Before I give you Jeff’s first-hand experience of what it is like to chose a Prostatectomy as the correct solution I want to pause and say thank you. Thank you Jeff for being willing to share a very personal experience so we can all understand it!! You are still the man!!
I grew up in Texas with my immediate family including my parents and one brother. We had extensive relatives in Pennsylvania, but not much interaction. As a result, with my family being relatively healthy,we were not subject to exposure to many health issues. My understanding and knowledge of diseases and cancer were very limited. While at an older age, my father had heart issues that were dealt with accordingly through surgery with no lasting problems.
This all changed when my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer around the age of 75. After the initial diagnoses, my parents were challenged with the appropriate treatments recommended. Whether it would be prostate removal or radiation were the recommendations at the time. Doctors were strongly recommending radiation as the appropriate treatment due to my father’s age and the historically slow progress rate of prostate cancer. This is the option of treatment he chose.
After the radiation treatments, my father progressed well for about 7 years. However, after this time passed, his PSA count began to increase. Initially, it increased slowly, then suddenly advanced at an alarming rate. The PSA count began doubling every few weeks. Chemotherapy was recommended and this was conducted. It did not deter the now advanced progress of the cancer. The acceleration was surprising to the doctors that initially noted prostate cancer is a slow advancing disease. Based on the comments I was hearing at this time, I became alarmed and concerned in a manner that I had not previously experienced.
After the cancer accelerated, I was informed by my mother that father’s entire body was affected by cancer. Hearing this information changed my entire thinking about this disease, and undoubtedly my father’s near fate. Eventually, my father was hospitalized and the entire family assembled at the hospital. We continued a constant presence with my father during the stay while other family members had meals or went to hotels for sleep. When awake, my father always wanted to converse and discuss current issues. As my father and I worked together for over 25 years, he asked consistent questions about current projects.
At one point, my father refused any further treatment. My mother had many lengthy conversations with the attending physicians treating my father. Rather than send him home for hospice, they conducted it onsite. My father was heavily medicated for the next day or two, and many times, if medication did not arrive on time, he would scream about the pain he was experiencing. Witnessing this pain was convincing that I would not prefer this experience. My father passed away within a few days and the entire family was present at the time. Based on the past few days at the hospital, his passing was no surprise and not a pleasant experience.
Within two years of my father passing, my PSA count elevated slightly, and my internist recommended evaluating this issue, based on his understanding of my father’s history. At this point, while prostate cancer had never been an issue or worry from my viewpoint, it now became a serious concern. I went for biopsies immediately and was positive on numerous samples collected. At this point, I was referred to a Urologist and conducted my first appointment with my wife Belinda. Belinda was present with me for our visit during my father’s hospital stay and eventual passing. She had witnessed the pain and frustration on my father’s behalf during this time.
During our initial meeting with the Urologist, he reviewed all information regarding my situation, including my father’s recent passing. Based on this history it was recommended to remove my prostate gland. After this recommendation, my wife and I reviewed the options and the pros and cons of the various methods.We also researched opinions and information on current technology and operating procedures regarding the procedure.
Based on all the information provided, and my father’s experience (including his statement – ”If you ever get prostate cancer, have your prostate removed”), we decided that removal of the prostate was the best decision. The surgery was conducted within one month of the initial detection of the elevated PSA count. In addition to the prostate removal, some lymph nodes were also removed to verify the spreading of cancer was not experienced. At this point, five years later, my PSA count remains non-detect and the 2 main potential cons (urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction) noted have not been experienced with any significant problems. This may need some further explanation. While five years later, I feel any issues related to incontinence are not significant, there was a learning curve and changes to standard operating procedures. On a side note, during a race weekend many years ago, a good friend of mine that recently had prostate removal, noted as we passed a port-o-let bathroom, “I never pass an opportunity for relief”. Well, now that I have experienced the changes related to the prostate removal, I understand his comment better
and assure that I provide bladder relief as much as possible. As my Urologist explained after the surgery, he noted that my urinary system went from a two-valve system prior to removal, to a one valve system after the procedure. He also noted that when the bladder fills and the body remains vertical, it needs to be relieved as soon as possible. My experience at this point is never allow the bladder to become close to full. The urologist did note that when horizontal during sleeping periods there is minimal concern about any issues.
At this point, five years later, I am pleased with the decision of removal. My wife and I feel that research into procedures and selecting a good surgeon are critical to a good result. In addition, we were pleased with the robotic procedures and feel these were beneficial to the success of the surgery. While I never believed I would be a victim of any type of cancer, I am relieved that my treatment has been successful at this point and will continue to be monitored with diligence.
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