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Post by Rick Redner on Apr 14, 2013 8:13:58 GMT -5
Welcome, I'm delighted you found us. This forum is unique in many ways. First it is specifically for men & couples considering prostate surgery. I am the forum administrator. I was dx with prostate cancer at age 58. I chose robotic surgery. When I began this forum I was 2 years post surgery.
You'll find many of the threads are specifically geared to issues and challenges you are your partner will face before surgery. In each of threads I've posted the first thread to share my experience and provide information for each of these topics. I hope you'll post about your own experiences and questions.
Second, you'll notice there are a lot of threads that are faith-based. As the Forum Administrator I created this forum to be a Christian oriented forum. That said people of every faith or of no faith are welcome here. However there are threads that are specifically oriented toward faith. If this is of no interest or offensive to you, you don't need to visit those threads. I'm not interested in arguing matters of faith. I am going to present my faith and those who are interested can read it and those who are not can avoid it. This forum would not exist if it were not for my faith, which is what motivated me to create and host both our pre and post surgery forum.
No matter what your faith is or isn't, I want this forum to provide you with helpful information, and support. I am interested in using my experiences with prostate cancer and my professional training assist you and to strengthening your relationship with your partner. I know first hand how difficult it is to come to a decision how to treat your prostate cancer.
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Post by andyb on Apr 23, 2013 12:00:47 GMT -5
"Thank you" for creating this site. I too, have looked over the years and been unable to find another site like this. Prostate surgery has changed my life forever....some bad, some good...and the jury's still out on even more. It has been 15 years since it was done, and I'm still trying to deal with the emotional challenges it brought.
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Post by Rick Redner on Apr 27, 2013 11:37:48 GMT -5
Andy, One of the most difficult issues I find in hosting site, is that I don't get notice when people post. I check the forums multiple times a day yet I found your post by accident as I was editing my introduction.
You are 15 years post op and have walked this journey much longer than I have. I'd certainly like to hear more about the emotional challenges you continue to face as you live your life without your prostate.
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michael
New Member
married with children
Posts: 35
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Post by michael on May 4, 2013 12:55:16 GMT -5
Hello, I had the davinci surgery also October 18th, 2012. Due to cancer like most I guess. Got a crash course in cancer, psa, options as what to do in about 6 months before they did the surgery. I consider myself to have the usual side effects. Just was checked and psa is still 0.01 which is great. Glad to be here and glad to meet all.
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Post by Rick Redner on May 4, 2013 14:07:09 GMT -5
Mike, Glad you found us and welcome. Great to hear your PSA is still undetectable. How are you doing with urinary control and ED?
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michael
New Member
married with children
Posts: 35
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Post by michael on May 4, 2013 18:27:13 GMT -5
Urinary control is pretty good, leak a little now and then but wear NO pad. I do have ED. Tried the pills which did nothing much, kinda hit and miss which was mostly miss. I started using trimix injections about 8 weeks ago and it does work. Rather have my prostate back and be all good but that's not going to happen. I still am trying to quit the cigarette thing which I started again after this cancer thing came about. I do feel weaker in my mid section where they went in with the robot. But I work still and trying to enjoy life. Hopefully some day they can cure cancer for good! Anyway I can help or advise anyone with questions I am open too. I learned a lot in the last year. Take care .
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Post by Bob Wohlers on Jun 4, 2013 18:34:52 GMT -5
Am enjoying your book. Finished Radiation March 5, 2013. Would be happy to answer any questions. Diagnosis December 9 2011. On Lupron Injections for 1 year. That shuts off your testosterone. You have "Hot Flashes". Lack of Sex drive. ED. Bloody Semen after Biopsy. Lack of erection since Jan 2012. Consultation in Feb 2012 for Robotic Surgery in Seattle. Dr decided that I was not a good candidate and recommended that I go the radiation route. DOB Jan 1943 so am 70 yrs old and am still practicing dentistry 3days a week.
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Post by Rick Redner on Jun 4, 2013 18:47:26 GMT -5
Bob, Glad you are enjoying my book. Congratulations on finishing radiation treatment. I've heard from a lot of men about those "hot flashes". Seems like they give men a new appreciation for what women go through in menopause.
I admire the fact that at age 70 you continue to practice dentistry.
Have you thought about penile injections? If you haven't developed venous leak, that might work, if that's important to you.
