David Clay and Wendy live in Victoria, Australia. He was 63 when he was diagnosed
in May, 2006. His initial PSA was 4.1. ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and although
he does not state his staging it appears that it would have been T1c. His choice
of treatment was Surgery. Here is his story:
I
was resident in USA for two years and had no postive PSA readings of any concern,
last reading was below 0.2 ng/ml in Dec 2003.
In
November 2005, back in Australia thankfully for good, I had PSA of 3.1 ng/ml and
was put on "wait and watch". A PSA in February 2006 gave a reading of 3.6 ng/ml
and in May was 4.1 ng/ml.
I
saw urologist immediately and had biopsy within a week with results of Gleason
of 7. I was given choices of radical prostatectomy and radio therapy but when
offered these choices had already decided on surgery. This as a result of extensive
searches on Internet.
I
was prescribed with drug for reducing the size of prostate. I was advised that
I should step up my exercise routine but I was already walking 12 - 15 km most
weekends bushwalking so added to that a daily walk of at least one hour approx
5 km along the foreshore at Werribee South.
Surgery
on 21 July 2006 and then into intensive care originally until 25th before going
to room, fortunate I had insurance. However by 10.00 a.m. I was feeling so fed
up lying in that bed, I got up even with all the tubes hanging out of me and stood
looking out of the window. I was "caught" by one of the nurses and within the
hour was out of intensive care.
No
difficulties over the next few days, with tubes to arm and drain tubes removed.
Offered leg bag to increase mobility. At last able to have shower. Magic. Short
walks around the corridors at first then down stairs using the stairs to get newspaper
and have a cup of decent coffee in the small coffee bar.
Out
early on the morning of 26 July. Catheter a problem but found that incontinence
pad as pants then covered by normal jocks immobilised the point where the catheter
was inserted and prevented any chafing etc. Also when going for a walk I would
attach a pair of braces to the jocks which made walking a lot easier. Very important
the pelvic floor muscles exercised even though this may delay the healing of the
joining of the urethra. Catheter removed after four weeks due to this and onto
wearing pads. More exercising of the pelvic floor meant by day 2 after catheter
out I was dry at night, and dependance on pads decreasing rapidly over the next
few days. Able to have almost full control except if I suddenly bend down etc
then there might be a slight leakage.
I was glad I had surgery and not
radio therapy. A friend of some 50 years returned from UK approx two weeks ago
after the funeral of his brother, who at the age of 67 underwent radio therapy.
He had Gleason of 6. Prostate cancer cured but he died 6 months later from aggressive
cancers caused by the radio therapy, colon and bladder cancers. The true affects
of radio therapy are still not understood and the residual effects vary from person
to person. He was unlucky to be affected by the radio therapy.
Pathology
report showed complete removal of cancer rating Gleason 7. Urologist considers
that I should be completely cured ???
Now
in early December, I am no longer incontinent even when lifting which was the
most problematic time. However after a few beers etc I might still have an issue
as muscles relax. I am regularily walking generally twice a day at least 4 km
each time.
Some
signs of erections returning without the aid of drugs and more important the sensitivity
is returning.
It
is now June 2007. I have had a new lease of life and in March went to China for
three months to teach English as a Second Language. A very interesting and challenging
experience being based in Wuhan known as the hell hole of China. 40C during the
day and 39C at night. No escape from the heat or the rampant pollution.
Whether
it was the change in living I do not know but erctions have definitely started
to return and Wendy has been pleased. Whilst one will have a climatic experience
there are no emissions as expected but it is a wonderful feeling to be able to
fully love again.
No
incontinence at all and rarely if ever wake up in the night due to a feeling of
a full bladder.
All
is well.
Now
12 months later and no effects. Fit enough to start full time work once more even
at 65. Still walk a lot and now some cycling.
I
went through a period of low exercise due to having an office job in front of
a computer all day and a certain amount of incontinence started but getting the
fitness back solved that problem.
I
did have a little set back, one of the staples managed to find is way into the
bladder causing a bladder stone. Made it difficult to pass urine unless I had
been lying down for approx 15 minutes. A short operation with ultrasonic blasting
got rid of the stone but thinking now that was the time that a little incontinence
set in. Now cured as previously mentioned.
I
see no reason not to live a normal life for someone of my age.
Dave's
e-mail address is: davclay@gmail.com
