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Christopher Ivy and Virginia live in North Carolina, USA . He was 58 when he was diagnosed on May 05, 2008. His initial PSA was 7.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c . He is undecided as to his choice of treatment . Here is his story.

I have been following my PSA for several years.

In 12/04 PSA was 3.0,
12/05 4.7,
01/07 5.1,
07/07 5.2,
01/08 7.4,
03/08 7.7, and
06/08 7.7.

Two previous biopsies came back normal but the latest results was one core positive with 3% of tissue being cancerous.

I have had a bone scan which showed no problems.

A second opinion on the biopsy confirmed the results of the first biopsy. I received those results yesterday.

Have talked with physicians regarding external radiation and seeds. It seems that all I hear is why radiation is bad from the urologist and why removing the prostate is bad from the radiologists.

I am open to active surveillance with a little reluctance from my wife. I feel the missing piece is a color Doppler ultrasound. Have consulted with Dattoli Cancer Center who would do the color Doppler as well as some other tests. Their initial response from reviewing my biopsy information is that I would probably benefit from both external beam radiation and seeds.

I am have an appointment with my urologist this week where I plan to discus my apprehensions on treatment and I consult with a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and urologist at Duke University Medical Center scheduled for later in July.

Any suggestions are welcome particularly sites that offer Color Doppler ultrasound. I am especially interested in sites near North Carolina but will go to Florida if need be.

Is there anyone out there that is using the color Doppler, PSA follow up, and additional biopsies to follow their cancer rather than radiation or removal?

Also if I did need to proceed with a treatment neither option seems to be better choice. I am leaning toward removal based on the fact that the side effects are pretty much known right away as waiting for a few years to see what develops after radiation treatment.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

UPDATED

July 2008

 

 

 

Since I received my diagnosis in May I have done a lot of reading, talking with folks, and further consultation with doctors.

I got a second opinion on my biopsy which confirmed the original diagnosis of one of twelve cores positive at 3%, and Gleason of 6. PSA in March and June was 7.7, and I am looking forward to a new PSA in September.

I had several replies from my post on YANA which were helpful to me. I felt comfortable with Active Surveillance but there was some hesitation from my wife and I still think she would prefer some treatment but has become supportive of my decision. I had a consult with my urologist who was respectful of AS although he does not feel that I should wait too long possibly 6 months to 2 years.

Yesterday I had a consult with a multidisciplinary team at Duke's Prostate Center. All three people we met were extremely professional and respectful of my position. After reviewing my medical information and talking with my wife and me they supported my decision to wait. They recommended low fat diet, supplements of Vitamin D and Calcium, Soy Milk and Flax seed It was a monumental day for us.

I will continue to monitor my PSA every three months and proceed from there. Thanks to the men who responded to my earlier post, their support was helpful in getting me from May to July.

Will update with PSA reports in the future.

 

UPDATED

October 2008

 

 

I had a new PSA done at the end of September which was 5.5. This is down from 7.7 in June. Not sure what it means other than it did not go up. Continuing on supplements of Vitamn D, fish oil, flax seed, and excersize. Will meet with the urologist next week to discuss my situation. Not sure what else can be done at this time other than be pleased that the PSA did not go up!

 

UPDATED

January 2009

 

 

New PSA completed this week. Current reading is now 8.8 up from 7.7 in June and 5.5 in October. Having some prostatitis problems but this is still an all time high for my PSA.

Getting a little nervous about the elevated levels. I will be going to the urologist in February and will be discussing another biopsy.

 

UPDATED

March 2009

 

 

It has been nearly one year since my diagnosis.

I had a another biopsy done at the end of February. It came back with one core out of twelve positive at 5%. Gleason of 6.

I was pleased as ws my doctor so we are staying the course with active surveillance. Still on vegetarian diet, fish oil, flax seed, and vitamin D.

 

UPDATED

September 2009

 

 

PSA in June was 8.8 the same as January. New PSA in September 2009 was 9.3. This is a new all time high. I am blaming some of the increase on prostatis. Currently on an antibiotic and I have been asked to come back in for a new PSA at the beginning of October.

My PSA was 7.7 at the time of diagnosis so don't know what to make of the increase to 9.3.

 

UPDATED

November 2009

 

 

I have had two additonal PSA's since my last post. The PSA continues to go up. At the end of September it was 9.8 and in November it is now 11.8. A pretty quick increase in the last 5 months. In May 2008 at diagnosis it was 7.7 and 8.8 in June 2009. However since June it has jumped 3 points.

Having another biopsy this week. The doctor is not sure what is causing the rise in PSA. I have been on several courses of antibiotics between these latest PSA readings. Will check back in after the biopsy results.

 

UPDATED

December 2009

 

 

Today was another uplifting day in my battle with PC.

Went to the doctor today for results on my recent biopsy and bone scan. The first words out of the doctor's mouth is I have some very good news for the both of you! All of the 12 cores came back negative. This is after two biopsies with one core positive with 5% involvement. My doctor is now willing to continue with the AS.

He did start me on Avodart although I do not have an enlarged prostate or any symptoms. He also prescribed Flagyl or two weeks.

The thought is there is a lot of inflammation which I have felt for some time. So there will be no surgery at the start of the New Year and have a return appointment in March.

Christopher's e-mail address is: civy7@aol.com