Craka
John and Maxine live in New South Wales, Australia. He was 75 when he was diagnosed
in July 2008. His initial PSA was 9.0 ng/ml, he does not know his Gleason Score
or what he was staged . His choice of treatment was ADT (Androgen Deprivation
Therapy) plus EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy). Here is his story.
I
had a fairly severe stroke in March 2007 - about 5 on the Richter scale. My left
side froze - speech and swallowing was out and I was in hospital till May. They
say I just about carked it but recovered OK and have a function of about 80%.
Brain OK except for ANXIETY and emotive control, which makes dealing with other
things a big drama. However I am doing a radio show each week - jazz, big bands
and songs from the 20s 30's 40's. I am a retired muso and bean counter and live
in the country to avoid stress
I had an MRI scab done in July 2008 which
showed a node highlighted (from drug injected at scan) and in due course I had
a biopsy on September 15, 2008. I asked the specialist who had ordered the biopsy
about the scan results and was told "one thing at a time".
I was given
no details of the result of the biopsy but gained the impression that it was OK
and was referred by the specialist to North Coast Cancer Institute (NCCI) at Coffs
Harbour who arranged another MRI in December 2008.
The doctor I saw at
NCCI said that, even though the scan appeared to show the node exactly as it was
in July (although apparently some of the scans had been "lost" by the first specialist)
the cancer was more aggressive than first thought.
I started Zoladex implants
in early December 2008 and had shots in January, February and March, 2009. I understood
that I was to have radiation at Coffs Harbour in July 2009.
When I had
my March 2009 appointment the doctor said that the cancer had not spread but it
all seems wishy washy diagnosis to me as my PSA was 3.0 and I want some real answers.
It's a worry not knowing.
I have told these experts to be blunt. Have
had my wife in on all discussions.
Cheers
Craka
John
John's
e-mail address: maxjohn@skymesh.com.au.
