The "New" Prostate Cancer InfoLink Social Network
A Service of Prostate Cancer International
-
Bob Steele
- 52, Male
- Salem, VA
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (1)
- Events
- Groups (3)
- Photos (7)
- Photo Albums
- Videos
Bob Steele's Groups
-
ED and incontinence post…
139 members
-
Surgery
147 members
-
Younger Men
117 members
Bob Steele's Discussions
Bob Steele's Page
Gifts Received
Bob Steele has not received any gifts yet
Latest Activity
Hi all,
Thanks for sharing techniques and experiences with us. I'm 6 months post RP surgery (age 52 w/ no pre-surgery ED) and have had very little success with the VED, none with Cialis. My first TriMix Rx arrives in a few days. I've only had one in…
Hi all,
My uro highly recommended TriMix after poor results w/ VED. He gave me one small dose the other day, and FAX'd an RX to College Pharmacy in Boulder Springs, Co. They're compounding a 10cc vial for $141 plus shipping. My insurance won't cover…
Hi Barbara,
I'd go to a physical therapist pre-surgery if possible. I was referred to one who used biofeedback to help target and measure muscle group performance. He/she will teach your husband the proper Kegel technique. That helped my confidence…
Hi Ralph,
4 months out from daVinci surgery myself. Using a small panty liner daily, ED is in full swing. I wish my Dr. was more aggressive on the ED regimen. Maybe it's just me.
I bought a VED recently as a matter of physical therapy mostly. While…
Hi Bob,
By sub-clinical I just mean that there were no obvious signs of a UTI (unless you count incontinence!) - clinical signs could include pain, a burning sensation while urinating, cloudy urine, smelly urine, possible fever, etc. All I had was…
Hi Ken,
I used a light pad while I had my catheter in due to some light bypassing like Roger referred to, so I tried one after the catheter was removed. That lasted about 15 minutes! Back to the man-pads. Thanks for the Walgreens tip - I think I saw…
Thanks for the reply, Roger. I try to remind myself that I did have major surgery, and that I am making at least somepositive progress nearly every day.
I learn something every time I'm on this site. I'll ask my doc about the UTI when I see him on 7…
Profile Information
- Have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer?
- yes
- What brings you to the New Prostate Cancer InfoLink social network?
- Seeking information and opinions on 2nd opinions and PCa surgery options
- Would you help us grow the network? Would you tell others about it?
- I'll help any way I can
- About Me:
- Follow up 4 months after daVinci surgery on 6/4/2009:
. Follow up PSA tests come in at 0.0, as expected. The surgery went pretty much as expected too - there are no side effects from the actual surgery save for a few small scars. It wasn't a breeze by any means, and I took about 5 weeks off work. My catheter was quite uncomfortable after 2-1/2 weeks, and I ended up with a slight UT infection that bothered me until about 6 weeks had passed. That was when I really started to feel OK most all the time.
My incontinence improved rather steadily, and after a couple of weeks, I was using just 1 pad per day. Now I'm using a small panty liner per day. I occasionally squirt a few drops at the 'usual' times, especially after I've drank a lot of beers, like during a concert or football game. Duh. I've been pleased with my incontinence experience overall - I think I've recovered better than average.
The ED situation is becoming a drag. Still very little response, even after taking a Cialis. I'm not real happy with my urologist's approach, and wish he were a little more aggressive with a recovery regimen. Having read 'Saving Your Sex Life", I know there are many approaches to this subject. I bought an erectile pump as a physical therapy device, and it's...well I just don't like it.
ED is a drastic change for me because I had no sexual issues before surgery. That is the only thing that makes me sometimes second-guess my decision to have surgery. However, I am not sure 'watchful waiting' was for me, either.
Patience...patience
Feel free to write me if you have any questions or commonts. I'd love to help anyone if I can.
First post: Married, age 51, Stage T1c PCa, Gleason 3+3, PSA rose from 0.77 to 4.71 in one year.
Married, age 51, Stage T1c PCa, Gleason 3+3, PSA rose from 0.77 to 4.71 in one year, prostate is 27g, and I feel great.
I cancelled my perineal surgery scheduled for 3/11 in favor of daVinci robotic laporoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) in Roanoke, Va. Surgery date is now tenatively June 4, 2009.
My wife and I decided to delay surgery until after our OBX week and our 23rd wedding anniversary, both in late May. We really felt rushed by my first urologist, and figured why not put off the inevitable post-surgery side effects?
Thanks to all who have given me advice and who have spent time with me on the phone. Second opinions (and more) are wonderful.
I cancelled my perineal surgery scheduled for 3/11 in favor of daVinci robotic laporoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) in Roanoke, Va. Surgery date is now tenatively June 4, 2009.
