Hello Susan. Do you mind me asking how your husband is progressing. I have just recently undergone surgery, Monday last week, with the da Vinci method. Today I received my pathology result which unfortunately put my Gleason score at 9 so puts me at high risk of the cancer returning. At this stage my doctor wants to do a PSA test in two months which will determine what is next in the way of treatment. Even though I wouldn't suggest to anyone that it be put on their bucket list I must say the whole procedure, including having a catheter for a week, hasn't been traumatic as I was expecting. Also, after the catheter was removed I have almost no incontinence. It now becomes a waiting game but my Wife and I are not going to dwell on what might be. We have a caravan and intend using it until the wheels fall off! lol. ... View more

Hello Susan. Do you mind me asking how your husband is progressing. I have just recently undergone surgery, Monday last week, with the da Vinci method. Today I received my pathology result which unfortunately put my Gleason score at 9 so puts me at high risk of the cancer returning. At this stage my doctor wants to do a PSA test in two months which will determine what is next in the way of treatment. Even though I wouldn't suggest to anyone that it be put on their bucket list I must say the whole procedure, including having a catheter for a week, hasn't been traumatic as I was expecting. Also, after the catheter was removed I have almost no incontinence. It now becomes a waiting game but my Wife and I are not going to dwell on what might be. We have a caravan and intend using it until the wheels fall off! lol. ... View more

Hello Susan. Do you mind me asking how your husband is progressing. I have just recently undergone surgery, Monday last week, with the da Vinci method. Today I received my pathology result which unfortunately put my Gleason score at 9 so puts me at high risk of the cancer returning. At this stage my doctor wants to do a PSA test in two months which will determine what is next in the way of treatment. Even though I wouldn't suggest to anyone that it be put on their bucket list I must say the whole procedure, including having a catheter for a week, hasn't been traumatic as I was expecting. Also, after the catheter was removed I have almost no incontinence. It now becomes a waiting game but my Wife and I are not going to dwell on what might be. We have a caravan and intend using it until the wheels fall off! lol. ... View more

Hi, I have decided to have surgery. My decision to go this path was based on removing the source of the cancer and, with pathology, know immediately if the cancer has started to metastasise. My wife has been very much a part of my decision and we are very aware of the side effects. ... View more

Hello Susan. I am so appreciative of having someone I can talk with, especially considering your Husband had the Da Vinci surgery and thank you being open with me regarding certain aspects. I am sorry the surgery for him didn't remove all the cancer and hope his future treatment will be successful. Again I refer to my friend who had radiation therapy six years ago and is on hormone therapy and has been told his cancer has been halted. My reason for first seeing a Urologist 25 years ago was for kidney stones but he also started the process of regular prostate checks. When I was referred to the Urological Surgeon my first question was why wasn't it detected earlier with a DRE. He said unfortunately not all tumours are palpable. My only symptom was a slowly rising PSA. I am in Adelaide and the surgeon is only one of a few who use the Da Vinci method. ... View more

Hello Susan. I misread your first message and didn't realize he had the surgery. What method of surgery did he have and what post operative symptoms did he experience. Assuming surgery will still be an option for me when I next see the Urologist on July 28 it will be the Da Vinci robot method. I have done lots of reading and research and have reached a point where I need to stop because it is only confusing me as to which way to go. My story really started 25 years ago when I first started seeing a Urologist and have done so annually since. I was always under the assumption if I got prostate cancer it would be an early detection but unfortunately hasn't been the case for me. As you would appreciate my first reaction was anger but soon realized to remain angry was just negative and wasted energy. My approach now is to try and maintain a positive attitude and have let all those around me know I am very willing to talk it and answer any questions. I even joke about some aspects of it which probably makes some people squirm a little but hope my approach to it all will brush off onto them. ... View more

Hi.Sorry to hear of your Husband's diagnosis. I assume his is being referred to as Localised as mine is. I am about to have a few scans which I assume will give some indication of potential spread from the Prostate. I am 66 and am seeing a Urological Surgeon. He has given me three options of treatment, surgery or two types of radiation. I feel like I am driving around a roundabout that has three exits and can't decide which one to take. Obviously the Surgeon would favour surgery but if I choose that path would need to have crossed off a lot of concerns before making that decision. You are correct by saying it is very overwhelming and there are a lot of questions to ask. I am involving my wife in every step including decision making. I have a friend who was diagnosed six years ago at age 64 with a Gleason score of 8.5 and underwent radiation and hormone therapy and now his cancer has been halted. I have spoken at length with him over the last few days about his experience. He considers himself to be leading a normal lifestyle and has a very positive attitude. My real name is Michael and I would be more than happy for us to maintain contact and "compare notes" ... View more