David Reynolds and Anne live in Texas, USA. He was 59 when he was diagnosed on
April 8, 2008. His initial PSA was 3.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was
staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Active Surveillance. Here is his story.
I went in for the biopsy after my PSA rose too much in the space of a
year (from about 2.7 to 3.8). A week later I got the news. I was angry and depressed,
but my wife has been a strong supporter. The urologist disclosed that the cancer
was present in 2 out of ten cores (5% and 15%) and a "nomogram" indicated a 29%
chance that it would be "indolent" and a 91% chance that I would die of something
else. Nevertheless, the urologist recommended surgery in the next 2-3 months.
My odyssey had begun. I consulted at least four more doctors in the next
month and read two books. The medical oncologist and the radiologist (both recommended
by the uro) recommended the surgery. Another surgeon, Randy Fagin, a specialist
in the Da Vinci robotic technique, was also unenthusiastic about watchful waiting.
Several of the doctors had recommended a surgeon at the Univ. of Texas Health
Science Center in San Antonio as being an expert in this geographic area (I am
in Austin). I finally got in to see Dr. Thompson and finally heard what I wanted
to hear. He strongly recommended Active Surveillance, along with the obligatory
diet and lifestyle changes. He says he has about 200 patients on Active Surveillance
and that only three of them have opted for treatment. He also acceded to my suggestion
that I take finasteride.
A year later, the finasteride has driven my PSA
down to 1.2, but probably masks a higher level. DREs (Digital Rectal Examinations)
are negative. He will put off my second biopsy until 2010. I will update after
that.
I am extremely happy with my decision to go on AS. I have improved
my diet but should do more. Surgery and side effects are depressing ideas. I appreciate
my family and my life style more since I caught this life-threatening disease.
David's
e-mail address is: xdreynolds@aol.com
