So it’s been four and a half years since my radical prostatectomy. How am I doing? (Remember, what follows is a graphic description, so proceed only if you want to read…)
Status
PSA remained undetectable in my last screening in January, and I’m now on a 9 month screening schedule, so my next screening isn’t until September. That screening will be four months shy of the five year mark.
Incontinence
With my weight loss of 47 lbs. / 21 kg, I have noticed an improvement in my stress incontinence. There are fewer episodes and those that do happen are less significant (not that they were hugely significant to begin with). That’s a good sign. Still, as you saw from my last regular post, getting sick and doing some heavy coughing was an issue for me.
On a related note, I can sleep through most nights without having to make a run to the bathroom.
Sexual Function
With only one nerve bundle and no chemical assistance, I’m doing okay. I can’t just will myself to have an erection like I did when I was 18, which means that external stimulation is needed to make things happen. Most of the time, my erections are in the 80% – 90% range which is good enough to achieve orgasm. On occasion, I can achieve an erection that matches those from pre-surgery days; and a few days, it just doesn’t happen at all.
Sometimes, orgasms can be quite intense; other times, they’re not much more than a whimper. Usually, they’re somewhere in between. Psychologically, I still am not keen with the concept of dry orgasms. It’s like, “What’s the point?” in my mind.
Summary
Overall, I’m pleased with where I’m at–cancer-free and living life.
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Ah, the elusive post-prostatectomy erection, and not just the prostatectomy: There’s the loss of that neurovascular bundle, half of the plumbing and wiring for an erection. The therapist told me that since I lost my one bundle that “spontaneous” erections (those that occur without physical stimulation) would be history, that only “provoked” erections (the result of stimulation) would occur. But — thankfully — I’m still orgasmic, even without an erection and without ejaculation. As Dr. Patrick Walsh writes, “Millions of people have orgasms every day without an erection and without ejaculation — they’re called women.” So I guess I come like a girl!😎 And I’m OK with that. Keep fighting the good fight! B
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Hey Bill,
Thanks for the insights. Like you, I’m just happy to be able to achieve orgasm in my new normal. On the bright side, there’s no mess to clean up any longer. 🙂
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