likely to have PC

likely to have PC

User

Posted 30 Mar 2017 at 14:49

Excellent news Lola.

Time to accept what the specialist says and just enjoy the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your holiday with family and friends.

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 10:29

Hi al.

Maybe what I'm asking is a silly question as it all depends on what will be found from da Vinci op . Anyway: the surgeon had not mentioned RT, HT or chemo. I assume some of these therapies may be necessary?

His last PSA was 4,2 and 4+3=7 Gleason.

Best to all

Lola

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 11:33

Sorry, me again.

My husband wants me to ask about Da Vinci post operation. Any information from someone who has gone through this would be appreciated . Was it painful? Could you easily pee, for how long did you have the catheter, etc. The date is coming closer and closer, like a scary zoom :(

Thanks in advance,

Lola.

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 12:00

Lola, chemo is only used for men who are incurable as prostate cancer cannot be cured with chemo.

RT and HT would only be used if your husband's surgery failed.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 12:02

Thanks, Lyn. You're anyways wise and supportive.
Hug

Lola

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 12:58

Typo
Anyway= always

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 15:03

Hi Lola
After the operation I was walking around in the ward about an hour after arriving there from recovery but was taking pain killers. My testicle were bruised and swollen and there was discomfort in this area for a couple of weeks. I wouldn't say that I experienced any pain just some discomfort. I had the catheter in for 8 days. I had no problem peeing or any discomfort from the catheter. After the catheter was removed I had incontinence for about 5 months and leak even now if I sneeze or cough violently.
We all have different experiences post op but he needs to remember that it is major surgery so he must give himself time to recover.
All the best.

Kevan

User

Posted 04 Apr 2017 at 15:38

Thanks a lot for narrating your experience.

I'm translating it for my husband and letting him know, as you say, he shouldn't forget it is major surgery.

Good luck with your PSA.

LOLA.

User

Posted 07 Apr 2017 at 14:39

Hi there,

As usual I've got a question for you, those who may know and have a response about it for me.

My husband's PSA previous to biopsy was 4'2. Three weeks after biopsy it has shot to 4'82. There could be any relation between biopsy and PSA increase after 3 weeks?

Regards
Lola.

User

Posted 07 Apr 2017 at 23:20

Hi Lola,

As you know I have no medical training so only have our experience to report.

We were told a PSA after a big biopsy was pointless because the biopsy would make the prostate very unhappy until it recovered.

My husband had to wait 3 months after the biopsy before they did another PSA.

Regards

Clare

User

Posted 08 Apr 2017 at 03:40

Thanks, Clare, Very clarifying.

How is OH doing? Still in the US?

Hope everything is going well.

Hug from Spain,

Lola.

User

Posted 09 Apr 2017 at 23:15

Hi Lola,

Back in England now and OH doing well thank you. He has blood in the urine as expected and a dull aches from time to time. The consultant said no heavy lifting and zero exercise apart from walking. He is back at work tomorrow but keeping his diary light all being well. The consultant said his prostate will be swollen for around 3 months.

He also has reacted to the low dose Cialis 5mg per day to help blood flow - he got the list of side effects! .. Rash, headache, back ache, leg ache! So we e mailed the US team and they replied to stop straight away so medication wise he is just on his flow max ( the alpha blocker) now. No further issue of retention, no incontinence and flow improving but still not back to speed. Reverse kegals help when he is peeing!

I hope you are OK

Regards

Clare

User

Posted 10 Apr 2017 at 05:13

Hi, Clare,

Back to work? That's great.
I'm glad OH is doing well and consequently, your concern and worries are relieved.

Sorry, what does "kegals" mean? Maybe pelvic exercises or something like this?

On my part, we are awaiting the date 25th. We'll be going to Madrid on the 18th so OH has some last test before operation and meet the surgeon. I hope Paco will do as well as your OH.

Congrats!! You've overcome the dread. Now, enjoy life but keep care.

Regards,

Lola.

User

Posted 10 Apr 2017 at 21:08

Thank you Lola, it's v early days and of course my OH had no symptoms so wasn't ill in anyway before the procedure. So yes he has gone back to work today but trying to be sensible whilst his prostate forgives him for the rough treatment it has been put through!

Kegels are pelvic floor excercises and he was taught to do three in reverse so as to completely relaxthe pelvic floor a few times each day and then when peeing so as to help with the flow during recovery. He finds it very helpful as his flow is still not back up to pre procedure speed but is improving.

Good luck with Madrid We are getting on with life with fingers crossed for next PSA test ( first post procedure PSA) .

Big hugs Lola

Clare

User

Posted 11 Apr 2017 at 07:19

Hi all.

I often read here about "clear margins" post operation. I don't know what that means. As my OH is shortly having Da Vinci surgery I'd like to know what it is. I guess it has something to do with histology, PCa being spread and so on? I'd appreciate if someone explained it to me.

Regards,

Lola.

User

Posted 11 Apr 2017 at 10:58

Lola clear or negative margins generally means the surgeon has got all the cancer cells . Positive margins mean there are cancer cells near or at the edge of the organ/ tissue that is removed. If the cancer cells are at the edge of the removed tissue there is a chance that there "might" still be some cells left in the surrounding tissue that is not removed.

Some hospitals now offer RT soon after surgery if there are positive margins. I had my DaVinci three years ago and unfortunately the PSA has risen and I have just started salvage RT.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 13 Apr 2017 at 05:53

Thanks, Chris.

I've read your profile. My husband is also Gleason 4+3=7 PSA 4.2 an then , after biopsy procedure, 4´7

Off the MP MRI previous to biopsy seminal vesicles, nerves and nodes din't seem to be afected but the report said there was a possibility of minimal extraprostatic afectation. Does it mean margins might be positive after surgery?

Sorry for asking so many questions, but the Da Vinci is coming in a few days and as time goe I'm becoming more and more nervous.

Thanks again.

Regards, Lola.

User

Posted 13 Apr 2017 at 05:55

Sorry, I still have one more question: did you have, or do generally people have biopsies during operation?

Lola.

User

Posted 13 Apr 2017 at 06:12

Hi Lola
The prostate gland in its entirety is removed as skillfully as possible. I watched a video and it's really difficult work. The whole organ is surrounded by muscle , tissue , nerves etc. it defeats me how they do it at all. When they take the gland to the lab they check for cancer cells wherever the scalpel has made a clear cut. Obviously if they find cells on the edge then it's likely they have left cells behind in the body. Also the gland is re biopsied and the Gleason score is often upgraded under lab precision and conditions. It's not a nice disease and a difficult operation. 50% of men that have the op go on to need radiotherapy at a later date like Chris above and many others on this site. And even after RT up to 40% get further recurrence. As Lyn said , at her hospital they offer the op immediately followed by RT which is called adjuvant treatment rather than salvage treatment.
Best wishes and fingers crossed for you

If life gives you lemons , then make lemonade

User

Posted 13 Apr 2017 at 06:45

Lola

I think there was one guy who had a "live" biopsy during his op, in simple terms I think they take a sample of tissue during the op and test it while the patient is still on the table too see if they have got it all.

As CJ has said they check the prostate post op and regrade it etc.

Does "extraprostatic extension mean positive margins ?" Not really sure I can answer that, my assumption is that even though it means the tumour has broken out of the capsule if they cut it all out the margin at that point would be negative. Of course it could be positive it another part of the removed tissue. I am sure someone will have a definite answer.

Hope all goes well and try to stop worrying.

A couple of tips for the first days post op, Do not get constipated and no straining to pass the first motions. Keep mobile but no running marathons.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 13 Apr 2017 at 06:47 | Reason: Not specified

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