Prostate Cancer at 53

By chefback

1 min read

I was diagnosed in June with Gleason score intermediate borderline high. I am having robotic surgery today to remove prostate. Dr is going to try to spare nerves, says operation will take four hours. Been a huge emotional drain and now more and more scared as time nears closer. I have heard comments "it's only prostate cancer, no big deal". I don't understand how people can say that. It is Cancer and extremely scary and life changing. Praying that all goes well this afternoon.

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Doug Sparling Member
<inline-mention user-id="3258596" username="chefback"/> - Let us know how everything goes, we’ll all be thinking of you. Yes, cancer is scary (and rightly so) regardless of the type or stage. Prostate cancer IS a big deal and no one should say it isn’t. Be well! - Doug, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team
chefback Member
I had my surgery on 8/14 finished around 9:30pm. Had my blood pressure drop, kidneys go out and an internal bleed. I was in ICU for two days, one day in hospital and was discharged Saturday. I am currently having minor issue with an incision. My emotions have become very scrambled with a lot of anxiety and confusion. I go for a follow up on Thursday. There was a whole lot more to the surgery and recovery than I anticipated. I had open colon surgery back in 2005, and this surgery was much worse than the colon surgery.
1. ninaw Community Admin
 This sounds like a really frightening situation, <inline-mention user-id="3258596" username="chefback"/> . I hope you don't remember much of the actual events. It is no wonder to me that you're dealing with anxiety and confusion, after such a traumatic surgery. We're wishing you better days ahead and luck with recovery. Please keep checking back when you can. - Nina, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team
deemusicman Member
God bless,,I'm 5 months post surgery ,doing good it takes time to heal,,,,Keep the faith ,,...
tnewman Member
Chefback, I have had many surgeries and found this to be my worst, but I had nothing compared to yours. I am glad you are doing better and hope you keep improving.
sevensix Member
Robotic surgery for me was an incredible experience. Hours after surgery I was ready to go home without pain meds, I felt terrific. Recovery was free of complaint. Bladder control takes effort and ED will challenge you but overall you'll do well. Keep us informed!
dele0527 Member
Atitude is 90% of the recovery, you will be fine, think positively. It is life changing, and everything you posted is true, but speaking from experience you will adjust to your new normal. I head a group called "Man to Man in northeastern Pa. we met once a month and the average attendence is 50-60 in attendence over 20 years we have only lost 2 members to the disease, and hundreds have passed through our group. Ages range from 40-90, and 99% of the group has lived long and well, find your self a support group in your area and get involved, education is the key. Good luck and prayers are with you.
ninaw Community Admin
<inline-mention user-id="3259686" username="dele0527"/> and <inline-mention user-id="3261136" username="sevensix"/> , your encouragement for <inline-mention user-id="3258596" username="chefback"/> is much appreciated. I might have shared this with you already, but our community page is a great place to go to find other conversations: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/community' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/community/</a>. It's great having your voices of experience here. - Nina, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team