Surviving Cancer

I am 54 yrs old. I was having minor internal problems when I decided to be tested. I had already had 2 minor surgeries, so I figured I might as well get probed again. Otherwise like most men I would have put it off. I think the worst part is always the wait for test results. First you wait for the PSA results. Then you wait for the Biopsy results. Quick note..they tell you there will be some blood in your ejaculate after the tests. Well…I wanted to make sure I still worked and guess what..it is not some blood..it is mostly blood for several times..You should know that it is normal but if you do not know what to expect..trust me it is a shocker the first time you see that. Surgery is a breeze…I chose that because I wanted it out of my body asap!!. I am a fix it right away if possible kind of guy. The healing process was minor to me. The catheter was a pain for me. Even though you know it will be in there after you wake up..when you lift your gown the first time it is still a shock. Never had one before. Then I had it in for 30 days..every week had a test..wait another week..I think I was too active during that time. So first lesson…behave..no shoveling snow..or pushing snow 24 hrs at a time..Remember to use large bag for sleeping..as the small one will fill up quickly if you drink much fluids like you are supposed to. If you are very active like me the leg bag is great..but remember to be around someplace to drain it every hour. Reason being you are to be drinking alot of fluids to flush everything out. After the catheter came out it was frustrating. They tell you there will be leakage..but you will just have urine run out of you..I think the period of time with the catheter in had some effect on my control. Lesson..do those kegles many times before surgery..you will save many embarassing moments. I used little adhesive pads for myself which worked great.. Make sure you keep many with you at all times. Do those kegles..that is your escape from the pads. Then you wait for the PSA results again..All the frustration and all the anxiety will be forgotten when you get that first .01 or .00 from your test results. You have now become a cancer survivor and you will be a stronger person then you ever have been before. Your life will become much more special and little problems do not matter as much any more. You will smile at the littlest of things. I have been done with surgery since 1-18-2010. Sexual intercourse has not been tried yet. I have masturbated a few times to see if I can get an erection..The doctor gave me some Viagra and other pills..which I have not used yet..no erection as of yet. I have had some very good orgasms though. Just not the handful of myself I am used to. Fortunately my wife has been patient. Getting time where I am really wanting sex so I will try the pills soon. I think most is in my head anyway. I am just an ordinary guy, not a doctor, not a writer, just someone who wanted to tell you gentleman what I experienced. The biggest scares were things that no one but the actual patient could tell me were going to happen. I am doing great. If someone would have said the Cancer word will be out of your mind today nine months ago, I would have thought they were crazy. But I do not even think about it now. Good luck to all who are testing..good luck to all who are looking at surgery..good luck to all who are recovering..And my prayers are with all of you. One more quick note.. I new I would whip this from the moment I found out I had it. The mind is a marvelous tool. Believe you will survive..anything is possible. Gary