Tues 12th Aug
After yesterdays clean bill of health and the OK to return to exercising, I went to the farm and ran 2 laps (about 4.5M). Pace was quite slow, it took me approx, 51 minutes for the two laps. Before the op., I would have done it in around 37/38 min, or 34/35 min if doing a fast session.
My bladder wasn't full starting but I began to dribble very early. I passed a couple of walkers after about 0.5M and, as I passed, I felt could feel a dribble running down my leg. I eased off after that but stopped every 2 to 3 minutes to empty an already bladder - there was never much in it. When I was concious of it, I leaked. I think I didn't when I (rarely) switched off. I had a second bad leak episode when a woman was approaching. I think, in both cases, that I was afraid that they'd see my state.
I haven't been wearing pads at all since July 4th, however, for the foreseeable future, I think I'll have to wear one while running.
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4 comments:
Your blog is an amazing dissertation of your strength and character. I truly admire you. I am a 53 yo runner and have been at it for 30 years. I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer last week via TRUS guided biopsy (Gleason score 4+4/8). I have decided not to undergo any conventional treatment whatsoever and try a nutritional approach. Needless to say, wife and son are not happy with my decision but it is my decision. I just don’t have the will or courage to endure all you have been through. Mark, USA
Mark can you please mail me privately at eagle262[at]gmail.com.
Having been through the less conventional full RP, I feel that anyone with a good (or better yet, like you and me, a high) degree of fitness has little to fear from surgery.
Being approx. the same age, and assuming the same general health, we both have a life expectancey of approx. 35 years.
My surgeon, David M. Quinlan, said, when I asked him what would happen if I did nothing; "Nothing, but in 10 years, maybe as little as 5, it will hit you."
When this reared it's head, I said to myself; "I choose life!!" and I haven't regretted my decision. It's 17 weeks, almost to the minute since the op., and I'm well on the way to full recovery; I've been fully continent for everyday things since late June and potency is returning. I still have problems with continence when running - I run with a pad and some days are good, some bad, mostly in between, but improving. I'm now back participating in races, but not competitively (yet!).
Maybe my background (father died aged 51 (heart), mother died aged 58 (colon cancer) and brother died aged 51 (heart) tipped me towards my decision. I'd like to be around for my grandchildrens' youth.
Mark, you've everything going for you. I don't know your circumstances and reasoning for your decision, but, based on what you've posted, I reckon you' have everything to gain from treatment.
Thanks for the inspirational story. My dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last month and is having a radical prostatectomy in two weeks. It's great to read such a positive story of hope, and especially from a fellow runner. Good luck with your ongoing success in health and running, and thanks again for taking the time to write about your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks Marshall. The blog (which is nearly two months out of date - publication seems to be inversely related to my recovery!) is intended to help people like your dad to have an idea what they might be facing. It's not to everyone's taste, but then most readers will never be faced with the decisions your dad and I have.
My fitness has told a lot and i'm sure it will in your dad's case too.
Nearly 5 months on from the op., and I am fully continent, except for occassional slight leakage when racing or doing speedwork. I completed a 15 mile race in 2:04:07 on Sunday Oct 5th and a 7k cross-country race on Sunday 12th, with no problems either day. Times are way down, but hey!, when I was making my surgical decision, I was prepared for the event that I might never be able to run again.
Best of luck to your dad. btw, the day of the op. will probably be rough on your mom, so give her all the support you can. Your dad will probably be 'out of it' on anasthetics (did I speel taht OK?) and won't know much about it.
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