YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Andrew Sikes lives in Virginia USA. He was 40 when he was diagnosed on September 21, 2009. His initial PSA was 1.4 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and although he does not give his staging, it seems from his narrative that he would have been staged T1c. His choice of treatment was RALP (Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy). Here is his story..

I am Andrew Sikes and I have Prostate Cancer. I'm 40, I surf, build wooden surf and Stand-up Paddleboards, sail, race mountain bikes, teach SCUBA, and work as a Fire-fighter/Paramedic. Needless to say my general health is excellent.

I received my diagnosis on Monday September 21 and am scared shitless. You probably need not guess that I've been awake most of the night...

Things started with a PSA test during my annual FD physical in March. The doctor and I decided to do a PSA screen due to my age and close family history (father had PCa). My PSA was 1.7, I was referred to a urologist and re-tested in July after a circuit of antibiotics with a result of 1.4. DRE.(s) are normal. Biopsy on September 15, results on September 21 revealed Gleason = 6 in one of 12 samples, not yet staged. Samples were sent to Johns Hopkins for re-analysis. RLRP (Robotic Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy) is recommended, I meet with the surgeon on Monday.

What scares me most is not the surgery, I survived emergent brain surgery for intracranial bleeding in 01/06, I can certainly survive this. I was privileged to witness a robotic nephrectomy when I was in Paramedic school, and am not unfamiliar with operating rooms. It's what happens after that I'm worried about.

I'm not sure what I expect from you, actually I really don't know what to expect from any of this. The past two days have been an emotional rollercoaster. Now I'm just trying to educate myself and accept that I have prostate cancer at 40.

Later: First, I would like to express my appreciation to all on the YANA site for sharing their stories and experiences, good and bad, and for those who contacted me with words of encouragement and advice. I especially would like to mention Terry Herbert, Bob Evansen (whose story so closely parallels mine), John S, and Mrs K**** G****** for sharing her husband's story. You have all made this experience significantly less scary, your words provide much needed solace in this time of fear and doubt. The resources here are far more informative and (more importantly) personal than any book or literature I've read since my diagnosis. Your bravery is contagious. Thanks to All of You.

Now for some good news!

I met today with Dr Scott Burgess of Hampton Roads Urology. He's an enthusiastic young Urology Surgeon (38) but has an immense amount of experience with RLRP. For the past five years, He has performed Da Vinci procedures at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News and does around 300 procedures a year. His first comment was "...what's a guy like you doing with prostate cancer..?"

My 12-Core biopsy on 09/15 showed 2% Gleason-6 in only one core. To Dr Burgess, this discovery is simply a case of aim. He feels that Dr Taylor could have easily missed the one small area of cancer and returned a normal biopsy. In my case it was simply chance that my cancer was discovered.

We discussed the multitude of options I have available: RP, RLRP, Cryo, Focused Cryo (trial ongoing at Johns Hopkins now), Brachy, etc. Apparently I have the entire menu for my choosing. The most important thing I have right now is TIME. I didn't expect a surgeon to discourage me from a procedure. Dr Burgess thinks surgery isn't necessary...yet. When the time comes though, I'll have him do a Da Vinci RLRP.

For now, we're not doing anything. We'll diligently monitor my little walnut, I'll continue living my life, repeat a PSA next March with another 15-core (or more) biopsy early next Fall. There is no need for surgery at this point. Dr Burgess feels it's too early for RP because I have so little cancer and since for me, surgery would not result in a "life change" only a "lifestyle change." This also gives me a chance to donate and preserve some sperm for use when Katie and I decide to have children.

This news does not change the fact that I am 40 and have prostate cancer. I will have to treat it eventually... What this does mean is that I'm 40 and LIVING with Prostate Cancer.

 

UPDATED

November 2009

 

 

Well, I received some pretty good news yesterday. On the advice of my Urologists Drs. Taylor and Burgess from Hampton Roads Urology, I had my biopsy slides sent to the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. [without wishing to imply I'm in the same class as these good doctors, that is my advice to every one - see Recognised Expert Pathologists.]

My slides were reviewed by Dr Jonathan I Epstein, a specialist in "...diagnosis of limited adenocarcinoma on needle biopsy..." Dr Epstein's opinion is that I DO NOT HAVE CANCER...yet. My Biopsy definitely contains abnormal cells, most likely pre-cancerous, but not yet definitively cancer. His recommendation for treatment also coincides with that of Drs Taylor and Burgess. For now, surgery is absolutely not warranted.

I will continue to monitor for changes, repeat PSA's every six months, and have a more thorough biopsy in four months. More updates then...

Andrew's e-mail address is: asikes@williamsburgva.gov