Bob
Weeks lives in Texas, USA. He was 54 when he was diagnosed on January 10, 2006.
His intial PSA was 5.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His
choice of treatment was Active Surveillance (aka Watchful Waiting). Here is his
story:
After completing a colonoscopy with clean results and having met my deductible
for the year, I decided to get some other necessary testing that I had put off.
The PSA was one of of them. It came back elevated, 5.2 ng/ml, so the urologist
suggested a DRE and biopsy. I had the biopsy on Dec. 30th, 2005 and was presented
with a positive result on Janaury 10, 2006.
I wasn't shocked as much as
I was just mad. I began my research and immediately decided that whatever lay
ahead, a change in diet and lifestyle was essential. I have decided, at least
for the time being, to pursue the Active Surveillance route. I like that terminology
much better that Watchful Waiting which implies I'm not doing ANYTHING! That just
is NOT the case.
My
next PSA is scheduled for Mar. 15th, 2006.
God Bless you all!
After
the initial diagnosis, I began a nutritional and physical regime. I also had made
an appointment for my next PSA. As my regime was kicking in, I looked forward
to the day of my appointment. I had lots of people praying for me too. On March
21st, I received the results! My PSA had dropped 30% to 3.6. I was ecstatic. I
know this is only the beginning but I believe that what I'm doing is working and
it only encourages me to continue. I had a free PSA done also and it came in at
22% which is not great, but I had no starting point.
I
will continue my Active Surveillance.
In
His Grace Alone,
Bob.
Looking
for a good way to test your PSA without going through the usual routine with your
doctor? I found a site which was most helpful, it's called First
Link Medical . I called their 800 number on a Friday, went down to a local
lab within an hour, gave a sample and received my results the following Monday
all for only $45.00. Don't guess this would work outside the States though?
Here's
the latest: PSA 4.9 ng/ml. Up a little, but not too bad!
Continuing
with current Active Surveillance regime.
Still
hanging in there with the Active Surveillance. My PSA is on a downward trend -
now 4.1 ng/ml. I'm holding out for HIFU in the USA or a host of promising treatments
coming down the road. For all you guys who are taking the road less travelled
with AS, hang in there!! NO DIAPERS!!
Nothing
much has changed since my last update, except my PSA is now 7.1 ng/ml.
I'm
interested in HIFU and keeping an eye out for all the new treatments on the horizon.
Not a big fan of current treatment options considering the side effects and feel
it is still an overdiagnosed and overtreated disease.
This
in no way dimishes anybody else's choices as I think we are all on the same journey
with different paths toward what we feel our individual quality of life should
be.
May
God continue bless each one of you!
Bob's
e-mail address is: bweeks44@earthlink.net
