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5 hours ago, Dalai said:

I dislike the fact that rare cancers are ignored and sufferers have to pay for some drugs when with mainstream cancers it is fre

I hate cancer! All the best to those who have been touched by this scourge!

You are not alone there. Totally unfair.  You have had it tough.

 

 

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6 minutes ago, TINGY944 said:

I reckon he would not let you wait another 12 days if something had shown up mate;)

I wouldn't have thought so either, I was looking forward to talking about a couple of things and progress.

Driving comfort is improving, not SMT standard/endurance yet.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Check up yesterday, doctor was well. ?

Results of last PSA showed nil detectable cancer. ??

Incontinence improving.....continue with kegal exercises.

Follow up PSA and checkup in 3 months.

No discomfort when driving now, well slushbox anyway. Will try a real gearbox in next couple of days after giving her a wash.

 

Legal stuff following operation:

Doctor said he thought 4 weeks due to CTP insurance.

Highway Patrol - no restrictions, up to doctor

Comprehensive insurance - no restrictions, up to doctor.

CTP- no restrictions, up to doctor

CASA - no fly for minimum 6 to 8 weeks.

 

CAUTION to everyone - DVT is a real risk for 3 months after surgery.

 

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  • 1 month later...
12 minutes ago, Niko said:

Excellent stuff Brian.    Great news.:D

Thanks Niko.

Neighbours friend was PSA 5.0.  Doctor said it should be ok, 3 years on, it turned out to be the aggressive type of cancer and has spread.

Neighbour had his out with early intermediate diagnosed.  When biopsied there was a small aggressive type tumour that didn't show on the biopsy. Lucky boy.

Shows that you can't mess about with this !

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  • 2 months later...

Thought I was doing everything right, no lifting, bending etc.. All clear from CASA, new job back in Darwin.  First week in DN and in hospital with e-coli for 3 days. Turns out a weakened bladder can let bugs in when you go for a swim.

Back home to recover and wifey wants wood cut, been more than 4 months, no problem, all clear from Dr.  Three 7x4 trailer loads, cut,  split, stacked then back to the warm country.  First weekend off I noticed a lump near one of the incision scars.  Damn....hernia !!

Next op scheduled for 8th November......then another 4 to 6 weeks off  ??

At least I will miss "the build up"

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Guys,

it's Prostate Awareness month....apparently, so there is something I haven't mentioned in this whole process which helps with recovery from a radical prostatectomy and that is exercises.  Don't panic, it's doesn't involve running, spending hours in the gym or heavy lifting (not in my case anyway ?).  They are called Kegal Exercises or pelvic floor (muscle) exercises. If your Mrs has had a baby she will know all about them.

Basically when you lose the P they take one of the sphincters that control bladder control with it, which results in incontinence, so will need to wear pads for awhile. Yeah back in nappies.  Not as bad or obvious as you think.  To compensate and to regain some control begin the exercise a minimum 4 weeks prior to the op. and continue 4 weeks post op.

My best advise here is to seek out a prostate physiotherapist.  Don't rely on the couple of pages of info that are handed to you, which can be contradicting.  Your specialist should know where to find them.  Worth every cent. Be prepared to drop your pants and have them look between your legs while you are shown the exercises. A lot of women in this field, probably because of the baby thing, so don't be shy and don't be crude, they have probably heard and seen it all anyway.  Yes, mine is a young woman and fantastic.

 Really funny, she asked,

"do you want me to leave the room while you get undressed?"

"Why? you are going to be getting a close up look anyway."

Control varies with the patient, could be three months, could be thirteen months or if really unlucky....it's pads forever.  Chemist Warehouse is the cheapest or buy in bulk online.  It's not that bad.

There are support groups available too, with blokes going through the same thing.  I haven't explored this avenue yet.

The other part to this is the other function, that nobody wants to talk about, ERECTILE DISFUNCTION.  Yes, it's real.  Unfortunately nerves get cut or damaged.  Again recovery could be slow, pretty much the same time frame as the incontinence and again better results are achieved by plenty of exercise prior to the operation. Good news eh ?  Just don't get to the stage where the Mrs is scared every time you walk in.

