Symptoms after surgery&progress since surgery.

Hello mate
As someone said to me , this is a MUCH larger op than you think, and although pain isn't too bad there has been lots of muscle and flesh cut to access the surgery site itself. Firstly take it easy ok. You sound really eager to get better as did I at 48 yrs old. So patience is key. I'm now exactly at 6 months post op. My testicles were AGONY for ages although not swollen or bruised. My pubic area and thighs are still numb and this can be normal and may never recover. All I was given was a pump which I have used every day. I think it's vital you try to get an erection as often as possible to keep things working. I'm gutted I've had zero return of natural function yet. The pump works great and I can use it effectively for penetration whenever needed. My orgasm was awfully weak to start with , then got back to maybe 70% of my norm. Now unfortunately it's getting rubbish. This is upsetting me immensely. I have quite a lot of pain in my bladder area which has been put down to adhesions , where wounds stick and heal together. I didn't have da vinci but hand laparoscopic which may explain my apparently slower healing and recovery. Although we liked and trusted my surgeon he was very heavy handed ( flash back to the cystoscopy from hell arggghh ). On a good note I was dry immediately and only wear a pad if out for a whole day. This is not needed either but gives me extra confidence. My cancer has spread and has not been cured. This could also be giving me problems.
Your results look good. Someone can advise you about RADS probably. I wish you all the very best with recovery. It's an awful disease which affects you mentally as well. We are all here to help. Good luck
Chris

Hi PB2,
had you ever had a vasectomy (the snip)? If not, you have now had it done as part of your op and if you ask any of your mates who have had the snip they will probably recall pain in the scrotum being one of the side effects. Everything has been shifted and mucked about so pain and twinges should not be a surprise.

As for the trial, it depends on your liking for a bit of a wager I think. I have never been in a betting shop in my life but others love the thrill. With a post-op PSA of almost 0.1 you could enter the trial on a 'just in case' basis but have to be prepared for the possibility that you are going to have unnecessary treatment with unnecessary side effects. Alternatively, you could decline the trial but then find your PSA starts to climb and you end up with salvage treatment.

Talk to the oncologist - ask exactly why the trial was suggested to you, what the different arms are and what happens if you go on the trial but it becomes clear later that you need the option that was another arm.

Hi I would definitely speak to the oncol. That's what I did when my post op PSA came in at 0.06. She decided to keep an eye on my PSA which started to creep up over a couple of months. When it reached 0.089 she recommended RT which I had and I don't regret that decision.

Your PSA may start to drop but it won't hurt to keep an eye on it over the next month or so

Bri