Thanks for joining, introducing yourself, and being available to support others. The one problem I've having on the forum is I don't believe you get notice when someone replies to your thread so you have to checking. I don't like but I if you can change option, I don't know how.
Rick
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Post by Rick Redner on Jun 4, 2013 18:47:56 GMT -5
Bob, Glad you are enjoying my book. Congratulations on finishing radiation treatment. I've heard from a lot of men about those "hot flashes". Seems like they give men a new appreciation for what women go through in menopause.
I admire the fact that at age 70 you continue to practice dentistry.
Have you thought about penile injections? If you haven't developed venous leak, that might work, if that's important to you.
Thanks for joining, introducing yourself, and being available to support others. The one problem I've having on the forum is I don't believe you get notice when someone replies to your thread so you have to checking. I don't like but I if you can change option, I don't know how.
Rick
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Post by ctgators05 on Jul 1, 2013 8:18:32 GMT -5
Hi, just joined this forum. Had robotic surgery June 4 still trying to figure things out.
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Post by Rick Redner on Jul 1, 2013 11:32:31 GMT -5
Ctgators, Welcome to our forum. By now you may be confronting issues that you were not adequately prepared to deal with. For me, finding the right diaper that wouldn't leak, and then the right pad, and learning how long to stay in them were major traumas.
Our threads have lots of useful info. Whenever you want to ask something specific feel free to do so. We are a community that's here to support to provide info and support following prostate surgery.
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Post by socalphilip on Aug 13, 2013 17:49:19 GMT -5
Hello all SoCalPhilip here. 1st I'd like to thank Rick for the form/site. Just happened upon it while looking for post op. info. Also while looking for the definitive donut cushion to use while sitting. Because so far , 3days post radical prostatectomy that the main pain area. I am a 68yr. old over the road truck driver. Born and live in Los Angeles, Ca. Viet Vet who had not used the VA for anything until my company Ins. Doc. I had been using for years and had been telling me I had an enlarged prostate, (didn't think much of it, with all the talk of most men getting it and dying of something else) then after my regular physical exam the blood came back w/PSA at 11count much to share. I'll do it at a latter date. Have much on plate right now, e.g., just had the surgery; trying to sell house; and all the insurance claims I have to make to my company and the VA since I am using them form my medical. talk later, Philip
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Post by Rick Redner on Aug 15, 2013 9:31:53 GMT -5
Philip, Glad you found us. I too needed a donut pillow. Here's a link on amazon, which is where I found mine: Donut Pillow LinkYou don't need a special one, as long as the pillow prevents your rectum from touching the chair you'll be fine. I ate with my family standing up until my donut pillow arrived as sitting hurt too much. I wish I'd had the pillow for the ride home from the hospital. Glad you want to share your story and when you have the time I'll be interested in hearing more from you. Also when you have the time you might find it useful to check out a number of these threads, especially on penile rehab, which should begin once your catheter is pulled. Hope your post surgery biopsy report is a good one. Rick
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bill
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by bill on Aug 15, 2013 9:37:08 GMT -5
Hi everyone. Bill here from the UK, I had radical surgery nearly 6 years ago at 56 years old. When I was diagnosed I was offered Radical Surgery, Radiotherapy and possible implants. I scared myself silly on the Internet and it was advice from one of the senior nursing staff at the Urology clinic which helped me choose surgery. I seem to have the same side effects as most others. If I drink too much beer too quickly I do leak but if I stay "off pints" and drink the small bottles I can handle it much better. My E/D has been helped with a combination of Cialis and injections..I occasionally suffer from aching in the groin area but the specialists say this is nothing to worry about. My PSA has been consistent at 0.01 and have been discharged from seeing my Consultant now and advised to reqest a blood test from my GP every year. Ive got to say my state of mind has been quite good...I consider myself to be fortunate and experienced the joy of two grandchildren in the years following my surgery.
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Post by garrymoh on Oct 13, 2013 19:46:59 GMT -5
Hello, I had robotic assisted radical prostatectomy on September 23, 2013 at Cleveland Clinic. I am 60 years old. Working on urinary continence at this time, dry all night but still using lots of Depends and pads. Trying to stay positive and Rick's book really helped prepare me for post surgery. The mental aspect of dealing with incontinence is a challenge. My prostate cancer was found incidentally after a TURP procedure in June. My Gleason score was a six until my prostatectomy when it was "upgraded" to 7. I hope to go to back to office work in one more week. Keep up the great work!
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