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PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

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B. Butler and Donna live in Pennsylvania, USA. He was 50 when he was diagnosed on November 9, 2009. His initial PSA was 6.3 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and although he does not state his staging, it seems likely he was staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

The results of my biopsy came in on November 9, 2009 with cancer in 2 of the 12 samples. I spoke to the Urologist briefly and scheduled a bone scan and CAT scan of the pelvic region, both of which will take place in the next week. He did not provide any data on staging so need to get that data.

I am also having all results sent to the Fox Chase Cancer Center which is about an hour away. I spoke to them on the phone and they will review my results and then schedule an appt with the appropriate doctor. I will plan to keep YANA updated.

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

I opted for the laparoscopic surgery after investigating various options. Two of twelve biopsy samples had cancer, Gleason score of 6, initial PSA was 5.4, 60 days later it was 6.3 (post surgery PSA will be end of January).

Two items contributed to my choice for surgery:

- It was early enough that it may be isolated to the prostate.

- Psychological relief knowing the cancer was out of my body.

The complete pathology of the prostate after surgery showed no additional areas in the prostate of cancer. All borders also came up negative. The surgery was 4.5 hours and the surgeon told me ahead of time "he was going to take his time to be thorough and spare nerves".

Four weeks post surgery and I'm back to work (desk job), working out on an elliptic machine three times a week for 30 minutes. Incontinence is getting better and no impact on my quality of life. Best of all, my wife and I were able to have sex three weeks post surgery (with a little help from Cialis).

B's e-mail address is: butler4988@comcast.net