An Epitaph and an Elegy for a Prostate (Incontinence, Impotence and Artificial Urinary Sphincter), Part I

Book excerpt: AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY FOR A PROSTATE is a record (8 years so far) of the author's experience with the effects of a prostatectomy (RP). Salient among these effects are incontinence, impotence and almost 5 year experience with the use of an artificial urinary sphincter (AMS Sphincter 800 Urinary Prosthesis). In addition to being a record of a life-changing experience, AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY expresses the author's belief that writing about a traumatic event like a prostatectomy can become a form of control, especially control over one's response to trauma and an answer to the insistent question, "Why Me?" The author believes also that AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY will be useful to readers in making a decision, if the need arises, about the treatment of prostate cancer. Where to find information about such treatment appears in the book in the form of web-sites, books, and articles from medical journals. AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY carries, as one of its sub-titles, Part 1. This is meant to hold open the possibility of a Part 2, Part 3 and so on. But in all these matters, the author stays with the opinion, best expressed by Jonathan Swift, that "Fortune turns on a Wheel."