Thank you, sirperiod. I am 63 years old and I am going to be having the radical Prost. Hetic me in January. Your words were very encouraging. Please. Forgive the grammar. I'm doing talk to text. I just felt I had to respond.
Hi Russ, like many other people I am very grateful for your frank and full explanations. I'm 73 diagnosed with Gleason 4+3 (7) level cancer, after a PSA of 18 and observation that my prostate was 4 times as large as normal. (almost makes you proud!) I investigated every possible alternative to radical prostatectomy, such as radiation plus hormonal therapy and various focused therapies like HIFU (high intensity focus ultrasound. Unfortunately the expert advice was they weren't going to work for my particular set up. So I'm going to get the surgery and your video has helped me understand what to expect and how to plan for it.
Thank you for posting these!! I am 52 and 5 weeks post surgery. Your tips and attitude are spot on! This is a major surgery and a game changer!! If we did not have this surgery it would be game over so, play the cards we have and keep moving. Keep posting glad all is well Thank you!
Russ, thank you very much for your story, openness and willingness to help others cope with this disease. As a coincidence, I started watching your videos when I was first diagnosed. Everything happens for a reason and at the right time, per God's will and grace. Your testimony helped me prepare and gave me strength during recovery. I was 63-years old, diagnosed with stage 3a, Gleason score of 7, my surgery took longer than expected because the cancer was touching my bladder. I was able to watch all of your videos and your story is very similar to mine. It will be 3-years on April 21 and my PSA is .0012 and I am at 99% right now. I am so very grateful for you and your story that you shared with all of us. May God keep you blessed. You have inspired so many of us that were affected.
Thanks for posting these videos, I’am 68 and 11 weeks post and still dealing with leaking, especially when I stand up! It’s like a light comes on and my bladder lets go
I KNOW THAT YOU DID THIS FOLLOW UP YEARS AGO BUT I APPRECIATE YOU CANDINANCE AND HONESTY. I HAD MY SURGERY ONE AND ONE HALF MONTHS AGO. IT WAS ME AND MY WIFE'S DECISION TO HAVE THIS DONE AFTER TALKING TO MY UROLOGIST. HE SENT ME TO A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SURGEON FOR THE ROBOTIC SURGERY. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE SURGERY. I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE THE CATHETER REMOVED BUT MY WIFE WAS SO HELPFUL. I DIDN'T LIKE BEING WET OR FEELING THE SQUIRTS. I ALSO HATED POST OPERATIVE PATIENTS GIVING THEIR TESTIMONIALS AS IF THEIR PROSTATECTOMY URINARY DRIBBLE WAS A PIECE OF CAKE. IT DROVE ME CRAZY. HOWEVER YOUR TESTIMONY WAS HONEST AND TOO THE POINT. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Just had the prostatectomy, same age as you, thank you so much for these videos. I felt help less when the catheter was removed because it I had no control it just free flowed. Been doing the Kegels for 1.5 weeks and have noticed a difference already. Again think you for the time you took for put these videos together. My plans are to go to churches and tell men what it means to have a prostatectomy and refer them to your RUclips videos as well as Michelle Kenway's video on how to do Kegels. Thank you my friend your a Blessing.
My husband is 2 weeks post robotic prostatectomy. I found your videos to show him and he was grateful for all the information and insight. Thank you for posting your personal progress and for all the valuable information!
I'm only 50 with a 4+3 and extracapsular extension and told that I would lose one of my nerves. Not feeling real good about things. I like your attitude.
Appreciate that your attitude is so positive! Yes, a radical prostatectomy IS Major Surgery.....so be patient with yourself. About 12 years ago I lost a friend to Prostate cancer. He had an open procedure, which was pretty rough. His recovery was good, but I think it was caught too late. (I dont know the details about his diagnosis). The fact that you're thriving and doing well afterwards, and discussing any concerns and questions with your wife and doctor is key. Many blessings, and thank you for these videos!
Your doing great! For me, I thank GOD everyday for another day to enjoy when I wake up. When I walk my dog, I listen to the 'music' of nature all around me and love every minute. So, yes, I hope to be able to do that after I get my surgery done. At 68, I don't expect a lot, but just to enjoy what time I have left with my children and friends. Thanks again for keeping us up to date. You are a very brave man for sharing the intimate details of some post-op problems that some would find very hard to do. God bless you my friend.
Your perspective is right on target. Thanks for the update and glad you are doing well. I’m at seven weeks post surgery and am doing great. I’m just happy to wake up in the morning (considering the alternative:). It’s also a great relief to be able to work out again and work up a sweat. I trained so hard in preparation for the surgery (which helped immensely) I really missed it during the initial recovery. Take care and thanks again
Hi my husband is having surgery in a couple of days and I'm finding your videos reassuring. Thank you for your honesty. Did you have nerve sparing surgery? My husband will have nerve damage on one side where the tumour is outside the prostate. But at a Gleason of 8 I just want him around for many more years.
Thanks Russ. I’m 65 Gleason score 4+3 PSA 5.5 and deciding surgery or radiation and I’m 99% thinking surgery now. Like you I can live with a little leakage. Thanks again.
Thanks sir, I'm five weeks going after sergry and I'm going through 5 undergarmets a day, I hope and pray it will get better for me I'm only 53 years of age, didn't plan on this in my life but I'm holding my head up and going on with it but it's gotten a little better I'm down to about 4 undergarmets a day, thanks for the good advise and I hope you will continue to improve yourself.
