I had non-nerve sparing surgery, so the erections are gone for ever. Emotionally, this has affected me; however, I take the view that not having erections is, ultimately, a small price to pay for being free (hopefully) of the cancer and living an otherwise normal life.
Immediately following the surgery, the pain I had was more to do with the stomach incisions rather than in the groin area. In fact, I did not have any groin pain other than the uncomfortableness of the temporary catheter. I also had significant swelling of the penis and testicles; however, this resolved after approximately 7 days. As I had a number of lymph glands removed from the prostate area, I did suffer from swelling at the top of the thighs; however, this has steadily reduced to two small areas at the top of my inner thighs and is not troublesome at all.
Now, some 16 months after my surgery, the biggest impacts have been the loss of erections and the bladder leakage. However, the only way to look at these is that, in my view, they are a small price to pay for being alive and living another wise normal life.
Yes
For me, having my prostate removed as opposed to having radiation therapy alone (and the risk of that not being successful (and meaning that a prostatectomy would not then be viable later)) was the only option to take. I knew before hand that the operation was to be non-nerve sparing and the consequences of this; however, this did not deter me. The urine leakage is not a big deal for me and wearing continence pads (which are completely invisible through my clothes) does not bother me in the slightest.
I attended 33 sessions of radiotherapy some 5 months after my prostatectomy as the cancer was found to have spread to one lymph node in the prostate bed. I suffered from extreme fatigue at the end of each day. The travelling to hospital Monday to Friday contributed to this; however, the radiotherapy caused the majority of it. My sessions were in the afternoons, so I made sure that I spent the mornings casually e.g. reading and short walks. In the evenings, I would relax and take a short nap if necessary. Within a few days of the treatment ending, the fatigue lifted.
The main impact was the travelling to and from the hospital in the afternoon. For me this was a 1.5 - 2 hours round trip and the treatment session itself lasted up to 45 minutes, including the necessary preparations. This sounds like a large commitment, but the time did genuinely pass very quickly and it is a small price to pay.
Yes
I am a great believer in following the advice of the medical experts who are treating me as they are acting in my best interests. With the diagnosis of a small amount of cancer remaining after my prostatectomy, I had no hesitation in attending the radiotherapy treatments.
I am receiving 2 years hormone therapy (in addition to the radiotherapy I had post surgery). My surgery was non-nerve sparing, so that had an immediate negative impact on my sex life. That said, the hormone therapy has had a major psychological and emotional impact on me. I have an injection every 3 months and, as with my other treatments, I see this as a temporary necessity to ensure that the cancer is eradicated. My wife and I talk about my feelings a lot and I couldn’t ask her to be any more supportive. Any such strong relationship with any person who can act as a confidant will prove invaluable.
The hormone therapy has increased my weight particularly in my stomach region. In addition, my hot flushes can be severe at times. I exercise approximately 4 days per week with cardio sessions at home and moderate resistance training. Whilst I have suffered muscle loss and continuing tiredness, I see my exercise regime as key in trying to control my weight increase. I also (try) to eat a healthy diet. My hot flushes tend to be in the evenings and at night in bed. I find taking quick action such as removing a layer of clothing or lying on top of the bed duvet quickly deals with the problem. Using a handheld fan is also a great help.
Being able to talk to a confidant, whomever that may be, is the best way, in my view, to rationalise what is happening and to understand that it is only the hormone therapy that is causing any emotional problems and that these are only going to be temporary. For me, going for walks and listening to music or podcasts is a great way to take my mind off any issues that are troubling me.
The hormone therapy has affected me both physically and mentally the most. I have gained weight and am very conscious of my increased stomach size particularly. I have definitely become more forgetful, more anxious and am prone to getting upset for very little reason.
Yes
Because I know that the hormone therapy is being given to ensure that any cancer that may remain after the radiotherapy, is being suppressed. Hopefully, this treatment will only be required for 2 years and after that, the side effects will disappear.
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