Post op, like all muscles you must exercise. Don't be too concerned that nothing is happening, the idea is to maintain blood flow until the body (nerves) recovers.  Your Physio will advise on a course of action......visual stimulation, medications and implants etc.

See, you actually get permission from a Dr.  "Just doing my exercises as the physio ordered dear"

Good news,  for those without a P problem, is that the Kegal exercises could improve your function too.

For those with a swollen P, no big C, then the options could be medication, possibly for the rest of your life, or an ablation. Basically a rebore, removing material from inside the prostate gland, via the urethra, to reduce internal bulk.  Brings tears to your eyes doesn't it?

Final note here is that the exercises will not improve your pre op function and operation.  Whatever you had prior to the op. is the best you can expect to achieve post op, so don't expect miracles.

If anyone wants a good book on prostate recovery, I can recommend Prostate Recovery MAP, subtitled Men's Action Plan 2, by Craig Allingham, only 64 pages, easy reading. Only $10 to $15 depending on where you buy it. My physio gave me a copy.

Happy Prostate Awareness month ?

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Seems like a perfect opportunity to plug my charity cause (if this is not ok just let me know and I will delete this post!), raising money for cancer!

The event happens monday 15th, round Tassie for a week!

https://m.facebook.com/tasdrive/?ref_component=mbasic_bookmark&ref_page=%2Fwap%2Fhome.php&refid=7

Sounds like things are starting to go ok for you. Best of good fortunes to you!

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24 minutes ago, ANF said:

Seems like a perfect opportunity to plug my charity cause (if this is not ok just let me know and I will delete this post!), raising money for cancer!

The event happens monday 15th, round Tassie for a week!

https://m.facebook.com/tasdrive/?ref_component=mbasic_bookmark&ref_page=%2Fwap%2Fhome.php&refid=7

Sounds like things are starting to go ok for you. Best of good fortunes to you!

No problem with me. What has surprised me is how widespread these P problems are.

I have mentioned previously and should act as a warning.  Don't be in a rush to do heavy work, even if the Dr says it's ok ad the Mrs wants firewood cut.  I now have a hernia which will require an op, which is booked in for 8th November.  This means out of action for at least 4 weeks.....again ?

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  • 5 weeks later...

Ok, it's been another 3 months and the periodic PSA test has come back as zero again, so good result so far.

Just another note on incontinence.  There are basically 3 events where leakage can occur.  Not everyone has these issues.  Could be lucky and not have these issues or have one or two, or have the lot.

First is your everyday type where physical movement or strain can cause leakage, such as bending, lifting, twisting.

Second is arousal incontinence.  Pretty much as the name implies

Third is at climax.  

These can be distressing and can be depressing, trust me.  Seek out support groups or blokes that have or are going through the same thing.  There are plenty out there, you just don't know it.  Would you know PFA existed if you didn't have an interest in Porsches ?

Good news is that the Kegal exercises can help, so keep doing them, and do them properly, even if the results aren't happening as quick as you would like.  Everyone is different with different rates of recovery, so don't overdo the exercises because it won't decrease the recovery time, in fact, it will increase it because muscles get tired and too much can cause strain and then you will need to allow them to recover before progressing.  Weight lifters don't go straight up to 400kg !

"Patience Grasshopper" is the key.

I should also mention that arousal doesn't seem to happen when you want, initially.  The operation seems to have cut the cable to the brain.  Just waiting for the technicians (nerves) to make repairs.  Climax will feel different and be dry because the semenal ducts and associated nerves are cut during the prostatectomy. 

BTW, climax can happen without erection.

Unfortunately,  if the exercises don't give the results you want then surgical and/or mechanical aids may be your answer.  I am not going into these because there is plenty of info on the net/web.  At this stage I don't need or want them.  My physio says that I should be dry by March 2019, all going well.

This is probably more unpleasant information than you wanted to hear but it's a reality I never wanted to experience either and I knew nothing about any of this beforehand.  With an 85% increase in detection of this type of cancer in 45 to 65 age group in recent times, I think it's worth the embarrasment to get the message out.

Please PM me if you want to chat.

All the best

 

 

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