It's good to have a fair bit of information going in so no surprises during rehab. Just be patient, healing takes time....and you will heal. I pray for complete healing for you, God Bless !
I'm 12days post, all is going good. Thanks for your bids they helped me alot. Especially I did light food soup after the op. Thanks for the advice.....
I am 7 weeks post surgery and am doing just fine. Back to working out and like you I have had the 1-2 oops incontinence events a day. I fully expect this to get better. Have my first PSA test next week with follow up with doc. Expect a 0 score, have to stay positive you know. Will discuss sexual function issues next week as well. Thank you so much for your reporting, I have watched all of your videos prior to my surgery and I can’t tell you how much you helped get me through this.
I watched all of your videos about 18 months ago while deciding what to do after a 3+4 diagnosis March of 21. They had a very good surgeon and wanted to move forward. I opted for more research, and put myself on Active Surveillance. After researching EVERY thing and getting on the Inspire forum to hear what other folks were doing, and getting 2 multi parametric MRIs, talking to doctors from coast to coast (literally) and getting slightly worse but still 3+4 it was time to make a decision. The only surgeon that I would have gone with doesn't take insurance. My local radiologist is very good at HD Brachytherapy. I also considered all of the non standard of care procedures, laser, etc. A procedure that is starting to gain traction is MRI Linac ( with SpaceOAR) I researched, there are only about 12 places in the USA with the machine that can do this. UCLA, Weil Cornell (NY) and Brigham Women's Hospital are probably the top three. I used a different place closest to me in Atlanta, which will actually have a brand new facility opening with one of these machines in 2023 but I couldn't wait. It's been 3 months since the radiation treatment and going for my first PSA test next week. It will just be the start of the watching the PSA every 3 months for the first year to see where it goes. Last one before radiation was 7.6, it doubled in 3 years. So the space OAR install is a tiny bit painful but that's the only part that is somewhat invasive but it only lasts 7 minutes. Mine went very well. The first 3 weeks after the 5 radiation treatments were painful with abdominal contractions while urinating the third week as expected but they quickly got better. No incontinence, but painful urination part or all of which could have been avoided had the facility been more cognizant during the treatment process. I had urgency before treatment and after, but at the 2 month mark it was nearly gone and now seems completely gone. I don't get up at night at all. No sexual side effects, the radiation works slowly anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, so at 3 months everything still normal. There was pain on ejaculation maybe twice, then just normal. I do have a higher than normal sex drive and about to turn 70 next week. Eventually the prostate will die so no more fluid during ejaculation and orgasms will be dry. All that's left is to monitor the psa scores and see where they go. It is normal for them to go in any direction in the beginning before starting to trend downward if the radiation was successful. Still do my Kegels everyday and stay very active with workout programs. Diagnosed with sleep apnea so now on cpap machine and sleeping much better but probably will go for the Inspire install in 6 to 9 months to get off the need to use the (dang) machine every night. Good luck to all, everybody's case is unique so never one size fits all with prostate cancer.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a great result for you. The best advice I can ever give is to do your research before making your decision, and you certainly did. All the best to you!
Keep doing your Keigels. It will help your incontinence and your sexual disfunction but it will take time to heal. Do not forget to use your pump also.
Thanks for the updates. Mine is coming up in December and I'm not looking forward to it. My prognosis is probably no more sex life because of the amount of tissue they have to remove so that will be a big adjustment. 🙁. No one expects to be thrown a curveball like this in life, it's usually someone else. But as the saying goes, it is what it is.
Thanks for posting these, Russ - I'm about eight weeks post surgery (robot-assisted) - just now surfing the web to find out more about what the procedure was all about. For the record I'm 67 yrs old, self employed carpenter - healing up seems to have gone according to plan. Will keep checking in - I appreciate what you are doing with these videos.
I really thank you for all the personal experience... So very informative.... I went to my urologist today and my scans are getting scheduled. We consult on the 21st of Feb and then schedule surgery soon after if there are no problems.
Thanks so much for your videos! We are very similar in our experiences with prostate cancer, surgery and recovery. I just had my 6 month followup psa, which was also
Good morning sir. Since you helped me get through this procedure and subsequent side effects...I thought I'd fill you in on my progress. Exactly 3 months post surgery I finally switched back to "titey whities" (first at night-with a thin pad, next during the day). It's a blessing to get rid of the Depends...but I might invest in that company! Thanks as always.
At 75 I'm 1.5 years after prostatectomy, incontinence was never a major issue but sexual function was and is a problem even with Cialis. Have figured out how to make some progress but only 80% of the way there, hoping for closer to 100%
Thank you for your positive outlook. I am about to go for the same procedure as you. Thanks for informing us on what to expect post op. It seems to be pretty painful after surgery, enough to not go to the toilet or have a shower! Not looking forward to this!
@joeblo9510 i have just went through robotic surgery 21 days ago. Post surgery pain was not a very big deal but turning in the bed or sleeping on your side still hurt. A bigger deal to me has be the urine leaking going on 4 diapers a day. Sexual functions or erections at this moment are not possible. My doctor had prescribed a 3 months supply of cialis and recommended to try to manually stimulate yourself time to time to keep blood flowing. Let me know if you ever need to talk.
I just watched all your videos. Thank you so much for your insights I am 71 years old and very active, although not a runner. I am being scheduled for robotic surgery, hopefully in the beginning of March, Gleason score of 7 and PSA of 4.5. By the way, I use sildenafil 20 mg. about 45 minutes before sexual activity and not on a daily basis, My doctor says that after surgery, I will be on Cialis for a year or so to promote healing in that area and quicker return of sexual function. He says 97% of their patients are continent 6-12 weeks after surgery. I appreciate your positive attitude about the life changes that are perhaps inconvenient but not dysfunctional. Thanks again for your videos.God Bless you for your efforts to help other men.
yergonzo Having the support of your spouse is an important part of your rehab. Love to hear the words happily married! My wife was my cheerleader when I was down. Hope and pray for a great recovery for you!