My wife and I decided to delay surgery until after our OBX week and our 23rd wedding anniversary, both in late May. We really felt rushed by my first urologist, and figured why not put off the inevitable post-surgery side effects?
Thanks to all who have given me advice and who have spent time with me on the phone. Second opinions (and more) are wonderful.
Bob Steele's Photos
Comment Wall (8 comments)
- At 11:20pm on March 9, 2009,
Angela Jenkins said… - Bob - you're just a couple days out from your surgery. How are you doing? Ready to get it over with and behind you? Keep us updated.
- At 5:59pm on January 30, 2009,
John Lee said…
- Thanks Bob. I look forward to hearing from you.
John
- At 11:46am on January 28, 2009,
John Lee said…
- Hi Bob. I believe the Gleason stayed at 8 after the RP. I did not have to send the slides to Dr. Myers initially, but did have to send all records of biopsy, surgery, and radiation prior to getting an appt. with him. FYI, he does not accept insurance, but my insurance company, Cigna, typically pays about 50%. Dr. Myers follows about 2,000 PC patients, but is not a surgeon. My RP was performed by Dr. Whisnant at Urology Associates in Roanoke.
I would be glad to meet you for coffee, lunch, etc. if you ever want to have a detailed converstaion about my knowledge and personal experience with PC.
My cell number is 540-761-4443. Thanks, John
- At 10:02am on January 28, 2009,
John Lee said…
- Hi Bob. I see you live in Salem. I'm in Roanoke and have been dealing with PC since May 2003, when I had a RP. I have since had radiation and have been on hormone therapy for the last year or so. I have found a great PC oncologist in Dr. Charles Myers at AIDP in Earlysville. His website is www.prostateforum.com. He is one of the top PC oncologists in the world and is also a PC survivor. If you would ever wish to discuss any issues relating to PC, please email me and I will be glad to share my experiences with you.
John Lee @ john@bundygroup.com.
- At 2:17am on January 23, 2009,
E. Michael D. ("Mike") Scott said… - Bob:
If you had only one positive core out of 12, you should do really well with surgery (assuming that you have a really good surgeon).
The most critical questions you need to get answers to are: How many RPPs is this surgeon doing each year? (The answer you are looking for is a number well over 100.) What are his personal outcome results in terms of progression-free survival, surgical margins, post-op incontinence, and post-op ED? (If he can't tell you his own results and tries to give you general results, go somewhere else!)
You are going to have this operation done just once in your life. Make absolutely sure it is done by a GREAT technician!
Second opinions never hurt, but if you have found a really good surgeon, I doubt if you really need one.
- At 3:00pm on January 22, 2009,
Angela Jenkins said…
- Bob - welcome to the network. You'll find good responses from other members in the surgery group. We're in Virginia Beach and after extensive research, we went to Florida for surgery. He wanted a surgeon that was the best - and we found just that. It was the best decision (for us). As Mike said, you want someone with the most experience - who's done hundreds. If you'd like to talk to my husband, he'd be glad to talk to you. Let us know if you have any questions. We'll be glad to help. Thanks for joining us.
- At 2:53pm on January 22, 2009,
George A. Brown said… - Hi Bob,
Welcome to the site. You would't shoot an unarmed man, would ya? Well, maybe I will trust ya. Good to have you here and you will receive a lot of support and help on the Young Man's Group. Remember "There is no such thing as too much Ammo" George
- At 2:41pm on January 22, 2009,
E. Michael D. ("Mike") Scott said…
- Hi Bob ... Should we assume from your "avatar" (picture) that you are one of those guys who shoots first and asks questions afterwards? :O)
If you are going for radical perineal surgery "today," make good and sure that you are going to someone with a LOT of skill and experience doing this operation. Such surgeons are fewer and farther between these days!
You should do well. Despite the rapid rise in your PSA, you are still a low risk patient (based on the generally accepted guidelines). You biggest risk is probably that the cancer may need to be upgraded when they can actually look at the prostatectomy specimen (i.e., you are 3 + 3 = 6 based on biopsy data, but you could be -- say -- 4 + 3 = 7 when the pathologist is able to see the whole prostate). How many biopsy cores did you have taken, and how many of them were positive for cancer?
About
Selected Papers
Need InfoLink cards?
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
The "New" Prostate Cancer InfoLink's Social Network is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services.
Any person who appears to knowingly render medical advice or promote a professional or commercial service on this site may be removed by the administrators without notice.
Information provided on this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease.
The "New" Prostate Cancer InfoLink is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult your health care provider.
Any person who appears to knowingly render medical advice or promote a professional or commercial service on this site may be removed by the administrators without notice.
Information provided on this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease.
The "New" Prostate Cancer InfoLink is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult your health care provider.
Events
© 2009 Created by Arnon Krongrad, MD on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
