Patients speak about prostate cancer and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Bob Leonard, Port Huron, Michigan
I am 71 years old and semi-retired. My brother and I manage/own an 18 hole golf course located in Ontario, Canada. When it closes for the winter I move South, where I spend some time with my son sailing and fishing on his boat. Despite some problems with high blood pressure and a heart murmur, I've been very active.
In January of 2001, I peed blood. I had had urine infections before and some problems with my prostate for which I took Proscar. My brother had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and been treated with seeds. One thing led to the next and soon enough, I too was iagnosed with prostate cancer.
I had my LRP in March of 2001. Dr. Krongrad said I lost only 50 ccs of blood. I'm not surprised, given how strong I felt and how easy it it was to walk around that evening. I had no pain and needed no medication for pain. They let me go home the next morning. After hanging around Miami for a bit, my wife and I drove our car back to Michigan.
I've done the best for myself that I could have done. I have never had a doctor who spent more time with me, both before and after surgery, in giving me reassurance, support, and explanations.