Thanks for all your videos! I’m 48 and recently diagnosed, now I’m still deciding whether to have surgery or radiation. Really can’t decide considering the side effects. After finding you and learning about your journey, leaning towards surgery.I’m really hoping and praying that I’ll make the right decision.
Just keep doing your research, for me it was easy because I simply wanted it out! My result is fairly typical for this surgery. I pray you feel a peace about your decision. Blessings!
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF BOTH. EACH HAVING ITS OWN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT YOU TRUST, TALK WITH THEM, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ALSO THE DOCTORS EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A LIFE LONG COMMITMENT. THIS IS YOUR HEALTH. BUT DON'T WAIT TO LONG. HAVE SOMEONE NEAR TO HELP AND POST OPERATIVE PROCEDURE. DON'T BE A SUPERMAN. CHOOSE WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOU. WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, IT WAS YOUR DECISION CONSIDERING FAMILY, ACTIVITY, WORK, ETC. I AM RETIRED AND HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS NEAR AND WILLING TO HELP ME. I HAD THE SURGERY. THE ONLY CONCERN FOR ME WAS THE PROSTATECTOMY URINARY DRIBBLE AFTER THE PROSTATE WAS REMOVED. IT WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER ONE MONTH AGO. I USE DEPENDS REAL FIT AND GUARDS. THEY WORK GREAT FOR ME AND VERY COMFORTABLE. I KNOW I HAVE A WHILE TO GO. BUT I AM UNCOMFORTABLE BEING WET. I KEEP MYSELF DRY AND CLEAN. PEACE
Hello there again! Just want to say thank you again for your story and all the tips, guidance and support. I’m now 3 weeks post-op and doing better everyday. I’ve watched tons of videos and found yours as the most sincere, honest, and most enlightening! I’m using all the incontinence products you suggested and luckily, at this point I’m using just the shields☺️. Thank you so much and hope this message finds you well!
Kraig I am 16days post surgery and all he is saying is spot on as i am living it. Especially the fact that this is MAJOR surgery. I am very fortunate to have only minor incontinence. You should also line up a couple guys to opening talk to about all of it. DON'T go it alone
I had enlarged prostate a few years ago so my Urologist performed a TURP procedure ( Transurethral Resection of Prostate) . This basically hollows out the prostate to help you pee. But as I found out recently it also creates scar tissue on the outside of prostate. So when having a radical prostatectomy the surgeon is not able to save as many erection nerves. So one week after removing my catheter I have almost constant leakage when standing up, but none while sitting or laying down. I read it seems like DRUMMERUSS stopped leaking a lot about the 4 week mark. Hope I have the same luck. People with previous TURP procedures can consider radiation therapy instead of RP. But radiation kills the erection nerves also but it takes about year or two before the tissue all dies.
Thank you for your videos. So helpful. I’m 66 and my PSA went from 4.2 to 5.2 in 8mo but now it jumped from 5.2 to 7.0 in 30days. I’m scheduled for first biopsy in one month. Thinking maybe I need to move that up to sooner. I don’t have a Gleason score yet. Any advise?
Again. Thanks for the info. I’m 10 weeks out from surgery. Severe perineal pain and can’t st for more than 20 minutes. Did you have any pain like this or have you heard of anyone having this type of pain. Going back to the pain clinic in a couple of days. I’m 58 and was in good shape. Thanks
I appreciate your being open on how your experience has gone. I do have one question about early before you had surgery. What were your PSA numbers and did you have a biopsy and what were your number their.
Are you a drummer? I am working drummer and having the surgery in about a month and a half. If you happen to play drums I’m wondering if you might tell me if there’s anything about drumming that is impacted by having had this surgery. Thank you very much for your videos.
Funny you should ask, it was very difficult to sit on the throne for a long period of time. I play in a Christian worship band and sitting for a 30 minute set was not doable. I took six weeks off, then I was fine. I pray your surgery goes well and keep on rockin!
Did you perform kegels to help with the incontinennce? How often? i am 65, 2 weeks post robotic and totally incontinent and kegeling away.. staying positive. thanks so much for sharing.
I did kegels 6 weeks before surgery and up to about one year after. 4x per day, hold for 10 seconds, relax, and do that 10x . Took almost three years for me to be 99% continent.
mrrutstrut Never used an app. Just learned how to perform them correctly and set a reminder on my phone. I used the reminder for two years, just kept moving it to the next time slot when the reminder came up.
I'm 21 days post surgery today, Staying in bed, watching TV, reading, napping! Now if I could only get to my bathroom with I peeing all over myself!! oh yeah got the towel on the bed, couple of pairs of juniors to pop back and forth between and the new favorite toy! My pee cup always within arm's reach! How far are you past now?
Sorry to hear you’re having such a rough time, Im at three years now post prostatectomy And 100% continent and Sexual function without Viagra is very good. Hang in there, you will get better!
Curious as to what grade and Gleason scores you had. I have cancer in 7 of the 12 cores and 6 are Gleason 6(3+3) and one 7. Bless you for doing these videos. They are a great help.
