Charlie
Davis lives North Carolina, USA. He was 64 when he was diagnosed in March 2004.
His PSA at diagnosis was 6.00 ng/ml, his Gleason 7 and he was staged as T2. He
decided to take the Watchful Waiting option. Here's his story:
George
Carlin once said a dog's life is waiting. Waits to go in, go out, be loved, be
beat,.... I choose at this early stage to wait, do supplements, eat copious carrots
and wait to see what's up doc.
Initially,
all I find are specialists pushing product, theirs. If my PSA goes north, I would
probably opt out for the Laparoscopic Surgery trip.
Your
website is the best I have yet to uncover in this emotional coaster ride. My thanks.
Charlie
says his staging is actually T1c and his latest PSA is 7.9 ng/ml.
As
of this date, 13 August 2004, my lucky Friday the thirteen, I have not had a PSA
in over 45 days. So no news might not be good news. I have moved to Arkansas.
Will get back to you all after the next PSA. Still leaning toward laproscopic
removal if the PSA levels indicate unusual elevation. Doing supplements, proper
diet, exercise and plenty of positive thoughts and sex.
Attended my
first person to person support group and was sad to hear the majority did not
know their PSA numbers and other details of their diagnosis. Most all of them
have had surgery and did so on their Urologists first recommendation. No second
opinions, no complete understanding of their cancer, just a blind leap based on
the Urologist. All encouraged me to reach a decision SOON.
I am not certain that I will return to the group. Hope I am not in denial, but
I feel good about my watchful wait thing and will consider surgery if my numbers
go north.
My
PSA first since May 2004 (which was 7.9 ng/ml) checked in at 5.8 ng/ml. Good news.
More later.
Urologist
exam 28 July 2005, PSA holding at 6.5 ng/ml, DRE showing a little more hardness
according to the Urologist.
Appears
the cancer is within the Prostate, but then who knows for certain. I am certain
the watchful mode is best for me at the moment. Still taking the nutricants, supplements,
low fat diet, exercise and working on reducing stress levels.
Always
looking for alternative treatments, the Ultra Sound method by USHIFU, not approved
in the US sound encouraging. Anyone having experience in this area, I would appreciate
input. My best to all, stay positive.
Did
the follow up PSA 8 Nov 2005. The Urologist gave me a blank look and told me,
"It was the same as last time". So as usual the question for dice and slice was
answered with a no from the dicee/slicee. As long as my PSA does not escalate,
then I will assume that my cancer is within the walls of the Prostate. I realize
this is going against the last four Urologists recommendations to remove, but
it is my call. Doing a lot of mental and physcial exercise. Taking the supplements
. Closing in on March 2006 which will mark the anniversary of my first diagnosis.
Hope all is well with my brothers.
Returned
from a eastern Europe trip in May 06, admitting that my regular "watchful wait"
diet was difficult to follow. My urologist vist just days after my return to home,
had my PSA at 9.9 ng/ml the highest ever. Jet lag and diet were the cause in my
opinion. The Urologist asked me if I wanted to continue the course of WW and I
confirmed. He told me, "Lets schedule an appointment in a year" I told him we
were doing a six months exam and he tells me he remembers now, "yes in six months"
He does not agree with my watchful mode. I did a test with a mail out PSA lab
and it returned 4.7 ng/ml. This testing lab always comes in low and is done with
a finger prick by mail. I scheduled an Onocologist visit. PSA was tested there
and came in at 5.9 ng/ml! It is my present course to retain the Onocologist as
primary and cancel the urologist, continuing my WW. Next visit with the Onocologist
is Dec 11, and I will update accordingly.
My
warm regards to those battling not only their cancer but the aggressive methods
of the surgery boys.
Charlie.
Had
an oncology visit, December 2006, PSA 9.3 ng/ml. We decided to schedule another
PSA lab test in three months, in office six months. I am concerned that my PSA
is elevating, and considering the Radiology Clinics of Ga. I am moving up the
bar for input.
My
thanks to Terry for his prompt reply to a recent question asked.
My
best regards for a positive 2007.
My
goal in watchful waiting was to redirect my treatment mode if PSA reached double
digit. For approximately three years I seem to limit the PSA under 10. Diet, supplements,
avoiding stress, and exercise were my basis for watchful waiting, and hoping that
if PSA remained under 10 then it was contained to the prostate. I could not feel
warm and fuzzy with the adivce four urologists in three states advised, and that
was doing the "GOLD" standard.
After
a couple brushes with a 10 PSA, I focused on Georgia Raiotheraphy Clinic located
in Decatur, Ga. This was a source that actually responded with data on cure rates,
side effect reporting, ect. RC of Georgia has the track record and after careful
consideration, I have done the seed implant and now in the second week of beam
radiation therapy. GRC is transparent in my opinion and that is not the norm in
my quest for knowledge and advice as it applies to PC. Prior to treatment, I had
a bone scan, cat scan, and blood work.
Upon
entering the treatment, Dr. Critz, the director of GRC predicted a 77% cure. Post
seed implant and after review of the cat scans, he moved it to 85%.
The
seed implant was a forty-five minute procedure. The only discomfort was the Foley
catheter, which was removed the following day. I was told to resume anything that
I was doing the week prior with the exception of bike riding. I drove myself 900
miles back to Arkansas for a three week wait period prior to the beam therapy.
So
far, the only side effect I experience is a slight burring when I urinate. I am
told this is normal for radiation and will go away eventually. My sex life is
normal, and all systems are go.
If
you have any questions concerning this procedure, you can go the web site of Radiotheraphy
Clinics of Georgia or drop me an e mail.
The
first PSA test recommended was two weeks after the last of the 35 radiation treatments.
The onocologist were looking for 4.1 to 10. My PSA came in at 3.178, which of
course was good and under the normal. The next PSA will be three months post radiation,
and then each six months. The Radiotheraphy Clinics of Georgia determine a cure
if PSA remains under .2 for ten years. The caution that there may be a "bounce",
but not to worry.
The
only prescription drug I am taking is Flomax. I have been reducing the dose and
expect to be off it entirely soon. I am not nor have I ever wore a diaper or had
urinary control problems. My sex is normal. All systems are go.
Nine
months now after seed implant and six weeks of external beam radiation from the
Radiotheraphy Clinics of Georgia, my PSA comes in at 1.22. On course and positive
in regards to the treatment carefully (three years after diagnosis) chosen.
Charlie's
e-mail address is daviscb@yahoo.com
