YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Dave Martinez and Josie live in California-USA. He was 48 when he was diagnosed in January 2008. His initial PSA was 5.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 5 and although he does not state it, he would have been staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Surgery. Here is his story.

I am a Fire Department Captain in Los Angeles County. Every year at or around our birth date, we receive a thorough physical exam. I've been monitoring my PSA since the year 2000. My Dad had PC as did 3 of my uncles (his brothers). I knew in just a matter of time it would come but I didn't think this soon. Genetics and my profession played the major role in my diagnosis.

Anyways, PSA in June 2007 was 3.9. The Doctor who gave me my physical, Dr. Alan Pactman (a true saint) sent me to a urologist, Dr. Nick Tomasic (coincidently, his Father is a retired FD Captain who I had worked for at one time years ago). Biopsy August 9, 2007: NEGATIVE however, out of the 12 samples, 2 looked a little "suspicious." The Urologist said: "you don't have cancer" just as soon as he opened the door.

I came back to his office in four months for a DRE and a blood test. January 2008: "your PSA is at 5.2...come in for another biopsy." One week later my wife and I received the news : "I'm sorry David, but we found some cancer." To say the least I WAS DEVASTATED. I have 2 comrades who just had the surgeries and had gone through all the "hoops" regarding which treatments, Doctors, etc. They both told me to call them asap.

Well, I was on the phone as I left my urologist' office on my way to the car. I hit the ground running. Within two hours I had decided to have the surgery and had appointments with a surgeon at the USC Cancer Norris Center and an appointment with the top Robotic Surgeon at the City of Hope. One doc operated on my buddy Marty and the other on my buddy Dave. I've researched this subject several thousand times and have read numerous testimonials. Conclusion: THE SKILL OF THE SURGEON IS PARAMOUNT.

I see the doc at USC on February 13th, 2008 and the Doctor at the COH on February 20th. Yeah, my Gleason score is relatively low, and THEY say "prostate cancer is slow growing." But THEY ARE NOT ME. Right now, I like the idea of a surgeon being able to touch the gland and surrounding tissue with his hands but I don't like the longer recovery. I like the idea of the Da Vinci method: precise, magnification, going home the next day. At this point in time as I write this, I will put up with the extra pain JUST AS LONG AS THE CANCER IS OUT OF MY BODY (traditional surgery).

Now I wait for the 13th of February.

 

UPDATED

February 2008

 

 

February 3, 2008: I finally got the balls to tell my 78 year old parents. My Dad had PC and had the traditional method done. I also told my older brother Steve. My younger brother Larry, well, I told him the day I was diagnosed. I didn't walk in my parents house with a long face, depressed etc. I went in and said: "Mom, Dad, in about a month I'm going to have my prostate taken out." They wanted to be sad but I don't think they could have. My Dad I think kept a closer watch on my prostate exams than I did. I could feel the concern on his face everytime we spoke of it. I told him: "Dad, I know its going to happen and I'm ready; i've done my homework. its going to be ok, don't you worry." I felt I did the right thing. I also told everyone who has been a huge influence in my personal and fire department life. I could FEEL the aura over the phone.

February 5, 2008: tomorrow, I take my buddy Dave, age 54, gleason 7 (my Battalion Chief in the Fire Department) to the City of Hope for his "salvage" radiation (I've learned sooo much; now I'm using the lingo!). He was diagnosed in October '07, had the DaVinci method done, finds out a microscopic piece or two got away so now, he's got to go huntin'! I'm telling everyone this because guy is one of my top "go to guys." First, he gets diagnosed with it, has the state of the art surgery, finds out he still has it THEN I get it. I'm saddened, bummed out etc. & here's this guy and his situation, consoling me, reassuring me and telling me: "David, everything is going to be alright."

I looked for Dr. Walsh's latest edition on dealing with OUR disease but could only find his 1997 version. Needless to say, its very informative. Josie (my wife) will be picking up or at least looking for the 2007 version tomorrow while I'm with Dave at the City of Hope. Heck, since I see his Doc on February 20, 2008 I might as well pop my head into his office, say hello, kiss a little butt and see if I could get in sooner! Maybe bring some chocolates! You never know! My game face goes on tomorrow. It could be worse: you could have cancer. Dave :-)

Later:

Feb 18, 2008: A tremendous amount of relief is now off of my shoulders. All my pre op is complete. All I have to do now is have surgery. From despair to happiness. Just think: "On February 26th, I'm going to have my cancer removed!" Who wouldn't be happy?

My surgery is being done by Dr. Mark Kawachi at The City of Hope; HE'S A GOD! With a couple of cancellations, everything worked out for me. It'll be exactly 6 weeks since my biopsy. If my wife hadn't been persistent, I would've had to wait until April for the surgery. Just because your doctor's office says "we're booked for another 2-3 months" doesn't mean you give up. Call everyday, email everyday; a cancellation will occur! Then, as a present to myself, my wife and I went out and bought a 52" flat screen LCD TV and then purchased a nice leather recliner "for my recovery."