Hartford hospital came up with 5 cores with cancer - score 1 - 7 and 4 - 6. I then had it sent out to Johns Hopkins Dr. Jonathan Epstein urologic pathology, he is noted in Patrick Walsh's book "Surviving Prostate Cancer", best book you can get if you don't have it already. He came up with better numbers , 3 - 7 and 2 - 6.
Actually it was an easy decision for me, I wanted the cancer out of me. I had concern about surgery being more difficult if radiation did not work. The day after surgery I felt cancer free. Easy choice for me but not for everyone.
I don’t believe Kegel exercises is a determining factor. It is certainly helpful to continue to do them after surgery. I stopped doing them once I started exercising. That was probably a couple of months after surgery.
@@drummeruss I was thinking whether incontinence might heal itself if I don’t do kegel at all, before or after surgery. I am not a fan of exercise, that’s why. Thanks for your response.
@@Wunderpus-photogenicus well they do say it’s beneficial and helps the healing process when you start at least six weeks before surgery and continue after surgery. They are not difficult to do and you only have to do 10 reps three times a day. all the best to you!
what about those who elected for RADIATION TREATMENTS. Please post your results here: Start by saying what type , for example Brachytherapy (HDR or long-term seed implants and / or EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy) , etc.. or any combos. Tell us about sexual function only because RADIATION does not affect or have any degrading effects on incontinences nor does it cause it.
Sir , may I ask please tell me if you lose your erection after surgery . I undergone prostate removal it's two months now and no erection even a little bit !
@@paulfool8728 I walked a lot and drank a lot of water right after surgery.The dr said it reduced swelling and scar tissue. Within the second month I tugged on it in the shower and noticed it was working so yes it works,not like when I was twenty,but yes it works. One thing my Dr said was that he wouldn’t do the procedure if I didn’t do two months of Keagle therapy.
@drummeruss so I guess I wanted to know if you can control your flow when peeing. My prostate is 4 times the normal size. 28 biopsy samples, and one had cancer. 3-4 Gleason. Waiting for results of bone scan I got this morning. I'm a T1. Already made the decision on the radical Prostatectomy with robot assist. I don't trust radiation, nor do I want to have to ever get a biopsy again. I was knocked out for the MRI biopsy procedure, but the next week or so, I couldn't pee at all. I cath before I go to bed now just to empty my bladder, which usually results in 450 ml +. I'm honestly not scared because I have Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I'm 62 and have had pee problems for ten years. I was on Finasteride for 2 years. Not anymore. What's the point?. Since I got off that garbage, I wake up every morning with a stiffy🤷 Thank you for sharing your story. My surgery should be in mid August. God Bless you.
@@jimmyReesby yes I can control my flow, I have no problems with that. As a matter of fact after the surgery, the flow was better than it ever had been. Hope pray all goes well for you. Good to know you are a believer! Blessings.
Thank you, sirperiod. I am 63 years old and I am going to be having the radical Prost. Hetic me in January. Your words were very encouraging. Please.
Forgive the grammar. I'm doing talk to text. I just felt I had to respond.
You may think you do not have many subscribers, or views, but do not underestimate the impact you have on people, which is tremendous!!
Hi Russ, like many other people I am very grateful for your frank and full explanations. I'm 73 diagnosed with Gleason 4+3 (7) level cancer, after a PSA of 18 and observation that my prostate was 4 times as large as normal. (almost makes you proud!) I investigated every possible alternative to radical prostatectomy, such as radiation plus hormonal therapy and various focused therapies like HIFU (high intensity focus ultrasound. Unfortunately the expert advice was they weren't going to work for my particular set up. So I'm going to get the surgery and your video has helped me understand what to expect and how to plan for it.
Thank you for posting these!! I am 52 and 5 weeks post surgery.
Your tips and attitude are spot on! This is a major surgery and a game changer!! If we did not have this surgery it would be game over so, play the cards we have and keep moving.
Keep posting glad all is well
Thank you!
Sounds like you have the right attitude too! All the best to you!
Russ, thank you very much for your story, openness and willingness to help others cope with this disease. As a coincidence, I started watching your videos when I was first diagnosed. Everything happens for a reason and at the right time, per God's will and grace. Your testimony helped me prepare and gave me strength during recovery. I was 63-years old, diagnosed with stage 3a, Gleason score of 7, my surgery took longer than expected because the cancer was touching my bladder. I was able to watch all of your videos and your story is very similar to mine. It will be 3-years on April 21 and my PSA is .0012 and I am at 99% right now. I am so very grateful for you and your story that you shared with all of us. May God keep you blessed. You have inspired so many of us that were affected.
Thank you for the kind words, glad to hear that you are doing well. Blessings!
4 weeks since surgery and I feel great. Your videos have been a great help both before and after I had the surgery. Thank you Brother and God Bless!!
Thanks for posting these videos, I’am 68 and 11 weeks post and still dealing with leaking, especially when I stand up! It’s like a light comes on and my bladder lets go
I KNOW THAT YOU DID THIS FOLLOW UP YEARS AGO BUT I APPRECIATE YOU CANDINANCE AND HONESTY. I HAD MY SURGERY ONE AND ONE HALF MONTHS AGO. IT WAS ME AND MY WIFE'S DECISION TO HAVE THIS DONE AFTER TALKING TO MY UROLOGIST. HE SENT ME TO A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SURGEON FOR THE ROBOTIC SURGERY. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE SURGERY. I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE THE CATHETER REMOVED BUT MY WIFE WAS SO HELPFUL. I DIDN'T LIKE BEING WET OR FEELING THE SQUIRTS. I ALSO HATED POST OPERATIVE PATIENTS GIVING THEIR TESTIMONIALS AS IF THEIR PROSTATECTOMY URINARY DRIBBLE WAS A PIECE OF CAKE. IT DROVE ME CRAZY. HOWEVER YOUR TESTIMONY WAS HONEST AND TOO THE POINT. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Had my removed oct. 2 23. Thank you friend for this educational video. Amen 🙏.
