Prostate Cancer. The after effects.
I had prostate cancer diagnosed last year and posted a note here because I had difficulty deciding which treatment to go with. I was offered surgery and radio treatment of various kinds. I was lucky in that it had been diagnosed before becoming a problem. I had no symptoms. It showed up on a PSA blood test and then was put forward for biopsy. The results showed a Gleason scale rating of 7 with 2 out of 6 on one side and 5 out of 6 on the other. I pondered long and hard and asked here for help which produced no suggestions and no help. Look at the lists of posts with number of hits reading and then number of answers to a number of different cancers. Men with cancer want answers but are not prepared to talk.
There were a number of things worrying me. First that I would lose my ability to have erections and a normal sex life after and second that I would lose control of my bladder and worse case scenario my bowel as well. It would have been my second cancer operation. 5 years ago I had a kidney removed at St Vincents. I saw the same consultant and team this time and had great confidence in them. They told me that they could make no promises as to the after and side effects of the operation. This was hard.
The other consultant also said the same. The crucial piece of information that decided me was that with surgery all the damage, side effects and after effects of the op would be up front and be there when I woke up and that would be the worse it could be. There after it could only get better. And it did.
With radio therapy in all the different options the effects are not apparent until sometime later and cannot be measured before. You have only to wait and see what developes later. This can take up to a year or more. The initial effects apart from the inconvenience of attending the clinics regularly over maybe a 6 week period are limited. After the end of their treatments you might feel great and cured with no ill effects. They can arrive later. The other crucial information I gleaned was that with radio therapy if the cancer came back there was nothing a surgeon can do because of too much soft tissue damage to the area This would leave only chemo. Whereas with surgery all three options are still there. More surgery, chemo and radio.
I chose surgery and am delighted with the results. Because of the location of the tumour all the prostate had to be removed including the nerves controlling erections. I followed advice and did lots of pelvic floor exercises before and after and am convinced it did a lot of good. I still do them once a week for couple of minutes.
I take viagra now and things are almost normal again with sex. Not quite but hey I don't have cancer anymore. I have no problems with incontinence in the bladder or bowel. This took maybe 5 weeks to come back but it did. Positive thinking and exercises worked.
I hope this helps someone out there not able to make up their minds. I know none of us have the same problems and lives to lead and in other circumstances I might have chosen differently. I am 65 now with lots more life to live. Good luck.
Comments
Hi JimCo60,
It is such a fact that men don't discuss issues as much as women, but as you know, us women are renowned for our ability to talk!!!!
I'm wondering if you would consider elaborating on the after effects more, aside from the short term incontinence and erectile function? Only so as I might be able to show this post to someone I know that is recently diagnosed, and is only starting out on the road of treatment?
Take care and wishing you continued health x
Hi Jimco60,
Many thanks for writing this post/blog.
I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer 3 months ago , and I was give 7 different options from HIFI, Freezing, 2 forms of Radiotherapy , 3 removal procedures.
I have done my research , mostly alone , I did talk to 3 people but these are rare species as men are not forthcoming in talking and women are embarrassed - at least Irish women. Middle aged men and women just don't like talking about ED and incontinence even though it's what we all do perform on a regular basis.
anyway after much deliberation, I have decided to go for a Prostatectomy in 2 weeks time with Nerve sparing techniques...
basically in order of priority I have a) to be cured; b) to be dry and c) to be erect.
So great to see that you are 'back to normal' again and it's also good to read that someone with a similar condition comes through this ordeal... gives me reassurance.
Dear Rcyawl and Jimco60,
Thanks for your posts. I’m glad to see that you Jimco60 are recovering well after your treatment and wish you Rcyawl all the best for your surgery and hope that you will have an uneventful recovery. It’s great to see that you are using the Irish Cancer Society’s message board and have the opportunity to connect with others. I hope that this too will encourage other men with prostate cancer to join here and post messages to each other and exchange experiences and gain support from others in a similar position.
The message board offers an anonymous (as you register with a pseudonym) place to write and exchange information with others. It would be wonderful if we could get the conversation going so that this could be another place where you can seek further support around prostate cancer. We would like to take this opportunity to invite other men who may be reading the posts to register too so that it becomes a useful resource for you.
Finally, we would like to draw to your attention that we have web materials and booklets in relation to prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and incontinence, please see some links below.
We would also be happy to put you in touch with a member of MAC (Men against Cancer), and know that you can phone a prostate nurse specialist here on the National Cancer Helpline 1800 200 700 if you would like further information, advice and support in confidence (Mon-Thurs 9-7, Fri 9-7).
http://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information/prostate-cancer
http://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/file ... e_2012.pdf (PDF)
http://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/file ... y_2011.pdf (PDF)
http://www.irishcancer.ie/sites/default ... nction.pdf (PDF)
http://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/file ... lems_2.pdf (PDF)
Kind regards,
Cancer Information Nurse
Thank you Cancer Information Nurse.
I am downloading as I write this.
At this stage , whilst sleepless nights are consitant thinking about cancer, I want this operation over asap.
These forums are important as it connects people together.
Since my diagnosis in Feb. I have found that the best people to talk to are people who have gone through this. Families and loved ones are brilliant but they don't give the same reassurance as men who have recovered from this ordeal.
The challenge with sufferers of Prostate Cancer is that they normally fit into an older demographic and thus are generally not Internet friendly. This is a timing issue as will expand in the coming years but for now I would assume that most with the cancer are not online on a daily basis .
Already , since my diagnosis, two men have called me asking for advice. I am not qualified nor that knowledgable but (in typical Irish fashion) a friend of a friend told me yada yada yada etc. So we need to work harder as a society to help each other.
We need to combine, your phone support, on line and support groups together and encourage all men to use as they see fit.
I am not sure how I can help /assist but i would be happy to if required.
First things first.... I have a preop this week and 'going-in' next Tues.
Would people like all the gory details?????
Rcyawl
Hi JimCo60,
Thank you for your very heartwarming post. I am sorry that you didn't get any replies back when you were looking for answers and I am so glad that your treatment went well.
I think your story is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing it.
Best of luck
Kath