My Journey- From Diagnosis to the present. A New Online Journal

Hello, again.

Since I was asked in a previous post to provide more details about my
experiences since being diagnosed, I created an online Journal
outlining the entire journey, from start to the present, giving as
much detail as I felt would be of use to other patients, especially
newly diagnosed patients, as possible. I have tried to speak frankly
and honestly, while pulling no punches.

I am hoping my experiences proves of value to others. I hope that you
can learn from my experiences, and not make some of my mistakes. Being
newly diagnosed means struggling to find answers, truth and peace of
mind. It's not an easy road. It's a road filled with stress, worry and
fear of the unknown. I managed to navigate it, and survive. Along the
way, many of the regulars here helped, along with many other friends,
patients, survivors, and Doctors.

Though I am only in Day 7 of my recovery from my Robotic Laproscopic
Radical Prostatectomy, and I still have quite a ways to go, I look
forward to continuing to share my experiences and reactions with you,
come what may, for whatever they may be worth.

I hope they help someone out there.

Take a look, and let me know what you think.

http://journals.aol.com/kennfightscancer/journal/

Best,
Kenn

Hi Kenn:

Well done journal Kenn.
I was also diagnosed at 53. I am 26 months post op and have a psa of
<.01. I too had robotic surgery. The op was done at the Cleveland Clinic
by Charles Lee Jackson at their Weston facility here in sunny South
Florida. (I'm originally from NY too and have been living down here
since 1994.) I was continent from day one after the catheter came out.
All in all, I was a bit sore after the operation but I healed very fast
probably due to the fact that I was in very good physical shape going
in. The pca news came out of nowhere during a routine psa test that was
"moderately elevated for my age". That is what triggered the chain of
events that led to my surgery.
It certainly appears that you are in excellent hands and will come out
of this experience in fine fashion.
I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery and please do keep up with
the journal. I'm sure that it will be of help and interest to all who
have to visit here. I am going to reread it more in detail as well.

B.A.

Hi, Bob.

Thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated.

Your story does sound similar to mine. Yes, I am still in the midst of
the daily aches and soreness.
I am happy to hear you were dry immediately upon removal of the
catheter. That is my big concern now, and next.

I really have been taking this one day at a time and regardless of
what comes, I'm going to continue to do just that.

I willl keep the journal up, and I really do hope it helps someone out
there.

Please let me know what you think of it, as you read it. The earlier
posts are archived.

Many thanks, and best regards,
Kenn.

Kenn,

I read your journal today, nice job! I wish I had kept a daily log, as time
passes it becomes hard to recall those daily trials and tribulations. Good
luck on the continence front of course you know by this time anything can
happen but most men are continent within a year. My own experience was 3
months then about 3 more months to totally feel comfortable in any
situation. I still leak a drop now and then in some unexpected
circumstance. I was riding my wife's scooter this afternoon and leaked a
drop after rounding a corner go figure! I had some erection stirrings while
the catheter was in and even after it was out, I got my wife involved and
kept things going (note I never leaked during "play time"). I did note that
as I healed it became more difficult to get the erections I was getting so
that I now believe that the early ones were linked with the healing process
but they also kept me working. I finally started using Viagra and was able
to have sex the first time, now I get just as good of an erection as I ever
had with the help of either Viagra or Cialis. I think I like Viagra better
than Cialis because it works quicker and the side effects don't last as
long, at this point in our relationship surprise is not a big element to our
having sex, planning a date for it can be just as much fun. By the way the
sex we have today is better than ever! I am 8 months out from RRP surgery
and I look forward to following your progress.

Best wishes,

Mike

"Kenn Errey" <kenerrey@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1171779282.941384.314050@v33g2000cwv.googlegr oups.com...
> Hello, again.
>
> Since I was asked in a previous post to provide more details about my
> experiences since being diagnosed, I created an online Journal
> outlining the entire journey, from start to the present, giving as
> much detail as I felt would be of use to other patients, especially
> newly diagnosed patients, as possible. I have tried to speak frankly
> and honestly, while pulling no punches.
>
> I am hoping my experiences proves of value to others. I hope that you
> can learn from my experiences, and not make some of my mistakes. Being
> newly diagnosed means struggling to find answers, truth and peace of
> mind. It's not an easy road. It's a road filled with stress, worry and
> fear of the unknown. I managed to navigate it, and survive. Along the
> way, many of the regulars here helped, along with many other friends,
> patients, survivors, and Doctors.
>
> Though I am only in Day 7 of my recovery from my Robotic Laproscopic
> Radical Prostatectomy, and I still have quite a ways to go, I look
> forward to continuing to share my experiences and reactions with you,
> come what may, for whatever they may be worth.
>
> I hope they help someone out there.
>
> Take a look, and let me know what you think.
>
> http://journals.aol.com/kennfightscancer/journal/
>
> Best,
> Kenn
>