Hope all is going well with your healing.
Just had the prostatectomy, same age as you, thank you so much for these videos. I felt help less when the catheter was removed because it I had no control it just free flowed. Been doing the Kegels for 1.5 weeks and have noticed a difference already. Again think you for the time you took for put these videos together. My plans are to go to churches and tell men what it means to have a prostatectomy and refer them to your RUclips videos as well as Michelle Kenway's video on how to do Kegels. Thank you my friend your a Blessing.
My husband is 2 weeks post robotic prostatectomy. I found your videos to show him and he was grateful for all the information and insight. Thank you for posting your personal progress and for all the valuable information!
Thanks, I am about to go for this surgery in a few weeks. I am 82, marathoner, now walk 30 miles per week. I am feeling good Thanks for the videos
How are you doing after the surgery? I'm 69 and a distance runner about to get the operation
Your videos have been immensely helpful. 3 months post RP. Thanks!
Thanks for your videos. I’m 10 days out of surgery and hearing your story has been very comforting and helpful
I’m one week away from my robotic surgery. Thank you for the honest updates. You have put me at ease.
Praying for a full recovery, blessings!!
thank you for these videos.......the fear of the unknown is overwhelming
I'm only 50 with a 4+3 and extracapsular extension and told that I would lose one of my nerves. Not feeling real good about things. I like your attitude.
Appreciate that your attitude is so positive!
Yes, a radical prostatectomy IS Major Surgery.....so be patient with yourself.
About 12 years ago I lost a friend to Prostate cancer. He had an open procedure, which was pretty rough. His recovery was good, but I think it was caught too late. (I dont know the details about his diagnosis).
The fact that you're thriving and doing well afterwards, and discussing any concerns and questions with your wife and doctor is key.
Many blessings, and thank you for these videos!
Thanks for sharing. I gage my progress on your video. So far, everything is going well.
Thanks for all th information. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks from Sergey. You video have made me fill better. I keep watching them..I'm 57 years old
All the best to you, be patient, healing takes time. Blessings!
Your doing great! For me, I thank GOD everyday for another day to enjoy when I wake up. When I walk my dog, I listen to the 'music' of nature all around me and love every minute. So, yes, I hope to be able to do that after I get my surgery done. At 68, I don't expect a lot, but just to enjoy what time I have left with my children and friends. Thanks again for keeping us up to date. You are a very brave man for sharing the intimate details of some post-op problems that some would find very hard to do. God bless you my friend.
I'm 30 days post-op surgery & I'm feeling better 😅 taking it one day at a time ⏲️ 😊 Thanks for your videos 📹.
Awesome sir,, Im 52 and I’m thinking of getting surgery also. Just scared but I need to do it ... your video helpful
Your perspective is right on target. Thanks for the update and glad you are doing well. I’m at seven weeks post surgery and am doing great. I’m just happy to wake up in the morning (considering the alternative:). It’s also a great relief to be able to work out again and work up a sweat. I trained so hard in preparation for the surgery (which helped immensely) I really missed it during the initial recovery. Take care and thanks again
Hi my husband is having surgery in a couple of days and I'm finding your videos reassuring. Thank you for your honesty. Did you have nerve sparing surgery? My husband will have nerve damage on one side where the tumour is outside the prostate. But at a Gleason of 8 I just want him around for many more years.
@@MsGewb they had any uninary incontinence problem ?
I'm due to have surgery in a little over two weeks - and this is very helpful. Thank you!
All the best to you, healing takes time, be patient. Blessings!
Thanks Russ. I’m 65 Gleason score 4+3 PSA 5.5 and deciding surgery or radiation and I’m 99% thinking surgery now. Like you I can live with a little leakage. Thanks again.
All the best to you! Do all your research and make an informed decision. I’m six years post surgery and life is good. Blessings.
Thanks sir, I'm five weeks going after sergry and I'm going through 5 undergarmets a day, I hope and pray it will get better for me I'm only 53 years of age, didn't plan on this in my life but I'm holding my head up and going on with it but it's gotten a little better I'm down to about 4 undergarmets a day, thanks for the good advise and I hope you will continue to improve yourself.
You will improve, just give it some time. Hope and pray for a full recovery for you.
Your information is very helpful, I am getting ready for the surgery in about 3 weeks. Thank you so much, Blessings
It's good to have a fair bit of information going in so no surprises during rehab. Just be patient, healing takes time....and you will heal. I pray for complete healing for you, God Bless !
I'm 12days post, all is going good. Thanks for your bids they helped me alot. Especially I did light food soup after the op. Thanks for the advice.....
Thank you for your honesty....it will give men a lot of encouragement...
Thanks for all the updates. Very helpful going in..
I am 7 weeks post surgery and am doing just fine. Back to working out and like you I have had the 1-2 oops incontinence events a day. I fully expect this to get better. Have my first PSA test next week with follow up with doc. Expect a 0 score, have to stay positive you know. Will discuss sexual function issues next week as well. Thank you so much for your reporting, I have watched all of your videos prior to my surgery and I can’t tell you how much you helped get me through this.
Thanks for these great videos. Very informative for those of us about to go for our surgery and who are a wee bit nervous of what to expect.
