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Chapter 6
His Prostate and Me
Mostly, cancer survivors tell their new friend the details
of their health history, because they are by nature open and
forthright. Maybe, this was why Dick told me he was a
prostate cancer survivor soon after we met. My reaction must
have been his litmus test. Apparently I passed. I do think,
however, it is better to develop a keen friendship before
divulging details about your health.
Although I was eager to hear more about his case in our
early courting days, I wasn't quite ready for the topic he
decided to broach. Dick told me that he was impotent and
that the only option he had left for a normal sexual life was to
have a penile implant. Since he had already spent many years
chasing the wrong solutions, he wanted to take action right
away, particularly in light of our recent marriage discussions.
I shuddered when he alerted me about his decision to have
the operation.
I wanted to talk about the emotional implications of this
surgery. Dick wanted to limit our discussions to matter of fact
data about the device, including showing me a photograph
and a diagram illustrating how it operates. When I saw the
three-piece model of the implant device, my reaction was
worse than when we were merely talking about it. The whole
idea did not appeal to me, but Dick appealed to me, so I had
to at least address the issue and help him through the surgery.
He investigated the three basic types of penile implant
devices available, all of which do not disturb the natural look
or feel of the penis. The simplest is the semi-rigid device,
which is a rod or a pair of rods implanted in the penis, which
can then be can be bent upward for intercourse and
downward afterward. This device is easy to use and easier to
install than the inflatable devices. The obvious disadvantage is
that the penis is never flaccid. It is either bowed up or down.
Another option is the more complex, 2. It consists of two fluid filled cylinders,
which are implanted in the penis, and a pump mechanism that
is implanted beneath the glans or head of the penis. The
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