Bill
Pritchard
and Chris live in United Kingdom. Bill was 44 when he was diagnosed on 5 January
2004. His initial PSA was 5.3 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was (2+2) 4. He was
staged as T1c and chose Surgery as his treatment. Here is his story:
I
was going to the toilet 2 or 3 times throughout the night. This went on for over
a year. With my age I didn't think about Prostate cancer, too much tea / coffee!
I
had a routine blood test end June 03, I mentioned my frequency at night and the
doctor performed a DRE. He didn't think there was a problem as it was smooth.
However, the blood test showed a PSA of 3.8 ng/ml.
My
doctor referred me to the hospital. A non-urgent appointment came back, for 20
weeks. At the hospital, mid November, the consultant performed a DRE and further
blood test. The result was a PSA of 5.3 ng/ml. A biopsy was scheduled for 15 December.
12 cores were taken.
I
was advised on 5 January 04 I had cancer, T1c, Gleason 2+2. One core showed abnormal
cells, just 10% of that core. I was given bonescan on 13 January and MRI scan
on 19 January. On 16 February 2004, I had a further PSA which indicated 7.5 ng/ml,
although we do not know how reliable this is after the biopsy.
I
had to make a decision and went for surgery, this took place on the 9th March,
with catheter removed 28 March. Histology report indicated T2b, 0.5mm margin but
with some perineural infiltration (although still confined?), all this is from
memory as they won't give you a copy of the report!
Anyway,
I am booked in for my first PSA test post op, middle of June and seeing my consultant
early July for the results.
Fingers crossed, best wishes to all.
Good
news! just had the results (2nd July 04) of my first PSA test after surgery, with
the reading being <0.01. Fingers crossed for the next one in early November.
Since
my operation, things have been up & down. I was always 'fit' and probably pushed
myself a little hard, so at times I felt great, other days I felt tired / weak.
Not been too bad lately, got back into my long walks (hobby) and just completed
a 25 mile (40km), with plenty of ascent, so well pleased.
Continence
has been good, few dribbles (until over-excitement in the pub watching the England
{soccer} matches!), got to keep doing the exercises
2nd
PSA result (5 Nov 04) after my op., with another good result <0.01.
I've
been feeling OK and have continued to try to regain my old fitness. Again, little
'ups and downs', but generally I feel fine, apart from the run up to getting the
results, nervous time. I read somewhere about your diet and how certain foods
can surpress the growth of the cancer if it's still present, so for 'belt & braces'
mentality, I decided to generally cut out dairy products, whilst including more
of others recommended (have a look on the internet).
I've
been very fortunate up to now, hope things continue. Good luck to everyone else,
Bill.
3rd
PSA result (1 Apr 05) after my op., good result <0.05.
I'm
assured by my consultant that the method of PSA testing now used by our health
authority is different to my two previous tests and that 0.05 is the minimum value
that could be registered (previous two tests were <0.01, I initially thought it
had increased!).
Things
have continued to go well. Erections are 'virtually' back to what they were. Very
few dribbles, I even got though a couple of England soccer matches in the pub
without problems. I still find it difficult to complete the pelvic muscle exercises
as regular as I know I should, but it seems to be OK, so far.
Health
wise I'm still improving. As I've mentioned above, one hobby is my walking. Each
weekend out and about, leaving the wife at home (she doen't want to go!). Last
week we completed a walk (46 miles) that I also did last August. Then it was only
5 months after the operation and I was totally shattered, it made me very tired
for a week and not the right thing to do at the time. Anyway, last week was no
problem. End of May I am attempting our 100 mile (160km) walk +12,000ft ascent.
Last time, 2003, it took 36 hours, I just want to finish this time.
Next
PSA test is September, fingers crossed. Best wishes to all.
Hi
All!
September
2 - had my latest PSA test results and fortunately, it is still undetectable,
reading <0.05. Have my next set of tests late December, seeing my consultant 6
January 06 for next set of results.
I
asked my consultant do we ever get an 'all clear' from PC? I was advised no, not
really, but if you get to 3 years and it's still undectable it's a good guide
that everything is OK. So, only 18 months to go!
Generally
I've been in good health. My kidney's have been a bit sore (aching) at times,
normally disappears if I drink water. Every since my operation, I've always drank
loads of water, I feel constantly thirsty. My consultant tested for diabetes,
this not being a problem though. However, she's decided to give me a kidney scan
in the next couple of weeks are so, just to make sure nothing wrong there (good
old national health service!). Hopefully all will be well.
More
important matters. England (soccer) won yesterday, one more step to the World
Cup finals. I missed it though, out walking again. Regarding my last posting,
I completed the 100 miles walk in May (34hrs43min) first '100' I've complete after
my operation. Event is only held once a year in May and the time before the op
was 34hrs59min, so I was well pleased with our efforts.
Not
much else to say, just best wishes to all out there, Bill and Christine.
Dear
All,
I've
continued with an "undetectable" PSA result, fortunately. It's still
a worry when I go to see the consultant for the results.
It's
now 9th March and I'm a little late posting this result (computer problems!).
Anyway,
tomorrow will be two years since my operation. It now seems a long, long time
ago. Hope things continue as they have been,
Best
wishes to all,
Bill
Dear
All,
Just
got my most recent results (1st June) and the PSA is still undetectable (<0.05)
and other tests, liver, kidneys, etc., are all OK.
Really
pleased again, of course. Over 3 years now from my operation and things are still
going well with my health.
Finished
another '100' miler last weekend, fewer blisters than previous years but I was
tired all week, I must be getting old!
Best
wishes to all, Bill
Bill's
e-mail address is: bill.chris@ntlworld.com