I watched all of your videos about 18 months ago while deciding what to do after a 3+4 diagnosis March of 21. They had a very good surgeon and wanted to move forward. I opted for more research, and put myself on Active Surveillance. After researching EVERY thing and getting on the Inspire forum to hear what other folks were doing, and getting 2 multi parametric MRIs, talking to doctors from coast to coast (literally) and getting slightly worse but still 3+4 it was time to make a decision. The only surgeon that I would have gone with doesn't take insurance. My local radiologist is very good at HD Brachytherapy. I also considered all of the non standard of care procedures, laser, etc. A procedure that is starting to gain traction is MRI Linac ( with SpaceOAR) I researched, there are only about 12 places in the USA with the machine that can do this. UCLA, Weil Cornell (NY) and Brigham Women's Hospital are probably the top three. I used a different place closest to me in Atlanta, which will actually have a brand new facility opening with one of these machines in 2023 but I couldn't wait. It's been 3 months since the radiation treatment and going for my first PSA test next week. It will just be the start of the watching the PSA every 3 months for the first year to see where it goes. Last one before radiation was 7.6, it doubled in 3 years. So the space OAR install is a tiny bit painful but that's the only part that is somewhat invasive but it only lasts 7 minutes. Mine went very well. The first 3 weeks after the 5 radiation treatments were painful with abdominal contractions while urinating the third week as expected but they quickly got better. No incontinence, but painful urination part or all of which could have been avoided had the facility been more cognizant during the treatment process. I had urgency before treatment and after, but at the 2 month mark it was nearly gone and now seems completely gone. I don't get up at night at all. No sexual side effects, the radiation works slowly anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, so at 3 months everything still normal. There was pain on ejaculation maybe twice, then just normal. I do have a higher than normal sex drive and about to turn 70 next week. Eventually the prostate will die so no more fluid during ejaculation and orgasms will be dry. All that's left is to monitor the psa scores and see where they go. It is normal for them to go in any direction in the beginning before starting to trend downward if the radiation was successful. Still do my Kegels everyday and stay very active with workout programs. Diagnosed with sleep apnea so now on cpap machine and sleeping much better but probably will go for the Inspire install in 6 to 9 months to get off the need to use the (dang) machine every night. Good luck to all, everybody's case is unique so never one size fits all with prostate cancer.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a great result for you. The best advice I can ever give is to do your research before making your decision, and you certainly did. All the best to you!
Keep doing your Keigels. It will help your incontinence and your sexual disfunction but it will take time to heal. Do not forget to use your pump also.
Thanks for the updates. Mine is coming up in December and I'm not looking forward to it. My prognosis is probably no more sex life because of the amount of tissue they have to remove so that will be a big adjustment. 🙁. No one expects to be thrown a curveball like this in life, it's usually someone else. But as the saying goes, it is what it is.
Thanks for your insights and sharing your experiences.
Thanks for posting these, Russ - I'm about eight weeks post surgery (robot-assisted) - just now surfing the web to find out more about what the procedure was all about. For the record I'm 67 yrs old, self employed carpenter - healing up seems to have gone according to plan. Will keep checking in - I appreciate what you are doing with these videos.
Sounds like a very good result for you, Blessings!
I really thank you for all the personal experience... So very informative.... I went to my urologist today and my scans are getting scheduled. We consult on the 21st of Feb and then schedule surgery soon after if there are no problems.
All the best to you, be positive, this cancer can be beaten! God Bless!
Thanks this ,your information was so helpful for my uncle 😊
Thanks so much for your videos! We are very similar in our experiences with prostate cancer, surgery and recovery. I just had my 6 month followup psa, which was also
Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery, all the best to you!
Good morning sir. Since you helped me get through this procedure and subsequent side effects...I thought I'd fill you in on my progress. Exactly 3 months post surgery I finally switched back to "titey whities" (first at night-with a thin pad, next during the day). It's a blessing to get rid of the Depends...but I might invest in that company! Thanks as always.
So good to hear your are healing well. Blessings!
At 75 I'm 1.5 years after prostatectomy, incontinence was never a major issue but sexual function was and is a problem even with Cialis. Have figured out how to make some progress but only 80% of the way there, hoping for closer to 100%
Good man, thanks for the encouragement.
Best wishes from the UK.
Thank you for your positive outlook. I am about to go for the same procedure as you. Thanks for informing us on what to expect post op. It seems to be pretty painful after surgery, enough to not go to the toilet or have a shower! Not looking forward to this!
@joeblo9510 i have just went through robotic surgery 21 days ago. Post surgery pain was not a very big deal but turning in the bed or sleeping on your side still hurt. A bigger deal to me has be the urine leaking going on 4 diapers a day. Sexual functions or erections at this moment are not possible. My doctor had prescribed a 3 months supply of cialis and recommended to try to manually stimulate yourself time to time to keep blood flowing.
Let me know if you ever need to talk.
I just watched all your videos. Thank you so much for your insights I am 71 years old and very active, although not a runner. I am being scheduled for robotic surgery, hopefully in the beginning of March, Gleason score of 7 and PSA of 4.5. By the way, I use sildenafil 20 mg. about 45 minutes before sexual activity and not on a daily basis, My doctor says that after surgery, I will be on Cialis for a year or so to promote healing in that area and quicker return of sexual function. He says 97% of their patients are continent 6-12 weeks after surgery. I appreciate your positive attitude about the life changes that are perhaps inconvenient but not dysfunctional. Thanks again for your videos.God Bless you for your efforts to help other men.
you will do just fine, please report
Praise god,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, youre refreshing,,,,,,,,,,,,,, thank you!
