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David T and Nancy live in Michigan, USA. He was 50 when he was diagnosed in April 2007. His PSA was 4.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was HDR mono brachytherapy. Here is his story:

Going in for HDR mono brachytherapy on Monday 8/6/07.

Elevated PSA led to a visit to Urologist, Biopsy resulted in diagnosis, told to go to surgeon and have prostatectomy. Went to surgeon, after much Internet research and asked why not radiation or other form rather than surgery. His comment was to schedule me an appointment that day with radiation oncologist.

After much deliberation am going with HDR and will not look back.

To make matters worse my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer three days after my diagnosis and has had surgery and her first round of chemo was two days ago.

What a fucked up summer.

Later

Had brachy treatments Monday and Tuesday, two treatments each day. Wasn't too bad, got a little nausea from the narcotic. No pain, nice nurses. Only one night in the hospital. Sent home with a pile of prescriptions. Now I know how old people feel trying to keep their meds straight.

I go back in two weeks for a follow up (same day as Nancy's 2nd round of chemo)

One day a time.

 

UPDATED

August 2007

 

 

So its been about ten days since my treatment. The first several days I was just tired, but I am now back to work and feeling good. Everything is working just fine. Have scrips for urinary frequency and ED; have not had an issue with either.

So far I couldn't be happier with my decision and would highly recommend this as a treatment option. I think the most difficult part of all this is that there are so many different options to choose between. I feel fortunate that I was encouraged by both my urologist (surgeon) and radiation oncologist to take my time and find the treatment that was right for me. My advice to anyone in this situation is to take as much time as you need to get opinions and educated from a urologist or two as well as a radiation oncologist or two. Google prostate cancer treament options. Then determine what is right for you.

 

UPDATED

January 2008

 

 

So it's been six months since my treatment. Time has a way of zooming by. To make a long story short PSA has declined to 2.6, in line with expectations. I have had no side effects at all. If I didn't know I wouldn't know. Now it's just a waiting game like everybody else, hoping to continue a gradual decline in PSA, and hoping it doesn't rise in the future. My wife is done with both her chemo and radiation, so things are looking a lot better today then they were six months ago. Everything is good.

 

UPDATED

January 2009

 

 

Had the following PSA levels the last four quarters

2.1 ; 1.8 ; 1.5 ; 1.6

Saw the radiation oncologist last week (I switch every quarter between the urological oncologist and the radiation oncologist), everything is pretty normal as far as my PSA levels. A steady rise over a few quarters would be a concern, but a bounce is fairly common with HDR brachytherapy. An increase next quarter would not be a concern. I don't dwell on it.

I haven't experienced any E.D. and sleep through most nights. I have some urinary frequency largely depending on my caffeine and alcohol intake, but not enough to quit either.

I don't advocate one treatment option over another, but I am happy with the decision I made.

 

UPDATED

April 2010

 

 

Not much to say, which is a good thing.

The last five quarters have been 1.5; 1.0; 0.9; 0.7; 0.7.

I have no symptoms to speak of and will now have my PSA done on a six month basis rather than on the quarters.

David's e-mail address is: mijac@aol.com