I will be 62 in August, was diagnosed with Gleason 6, T1c-non-agressive/contained with positive results from 2 of the 6(13 samples)zones. Initially my response was not to have
surgery, choosing to go with 'watchful waiting' and natural treatments as my
research indicated that prostate
surgery is over-prescribed in the U.S. and most men will live with prostate cancer all their lives and die from some other cause. This will depend on age of course. However, after discussions with the urologist/surgeon, I decided to go ahead with robotic
surgery, this was in early March 2009. Incontinence went away after several weeks BUT impotence remains.
Viagra doesnt work and I dont have insurance to pay for it. Penis injection works and works incredibly, 2 hour erections. BUT, climax isnt the same and doesnt always happen irregardless of how long we try. My partner enjoys it and is wonderfully satisfied and that's fine with me. BUT, my overall sex drive isnt the same as it was before
surgery. There seems to be slow recovery as to erections and I realize it could take 12-18 months for 'complete' recovery. I miss terribly the spontanaity of natural desire and erections. The orgasms I have are okay BUT not the same as full penile ejaculations with semen and sperm ejection through the penis. Overall, I can say I am 'cancer-free' but wish I would have delayed my decision to have
surgery, unfortunately, I lost my job at the same time as diagnosis and could only afford 2 months of COBRA at $1550/month and had to decide within the 2 months to go ahead. I made the decision and now will just live with it. It's a tough decision and so many of us are forced to make the decision without the necessary time and information we need to make a truly informed decision.