Thank you for all your information and thoughtfulness!
Well done I am 8 years post op and still using 2 pads a day and have total ED. No pills or pumps work sadly.
Thanks.......day 5 of Post-prostatectomy awaiting catheter removal. As a lifetime weightlifter
and happily married man not afraid to admit anxiety.
yergonzo Having the support of your spouse is an important part of your rehab. Love to hear the words happily married! My wife was my cheerleader when I was down. Hope and pray for a great recovery for you!
Thanks for all your videos! I’m 48 and recently diagnosed, now I’m still deciding whether to have surgery or radiation. Really can’t decide considering the side effects. After finding you and learning about your journey, leaning towards surgery.I’m really hoping and praying that I’ll make the right decision.
Just keep doing your research, for me it was easy because I simply wanted it out! My result is fairly typical for this surgery. I pray you feel a peace about your decision. Blessings!
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF BOTH. EACH HAVING ITS OWN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT YOU TRUST, TALK WITH THEM, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ALSO THE DOCTORS EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A LIFE LONG COMMITMENT. THIS IS YOUR HEALTH. BUT DON'T WAIT TO LONG. HAVE SOMEONE NEAR TO HELP AND POST OPERATIVE PROCEDURE. DON'T BE A SUPERMAN. CHOOSE WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOU. WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, IT WAS YOUR DECISION CONSIDERING FAMILY, ACTIVITY, WORK, ETC. I AM RETIRED AND HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS NEAR AND WILLING TO HELP ME. I HAD THE SURGERY. THE ONLY CONCERN FOR ME WAS THE PROSTATECTOMY URINARY DRIBBLE AFTER THE PROSTATE WAS REMOVED. IT WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER ONE MONTH AGO. I USE DEPENDS REAL FIT AND GUARDS. THEY WORK GREAT FOR ME AND VERY COMFORTABLE. I KNOW I HAVE A WHILE TO GO. BUT I AM UNCOMFORTABLE BEING WET. I KEEP MYSELF DRY AND CLEAN. PEACE
Hello there again! Just want to say thank you again for your story and all the tips, guidance and support. I’m now 3 weeks post-op and doing better everyday. I’ve watched tons of videos and found yours as the most sincere, honest, and most enlightening! I’m using all the incontinence products you suggested and luckily, at this point I’m using just the shields☺️. Thank you so much and hope this message finds you well!
Thanks for the update, and congrats on your continued healing! Your insight has been very helpful to me.
I have the same prolblem congratulations to us.
Thanks for your updates. I’m going in October to have my prostrate surgery. I had a very low Gleason score but I decided to have it removed.
Kraig DeVries All the best to you Kraig, praying for a great result!
Kraig I am 16days post surgery and all he is saying is spot on as i am living it. Especially the fact that this is MAJOR surgery. I am very fortunate to have only minor incontinence. You should also line up a couple guys to opening talk to about all of it. DON'T go it alone
Vernon Bryant thank you for your update. Keep me up to date as you go along if you don’t mind.
@@kraigdevries9639 can i email you directly? Vrbryant56@gmail.com
Vernon Bryant yes sir that would be great. kraigd88@gmail.com
Thanks again and all the best.
I had enlarged prostate a few years ago so my Urologist performed a TURP procedure ( Transurethral Resection of Prostate) . This basically hollows out the prostate to help you pee. But as I found out recently it also creates scar tissue on the outside of prostate. So when having a radical prostatectomy the surgeon is not able to save as many erection nerves. So one week after removing my catheter I have almost constant leakage when standing up, but none while sitting or laying down. I read it seems like DRUMMERUSS stopped leaking a lot about the 4 week mark. Hope I have the same luck.
People with previous TURP procedures can consider radiation therapy instead of RP. But radiation kills the erection nerves also but it takes about year or two before the tissue all dies.
Thank you for your videos. So helpful. I’m 66 and my PSA went from 4.2 to 5.2 in 8mo but now it jumped from 5.2 to 7.0 in 30days. I’m scheduled for first biopsy in one month. Thinking maybe I need to move that up to sooner. I don’t have a Gleason score yet. Any advise?
Have you tried TriMix? It works Great!
Well said Bro.
Did you have the hormone shot before surgery?
Again. Thanks for the info. I’m 10 weeks out from surgery. Severe perineal pain and can’t st for more than 20 minutes. Did you have any pain like this or have you heard of anyone having this type of pain. Going back to the pain clinic in a couple of days.
I’m 58 and was in good shape.
Thanks
I did have that same pain, but Not to the level you describe. Mine was gone within two or three weeks.
Thanks for positive info !
9 Month Update? Due my Surgery next week. Need Inspiration. Hope all is well.
please let us know
I appreciate your being open on how your experience has gone. I do have one question about early before you had surgery. What were your PSA numbers and did you have a biopsy and what were your number their.
I was at 4.4 when I had the biopsy. That was a jump from 2.2 over several years. I ended up with a Gleason score of 7. All the best to you!
Are you a drummer? I am working drummer and having the surgery in about a month and a half. If you happen to play drums I’m wondering if you might tell me if there’s anything about drumming that is impacted by having had this surgery. Thank you very much for your videos.
Funny you should ask, it was very difficult to sit on the throne for a long period of time. I play in a Christian worship band and sitting for a 30 minute set was not doable. I took six weeks off, then I was fine. I pray your surgery goes well and keep on rockin!
