About 10 years into my retirement, I was still active and enjoyed excellent health. I saw my family doctor annually, and the thought of cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. At my checkup in the fall of 2007, however, my doctor suggested I go see a urologist, because the digital rectal exam raised some suspicions. Unsettling news, to be sure, but I held myself back from undue worrying just yet.
I had my first appointment with the urologist in April 2008, followed by a biopsy in June. The results showed cancerous cells in one lobe of the prostate. The urologist prescribed dutasteride (Avodart®) to reduce the size of the prostate and in the hopes of shrinking the tumour as well. I was aware that prostate cancer is common in men my age. Rather than wallow in despair, this disturbing turn of events spurred me on to find out all I could about the disease.
Another biopsy in February 2009 revealed that the tumour had spread and was now in two of the lobes. Things were looking more serious, and decisions were called for. My urologist discussed the possible treatment avenues, which I’d read about beforehand. My wife and I weighed all the benefits and risks; our main concern was to choose a treatment that offered the best guarantee (as much as that was possible) of getting rid of the cancer completely. So we decided on radical prostatectomy, which was to take place within about three months.
I forced myself to be positive during the “waiting game.” I informed my relatives and friends of my situation and kept up with my routine activities. I was especially faithful to my weekly exercise sessions, thinking that they would prove to be a good “investment” when it came to the moment of surgery itself as well as during the post-op period — and they were. I pursued my reading on the subject of prostate cancer. Since mine seemed to be still at an early stage, I considered that luck was on my side. If things turned out to be worse than I expected, then I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.
Mid-May arrived and I was called for the operation. My surgeon had already explained that he preferred the traditional “open” method of radical prostatectomy to laparoscopy, and I accepted, even though I knew it was more invasive. My wife and daughter kept me company before and after the procedure, and despite a bit of nervousness I felt pretty confident overall.
Recovery in sight
According to the surgeon’s first report (anxiously awaited), everything had gone well. The prostate wasn’t too big; lymph nodes had been removed; and the erectile nerves had been spared. I was discharged from the hospital a little over 36 hours following the operation. I was able to walk on my own fairly well, and a nurse provided homecare visits for the first week.
Recovery went well in general, thanks in large part to the support of my family and friends. Urinary control was improving little by little. I was a bit frustrated to have to miss out on the beginning of the bicycling season, but a good reading list helped me pass the time during those early weeks. It was important for me to keep mentally active.
I resumed serious cycling in mid-July and in the middle of August I finished my first long-distance course — 100 km, on an easy trail of course. The follow-up visit to my surgeon confirmed that the cancer hadn’t spread outside the prostate gland. Recovery is on the horizon! After six months, incontinence is hardly an issue at all. As for erectile function, well, that takes a bit more time, as well as patience, understanding and collaboration, as much from oneself as from one’s partner.
My main weapons of defence in living through this experience: information, a positive attitude, staying in top physical shape and the support of my partner.
