The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #84216   Message #1554029
Posted By: Auggie
01-Sep-05 - 02:48 PM
Thread Name: BS: Prostate cancer
Subject: RE: BS: Prostate cancer
Scares the crap out of you at first, doesn't it, Guest Guy? I know the feeling. I was diagnosed in Dec of 2000 with stage 2 prostate cancer.

If you've done your homework you know there are three common treatment options, surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy.
Which one is best for you depends on the stage of your disease and your age and general health. Watchful waiting is a fourth option, one usually reserved for older (ouch! Sorry Art!) patients or less agressive tumors.

I had a radical prostatectomy (the surgery). I looked until I found a really good, really experienced surgeon, who got me through with no incontinence problems at all. He was also able to leave the nerves which control erections; even so, it took about a year and a half for that to return to normal. I was off work about 4 wks. tho I probably could have gone back sooner. I'm not tough, but 99% of the ordeal, including the surgery, didn't hurt all that much.

The National Cancer Institute has a lot of good info on their web site at
Prostate Cancer Blue Clicky




If you'd like, PM me. Life can be good afterwards.