Those who've had the robotic work would be useful to those of us who've had 20+ years work which had more opportunities for more difficulties to occur
Thanks
Did you perform kegels to help with the incontinennce? How often? i am 65, 2 weeks post robotic and totally incontinent and kegeling away.. staying positive. thanks so much for sharing.
I did kegels 6 weeks before surgery and up to about one year after. 4x per day, hold for 10 seconds, relax, and do that 10x . Took almost three years for me to be 99% continent.
Hello How can I talk to you about this surgery and recovery
Sure, look me up on facebook - Russell Maida - and send me a message with your phone #.
can you tell us what app you use for Kegel exercises please?
mrrutstrut Never used an app. Just learned how to perform them correctly and set a reminder on my phone. I used the reminder for two years, just kept moving it to the next time slot when the reminder came up.
@@drummeruss Ok thank you, your videos have been very helpful.
I'm 21 days post surgery today, Staying in bed, watching TV, reading, napping! Now if I could only get to my bathroom with I peeing all over myself!! oh yeah got the towel on the bed, couple of pairs of juniors to pop back and forth between and the new favorite toy! My pee cup always within arm's reach!
How far are you past now?
Sorry to hear you’re having such a rough time, Im at three years now post prostatectomy And 100% continent and Sexual function without Viagra is very good. Hang in there, you will get better!
I am trying to decide on surgery or radiation plus I need that same shoulder surgery
Keep doing your research, learn as much as you can so that you can make an informed decision. All the best to you blessings!
Curious as to what grade and Gleason scores you had. I have cancer in 7 of the 12 cores and 6 are Gleason 6(3+3) and one 7. Bless you for doing these videos. They are a great help.
Hartford hospital came up with 5 cores with cancer - score 1 - 7 and 4 - 6. I then had it sent out to Johns Hopkins Dr. Jonathan Epstein urologic pathology, he is noted in Patrick Walsh's book "Surviving Prostate Cancer", best book you can get if you don't have it already. He came up with better numbers , 3 - 7 and 2 - 6.
Can you say why you chose surgery over radiation?
Actually it was an easy decision for me, I wanted the cancer out of me. I had concern about surgery being more difficult if radiation did not work. The day after surgery I felt cancer free. Easy choice for me but not for everyone.
@@drummeruss thank you
Is Kegel exercise a must for the recovery on incontinence? In other words, if I do not do Kegel, then I'll have incontinence forever?
I don’t believe Kegel exercises is a determining factor. It is certainly helpful to continue to do them after surgery. I stopped doing them once I started exercising. That was probably a couple of months after surgery.
@@drummeruss I was thinking whether incontinence might heal itself if I don’t do kegel at all, before or after surgery. I am not a fan of exercise, that’s why.
Thanks for your response.
@@Wunderpus-photogenicus well they do say it’s beneficial and helps the healing process when you start at least six weeks before surgery and continue after surgery. They are not difficult to do and you only have to do 10 reps three times a day. all the best to you!
Ever since surgery which is 6 day having the same problem. Phlegm phlegm and more Phlegm. Any suggestions ?
I never had that problem, talk to your Doctor.
what about those who elected for RADIATION TREATMENTS. Please post your results here: Start by saying what type , for example Brachytherapy (HDR or long-term seed implants and / or EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy) , etc.. or any combos. Tell us about sexual function only because RADIATION does not affect or have any degrading effects on incontinences nor does it cause it.
YOURE RIGHT .....................IM GEN X
What was you psa before surgery and your Gleason score?
@@prashant8767 psa was 5.6, I was always at 2.4. Gleason score was 7.
@@drummeruss any recurrence after surgery yet
@@prashant8767 I am just over six years post surgery and cancer free
@@drummeruss good sir.... Best wishes for you 🙏
One month out and I’m feeling great,other than some dribble I’m thinking sex sooner than later. 😎 Thank you for sharing!!
Sir , may I ask please tell me if you lose your erection after surgery . I undergone prostate removal it's two months now and no erection even a little bit !
@@paulfool8728 I walked a lot and drank a lot of water right after surgery.The dr said it reduced swelling and scar tissue. Within the second month I tugged on it in the shower and noticed it was working so yes it works,not like when I was twenty,but yes it works. One thing my Dr said was that he wouldn’t do the procedure if I didn’t do two months of Keagle therapy.
My surgeon told me to take 5 Viagras so I did, got nothing out of it. I need to talk with him again.
How is your pee function?
I’m six years post surgery and 99% continent. I can get an occasional leak so I do wear the very thin depends, don’t even know I have it on.
@drummeruss so I guess I wanted to know if you can control your flow when peeing. My prostate is 4 times the normal size. 28 biopsy samples, and one had cancer. 3-4 Gleason. Waiting for results of bone scan I got this morning. I'm a T1. Already made the decision on the radical Prostatectomy with robot assist. I don't trust radiation, nor do I want to have to ever get a biopsy again. I was knocked out for the MRI biopsy procedure, but the next week or so, I couldn't pee at all. I cath before I go to bed now just to empty my bladder, which usually results in 450 ml +. I'm honestly not scared because I have Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I'm 62 and have had pee problems for ten years. I was on Finasteride for 2 years. Not anymore. What's the point?. Since I got off that garbage, I wake up every morning with a stiffy🤷
Thank you for sharing your story. My surgery should be in mid August. God Bless you.
@@jimmyReesby yes I can control my flow, I have no problems with that. As a matter of fact after the surgery, the flow was better than it ever had been. Hope pray all goes well for you. Good to know you are a believer! Blessings.