By the way, I would also use PCRI as a resource for information. The discussions are really helpful, and the Dr. has not stake in the game, but just lays out the facts about various treatment options.
Hang in there Joe! I was nervous about my surgery (as I'd also never had surgery before) and it went well. Best advice I got from Wellness House was "trust your doctors". And I did and I do. Sending prayers!
I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today on 5/6. Catheter was removed 11 days later on 5/17. Two recommendations...start Kegel exercises now. It will help with incontinence after the catheter is removed. 2nd...make sure you get a prescription for Oxybutynin when you're released after surgery. This treats bladder spasms. You may not get them, but you'll be glad to have the medication if you do. I have incontinence, but it has been improving. I started with depends, but now use regular underwear during the day with depends guards. They work well. Still use full depends at night, but mostly because i don't want to risk a leak at night. You'll do fine with the surgery. Even with the incontinence, i don't have any regrets. Start doing the Kegels!
Yes, I have already started the exercises. Sounds like everything going well for you, I am glad. Thank you for your advice and sharing your journey with us.
Good luck with your journey. I got diagnosed last year G7 (3+4) and I opted for surveillance after a consult with surgical and radiation oncologists. You have to be really careful about letting a Doc pressure you into a treatment. When I first got the call that I had PC the Doc was talking about scheduling a surgery date like it was a foregone conclusion. Surgeons want to cut, nuclear docs want to zap. I'm not a doctor but I will give you this advice. Research this until you know more about prostate cancer than your doctors. Know what treatments are out there. The no surgery after radiation thing was debunked a while back. Radiation is more precise now, there are focal therapies out there that can hit just the tumor, or you can wait and watch. If you have a low Gleason score and a low PSA, there's no reason to rush into anything. The only good thing about PC is how slow it is. Ten year survival with no treatment vs. surgery is almost identical. Who knows what advancements they'll make in that time. I wish you the best of luck with the surgery, and I'm hoping that it's the cure.
Great advice. In my situation, my psa went from 3 to 7.2 I'm a year. Also my Father and 2 of his brothers have Prostate cancer so it's best to get it handled.
Darren Smith. Can you give me more information on your prostate cancer numbers. I am 70 years old five cores out of 10 had Gleason of 3 + 4 = 7. The volume of some were 5 and 10%. I feel that if I eat right then I could use metabolic therapy as my defense system. Of course the urologist wants to cut and the radiologist wants to zap You're right!. I am so full of anxiety and stress thinking about this I really appreciate what you just said and your reply. I couldn't agree more!
And you are right I am obsessed everyday looking at the internet researching and listening to stories. I actually in no way will take hormone treatments! My belief is why would they take away testosterone which you need!? It makes you sick/ depressed etc.! I feel that I have a good of a chance my way or their way with their hormone treatments especially.
@ricknowak4582 you have to make your own decision on treatment. I had surgery 3 days ago. That is what I chose. Good luck on your journey. The book I mentioned in one of the videos is very good. Goes over every aspect of prostate cancer
My PCa care as well as all other healthcare is at Northwestern Medicine Chicago I got Lupron injections at Urology on 20th floor Radiation was in basement( Lower concourse for a fancy name) I know about the costs I have over $3000 on a 3yr plan to pay off More is coming It can be hard on us people with limited means God bless you in your treatments You should do well
Mmmm, not exactly spoiled for choice, one or the other essentially. Though there seem to be things like nerve preserving procedures etc, but getting the cancer out takes priority for you by the sound of things, which is very rational decision. Radiation wise probably has not so many options I would guess, radiate till it's gone and that's it. Stay tough bro, not long till the 13th
Reading what you went through and this reply makes me really really think if I am going to take any treatment at all. I see nothing good coming out of these..... treatments.
@ricknowak4582 prostate cancer treatments have come a long way. I chose surgery because I am 57 and don't want to deal with the chance of it coming back with radiation. Do the research and choose what's best for you.
Thank you for your comment. What kind of complications from the radiation did your friends have? I am terrified of having urine retention problems because I am 70 years old and have a hard time starting at night especially when I wake up. And very slow stream. I was told that if I have problems now I'm going to have many problems with the radiation. That is my concern.
@@ricknowak4582from what I understand radiotherapy won’t be suitable for you as it won’t cure the slow flow, but I know these things are complicated so please correct me if you think I’m wrong.
Good to know. In my case my score wasn't high. Looking forward to getting this behind me. Very stressful, I wish everyone suffing from this, including their loved ones, all the strength in the world.
