lists on the net I learned about Watchful Waiting,
changed my eating habits and took vitamins and food supplements. Within three
months my psa dropped by 30% and remained low for another three and half years
when it rose dramatically and I had no options, but to under go surgery. The surgeon
who would do the operation was one of the best in Israel with a high percentage
of nerve saving. That is saving the nerves that control one’s erection. I resigned
myself to the surgeon’s skill hoping to come out potent and continent.
Surgery was no problem for me. Soon after the catheter was removed I had
control of my bladder. A few weeks later I tried Viagra. Much to my relief and
delight I had a response. By now I knew a lot about erectile dysfunction and post
surgery nerve healing. What a relief it was to feel those first stirrings. My
next fear was penile shrinkage that is the penis shrinks after surgery. This does
not happen in all cases, but the possibility was there. Neither the surgeon nor
my urologist warned me about it. After six months my penis was noticeably shorter.
On the upside my erections were getting stronger and lasting for a longer time.
One year after surgery my wife and I separated. Prior to the separation
I felt that we were coping well. I had some difficulties sexually, mainly with
not being sure when I would maintain or lose an erection. At the time of the separation
I was managing to complete the act some of the time, although occasionally my
appendage would get tired and droop.
Initially after the operation
I learned to enjoy contact without the sexual aspect creeping in. I recognized
that my days of being a sex athlete were past. If and when I managed to hold an
erection long enough to climax it was an added bonus. At the time of the separation
my psa started climbing dramatically. The cancer had reared its ugly head. On
top of the rising PSA, financial problems, I would now have to cope with starting
a new life on my own and hopefully meeting new women. To go courting at the age
of 62 is frightening enough, but with the above problems I started feeling very
sorry for myself.
I make friends easily and soon found that the
women whom I were seeing liked me. A relationship developed with one in particular.
One evening she made it very clear that she wanted to sleep with me. I felt my
stomach going into knots. What would her reaction be to the penile shrinkage?
Would I get an erection and if so, could I hold it? I took the bull by its horns
and explained my post surgery complications. She smiled and shared her own fears
of not having had sex for a couple of years. For obvious reasons she thought that
a dry orgasm sounded like a good idea. We went to bed and sure enough at the time
of entry my penis went limp. Too much foreplay, over worked, all sorts of possibilities,
who knows? We laughed. I felt proud of myself for having shared my fears and my
choice of a partner who showed understanding of my position. However I had no
problems of bringing her to a number climaxes. This was an awakening call to me.
I did not need an erect and big penis to satisfy a woman. I also came to the realization
how good and rewarding the sexual act could be without penetration or an orgasm.
I know that my manly image was not impaired by not being able to maintain an erection.
Another myth goes out the window!
There have been changes in my
life since our separation. I have relocated to a small agricultural village, am
making ends meet and have come to accept the fact that not being a sexual athlete
with a big penis is OK. I have developed a relationship with a woman based on
mutual attraction and acceptance of one another. Sex is an important part of our
relationship, but not the most important.
Looking back over the
last year has made me realize that a person can change his out look and his expectations
of himself and of others. Life is very good for me today and I know that will
be to-morrow.
Lenny Hirsch
Northern Israel
July
2003.
Update January 2008
It
is now seven years since surgery. I have dated many wonderful women and slept
with most of them. In most cases I need a "pill" but occasionally while having
unplanned sex or caught without the pill, have managed to get it up. For the last
two years I have been seeing one woman who recently moved in with me. I am experiencing
the best sex of my life! We have a sexual understanding and acceptance of each
others needs. Once again I emphasize that there is no need for an erect large
penis for mutual sexual satisfaction.
Lenny Hirsch
Southern
Israel
www.Shalomprostate.co.il.
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