3 more shifts at the firehouse then on a 2 month hiatus.

Keep the faith. Dave :-)

Later:

February 24, 2008: You all might to sit down for this one.

On February 15th, '08, my wife, father-in-law and myself went to The City of Hope for my pre-operative exam; basically to see if I were ready physically for my surgery to be conducted on February 26th, '08 (2 days from this writing). By the end of the day, chest xrays, blood, peeing in the cup, etc. was complete. "See you on Tuesday the 26th" they said. I was ready. The day was approaching and I was ready for my life to change. Everything was in order. All I had to do was wait for the day. That was until the phone rang at 8:30 PM on Monday, February 18th. "David, this is Dr. Kawatchi from The City of Hope. . .our pathologists looked at the biopsy slides you brought in. . .YOU DO NOT HAVE PROSTATE CANCER. . .however, I want you to go see a Doctor by the name of Duke Bahn, He's a radiologist who'll do a color doppler ultrasound. . .if you have prostate cancer, he'll find it. . .but as of right now, you will not be having surgery on February 26th." Question: If 2 pathologists (according to my pathology report, an additional doctor has to concur with the initial doctor's diagnosis)agree that they see cancer, how can the doctors at the City of Hope not find any?

 

UPDATED

March 2008

 

 

ANOTHER cancellation! Instead of seeing Dr. Bahn on March 19, I received a call to see him on March 11 (today is March 13). Ultrasound/color Doppler. "I'm your tie breaker David" Dr. Bahn tells me. He looks at my recent pathologists' report and tells me: "Gleason 5? We don't use Gleason 5 anymore because that is NOT considered cancer." "Oh" I thinkin'.

Again, I get probed in my rear end (after a 2 hour drive to Ventura). He located a couple of "dark" spots in both black and white and in color. He conveys to me that "it has not left the capsule."

"But is it cancer" I ask (as you probably know, he can't commit without conclusive evidence from a pathologist - but I think he knows based upon his experience).

"50/50" he says.

Anyways, Friday March 15 (payday) or the latest Monday March 18, I'll know. If it is? Well, here I go again. I've been through the shock, the emotional ups and downs not to mention the tremendous amount of pressure I put upon myself. Not this time. I'm tired of it. Bring it on. Everyday is going to be good.

Wish me luck. David.

Later:

March 18, 2008. Again, you may want to sit down for this one.

Yesterday, St. Patricks Day, I received the phone call at 1130 hours regarding my color doppler ultrasound: "David, this is Doctor Bahn. Good news David: YOU DO NOT HAVE PROSTATE CANCER."

Ok, I have received the news twice. I saw with my own two eyes as Dr. Bahn pointed out to me the 2 suspicious spots that could be cancerous tumors. I knew it was cancer; I just knew it- BUT IT WASN'T. From Dr. Kawatchi (City of Hope), and from the Doctor that HE wanted me to go to.

"David, I want you to get a PSA test every 3 months and I want to see you again in 6 months" Dr. Bahn said.

So sports fans, no surgery, radiation etc. My plan? Continue and increase my exercise, very little if any animal fat. Consume only food that God put on this earth: out of the ground, off the tree, and has gills. Plenty of Olive oil & Selenium all washed down with pomegranate juice. Oh yeah, some wine too! The most important thing: PRAY.

So, I guess this is my Good Bye to YANA.** I will continue to study PC and will be here to mentor if needed.

Your friend, David.

 

UPDATED

February 2009

 

 

David hasn't given much of an update, but mentioned in passing on a Forum posting:

My last color doppler was negative on October. I'm now scheduled for my 3 month PSA check. The last reading was 4.7 with a negative DRE.

 

UPDATED

June 2009

 

 

Well my friends, here we go again.

PSA in Feb. 2009: 4.77; PSA a couple of days ago: 7.07, free PSA 3.38%. Doesn't sound good I know. DRE negative. I don't want to sound negative, but "watchful waiting" may be over.

I see Dr. Bahn in Ventura CA on June 11 at 1 pm for the color Doppler ultrasound. Hopefully he can clear me again.

In the meantime, my local Uro has a "gut feeling" that it may be an infection so he put me on CIPRO, an antibiotic. At this point in the game, I don't know what to do but just wait until the 11th.

Thanks Terry for all you've done.

Later: Just had my Color Doppler Ultrasound with Dr. Duke Bahn in Ventura, CA. ASAP is what he called it. "No change." However, the CIPRO appears to be bringing my PSA down.

Back to the grind. "Watchful Waiting" for the future...good..

Dave's e-mail address is: dmart50493@yahoo.com

**NOTE: I HAVE TOLD DAVE THAT THIS HAD BETTER NOT BE A GOOD BYE TO YANA - WE ALL WANT TO KNOW ABOUT HIS LACK OF PROGRESS FOR THE NEXT TEN OR TWENTY YEARS!