Had mine removed last Sept. Had diapers and pads ready expecting more problems than I had. I found the sizing off on the brands I bought. I should have been in the middle of the range and they were snug. The Depends pullups went by pant size and were more comfortable. Only took a couple of pain pills when I got home. Mostly for gas cramps so I could sleep. No real pain from the surgery. Have them attach your catheter to the leg depending on which side of the bed you sleep on so your catheter doesn't get twisted when you sleep. Hang you night time bag in a wastebasket next to the bed. I had the best of care I could ask for in the hospital. I'll say don't worry too much about the surgery. There will be some inconvenience for a short time but, it gets better. Good Luck, Phil.
Thank you so much for the advice , I so much appreciate it. I will keep everyone posted. Next video should be pre op visit on the 3rd. Great advice on the depends, I was actually just discussing that with my wife.
@@joec42064 You might want to get some Guards before your surgery. You'll need them later anyway. I had a little leakage with the catheter and it saves your underwear. They will not work with loose boxers. Briefs or boxer briefs.
I’ve had both, surgery in 2009( the old open type) and radiation 6 years later and now experiencing my second treatment failure. Tips for surgery is to get your kedgel exercises established well before the surgery and enter a penile rehab programme as soon as possible afterwards, good luck from Australia 🦘
Gleason 7 here, 4=3. Had radiation, five treatments over a 10 day period. With the increasing accuracy of radiation, no reason to choose surgery over radiation. You can have radiation and then surgery, so this was incorrect. Imagine: a surgeon recommending surgery!!! I would discuss with a radiation oncologist before making a final decision. Good luck!
Have you had any urine retention or other urinary problems after your intense radiation therapy? I have urinary problems already especially at night slow stream hard starting that kind of thing and I am told that radiation will exasperate the situation especially if I choose the rapid radiation like you were doing. Thoughts?
By the way, I would also use PCRI as a resource for information. The discussions are really helpful, and the Dr. has not stake in the game, but just lays out the facts about various treatment options.
I agree. PCRI a wealth of info, I decided on surgery. I'm 6 days in on recovering. I'm a believer in Christ so I'm trusting God for the rest.
Hang in there Joe! I was nervous about my surgery (as I'd also never had surgery before) and it went well. Best advice I got from Wellness House was "trust your doctors". And I did and I do. Sending prayers!
Thank you for the encouragement. I definitely trust my doctors. Just got done with a book he wrote on prostate cancer.
Yep, like many of us I did tons of reserch before deciding and concluded surgery was the best option. Had mine at NW Chicago in October 2021.
I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today on 5/6. Catheter was removed 11 days later on 5/17. Two recommendations...start Kegel exercises now. It will help with incontinence after the catheter is removed. 2nd...make sure you get a prescription for Oxybutynin when you're released after surgery. This treats bladder spasms. You may not get them, but you'll be glad to have the medication if you do. I have incontinence, but it has been improving. I started with depends, but now use regular underwear during the day with depends guards. They work well. Still use full depends at night, but mostly because i don't want to risk a leak at night. You'll do fine with the surgery. Even with the incontinence, i don't have any regrets. Start doing the Kegels!
Yes, I have already started the exercises. Sounds like everything going well for you, I am glad. Thank you for your advice and sharing your journey with us.
@@joec42064 You're welcome! Hope the info helps!
Good luck with your journey. I got diagnosed last year G7 (3+4) and I opted for surveillance after a consult with surgical and radiation oncologists. You have to be really careful about letting a Doc pressure you into a treatment. When I first got the call that I had PC the Doc was talking about scheduling a surgery date like it was a foregone conclusion. Surgeons want to cut, nuclear docs want to zap. I'm not a doctor but I will give you this advice. Research this until you know more about prostate cancer than your doctors. Know what treatments are out there. The no surgery after radiation thing was debunked a while back. Radiation is more precise now, there are focal therapies out there that can hit just the tumor, or you can wait and watch. If you have a low Gleason score and a low PSA, there's no reason to rush into anything. The only good thing about PC is how slow it is. Ten year survival with no treatment vs. surgery is almost identical. Who knows what advancements they'll make in that time. I wish you the best of luck with the surgery, and I'm hoping that it's the cure.
Great advice. In my situation, my psa went from 3 to 7.2 I'm a year. Also my Father and 2 of his brothers have Prostate cancer so it's best to get it handled.
Darren Smith. Can you give me more information on your prostate cancer numbers. I am 70 years old five cores out of 10 had Gleason of 3 + 4 = 7. The volume of some were 5 and 10%. I feel that if I eat right then I could use metabolic therapy as my defense system. Of course the urologist wants to cut and the radiologist wants to zap You're right!. I am so full of anxiety and stress thinking about this I really appreciate what you just said and your reply. I couldn't agree more!
