Baylor Foundation: EveryMan™

Prostate Cancer Survivor Jim Hobbs

Online Journal Week 3

I’ve had surgery before my prostate surgery. It was for a pinched nerve in my back early last year. The surgery was a success. So I knew about some things leading into the prostate procedure – the operating room, anesthesia concerns, etc. But the possible effects of surgery as a treatment for prostate cancer were very concerning.

Once I learned I had cancer, it really didn’t take me long to decide about surgery, and more importantly, what type of surgery. Traditional surgery and robotic surgery had the same outcomes, from what I learned. One procedure was not necessarily better than the other in terms of a cure, but the robotic surgery had a much quicker recovery time. That made all the difference. I wanted to be back on my feet and back to a normal life as quickly as possible.

But how normal would it be? I was told and I read about “plumbing” problems. I was told and I read about “intimacy” problems. Yikes! And the temporary catheter … didn’t have that for back surgery! Well, the catheter came out in eight days – what a relief! That day, that moment, was plenty of good reason that I made the right choice for me to have robotic surgery vs. traditional surgery.

So let me back up a bit and talk about some preparation. Prior to surgery, I was referred to someone who provided detailed information and exercises to train muscles for future plumbing issues. And I was given specific instructions for exercises for weeks before surgery so that I was prepared. I sat through the one-on-one session and then I ”worked out” like crazy! The notion of “having an accident” post-surgery was incomprehensible … I needed to exercise!

Following the catheter removal, I was not certain all of my efforts meant anything. I needed to take plenty of precautions. So I went shopping and purchased a variety of male protective pads … OK, diapers, I said it! All of you that know me and are reading this, are you happy now? To my pleasant surprise, it didn’t take long to figure out what to do, and how to take control.

But there was an after-effect that was very uncomfortable for quite a long time. About three weeks after surgery, I developed an unbelievable pain upon urination. The pain, from what I imagined, was similar to a kidney stone. I took some medication, but it didn’t seem to help. It was excruciating. On Saturday, December 6 at 10:23 a.m. (and I remember it VERY well!), something passed and I was clear for takeoff! What a relief! The water was going over the dam, so to speak. It felt as good as the catheter removal!

To close, I can’t quite find the nerve to write anything about my experience regarding post-surgery intimacy issues. My four daughters will read this. My in-laws will read this. And I have no intention of embarrassing my wife, Diane. So you will all need to find somewhere else to learn about this ...

So get screened. Encourage someone to get screened. And if you come to find out that you have prostate cancer, please learn all you can. You need to decide what’s best for you. Talk to as many knowledgeable people as you can. What was right for me may not be best suited for you.

Stop back next week.

Jim