And you are right I am obsessed everyday looking at the internet researching and listening to stories. I actually in no way will take hormone treatments! My belief is why would they take away testosterone which you need!? It makes you sick/ depressed etc.! I feel that I have a good of a chance my way or their way with their hormone treatments especially.
@ricknowak4582 you have to make your own decision on treatment. I had surgery 3 days ago. That is what I chose. Good luck on your journey. The book I mentioned in one of the videos is very good. Goes over every aspect of prostate cancer
@@joec42064me too. GS4+3, psa after 5 months 0.018
My PCa care as well as all other healthcare is at Northwestern Medicine Chicago I got Lupron injections at Urology on 20th floor Radiation was in basement( Lower concourse for a fancy name) I know about the costs I have over $3000 on a 3yr plan to pay off More is coming It can be hard on us people with limited means God bless you in your treatments You should do well
Mmmm, not exactly spoiled for choice, one or the other essentially. Though there seem to be things like nerve preserving procedures etc, but getting the cancer out takes priority for you by the sound of things, which is very rational decision. Radiation wise probably has not so many options I would guess, radiate till it's gone and that's it. Stay tough bro, not long till the 13th
18th. Thanks brother
Hope it went well 🦇
I had surgery in 2015 , mine has come back twice, been on Lupron for almost 4 years, and it sucks
sorry to hear that. Hope you are doing okay.
Had robotic radical prostectomy at UCI 2021, PSA undetectable for nearly 2.5 years. But recently ticked up from
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I hope all works out with you and please keep us informed.
Reading what you went through and this reply makes me really really think if I am going to take any treatment at all. I see nothing good coming out of these..... treatments.
@ricknowak4582 prostate cancer treatments have come a long way. I chose surgery because I am 57 and don't want to deal with the chance of it coming back with radiation. Do the research and choose what's best for you.
Thank you for your comment. What kind of complications from the radiation did your friends have? I am terrified of having urine retention problems because I am 70 years old and have a hard time starting at night especially when I wake up. And very slow stream. I was told that if I have problems now I'm going to have many problems with the radiation. That is my concern.
@@ricknowak4582from what I understand radiotherapy won’t be suitable for you as it won’t cure the slow flow, but I know these things are complicated so please correct me if you think I’m wrong.
If you have a high gleason score they don't recommend surgery..because you end up doing both
Good to know. In my case my score wasn't high. Looking forward to getting this behind me. Very stressful, I wish everyone suffing from this, including their loved ones, all the strength in the world.
Had mine removed last Sept. Had diapers and pads ready expecting more problems than I had. I found the sizing off on the brands I bought. I should have been in the middle of the range and they were snug. The Depends pullups went by pant size and were more comfortable. Only took a couple of pain pills when I got home. Mostly for gas cramps so I could sleep. No real pain from the surgery. Have them attach your catheter to the leg depending on which side of the bed you sleep on so your catheter doesn't get twisted when you sleep. Hang you night time bag in a wastebasket next to the bed. I had the best of care I could ask for in the hospital. I'll say don't worry too much about the surgery. There will be some inconvenience for a short time but, it gets better. Good Luck, Phil.
Thank you so much for the advice , I so much appreciate it. I will keep everyone posted. Next video should be pre op visit on the 3rd. Great advice on the depends, I was actually just discussing that with my wife.
@@joec42064 You might want to get some Guards before your surgery. You'll need them later anyway. I had a little leakage with the catheter and it saves your underwear. They will not work with loose boxers. Briefs or boxer briefs.
I’ve had both, surgery in 2009( the old open type) and radiation 6 years later and now experiencing my second treatment failure. Tips for surgery is to get your kedgel exercises established well before the surgery and enter a penile rehab programme as soon as possible afterwards, good luck from Australia 🦘
Thank you for sharing. Best of luck to you as well. Great advice.
Gleason 7 here, 4=3. Had radiation, five treatments over a 10 day period. With the increasing accuracy of radiation, no reason to choose surgery over radiation. You can have radiation and then surgery, so this was incorrect. Imagine: a surgeon recommending surgery!!! I would discuss with a radiation oncologist before making a final decision. Good luck!
Have you had any urine retention or other urinary problems after your intense radiation therapy? I have urinary problems already especially at night slow stream hard starting that kind of thing and I am told that radiation will exasperate the situation especially if I choose the rapid radiation like you were doing. Thoughts?
Northwestern has the best prostate doctors in the world.
So far I agree with you.
Research genuineessiac