YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

PLATINUM

Eric Gamble and Patricia live in Canterbury, New Zealand. He was 70 when he was diagnosed in August 1994. His initial PSA was 19 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 4+5=9 and although he does not know his staging it seems likely from his narrative that he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Radiation (Linear accelerator). Here is his story.


Routine exam by GP with DRE November 1993 and referred to Urology O/P clinic (Urologist Dr Stuart Gowland Christchurch Public Hospital. From June 1994 to 16 August 1994 PSA tests, ultrasound of prostate and biopsy (6) revealed high grade prostate cancer was advise by urologist possible regional metastasis. Recommended urgent TURP (Trans Urethral Resection Procedure) carried our 4 October 1994 Histology confirmed initial diagnosis. Presented oncology department Dr. Chris Wynne Christchurch Public Hospital 2 Oct 1994 PSA 5.6 Bone scan 12 Dec 1994 - Clear. oncology planning session 13 December - CT Scan.

Commenced radiation 28 December 1994 - total 28 sessions last one on
23 Feb 1995 - PSA 8.6.

July 1995 PSA 7.0

October 1995 PSA 5.5

Jan 1996 PSA 3.8

PSA remained at optimum level until Jan 1998 when it increased to 4.8 with steady increases to June 1999 (PSA 13.4) and by Jan 2000 it reached high point of 20.5. Oncologist (Dr Wynne) recommended anti androgen hormone (Flutamide) 250mg x 3 per day and PSA showed rapid decrease - so by November 2000 PSA down to 1.6 - lowest PSA recorded was 11 Feb 2002 - my 78th birthday it was 0.90 .

Remained at low levels (average 1.8) until March 2004 Oncologist (Dr. Abdelaal) advised switch to Zoladex (injection) side effect (hot flushes - extreme) and unacceptable, refused second injection and back to Flutamide.

PSA again reduced to 1.0 by May 2004 - August 2004 PSA 6.0. Throughout 2005 PSA average 3.5 increasing to 6.1 Dec 2006 by December 2007 PSA 8.

Bone scan July 2008 Clear - PSA 7;

9 September 2008 PSA10.1 Bone scan December 2008 - Clear. General health - fair to good. Next PSA due March - oncology appointment April 2009.

I consider myself very fortunate to have lived so long after initial diagnosis, never considered treatment "a cure" but certainly a exceptional case of long remission.

Background: Born London, England 11 Feb 1924, younger of 2 sons, working class East End family. Father Tailor died 1974 aged 80 Mother died 1975 aged 79. Older Brother born1916 died 1975. No known family history of prostate cancer.
Served WW2, aircrew RAF, operational tour India/Burma 1944/45. Married 1946, 2 children, first born died SID 3 days. Second daughter living, 2 daughters, 1 granddaughter.

Emigrated to New Zealand 1954 RNZAF - aircrew 6 years then air Traffic services officer NZ CAA 26 years. retired aged 62. Married (2) 1956 - 3 Sons b NZ 1958 1961 1963 all in good health.


Religion - None (Atheist) Political affiliation: Democratic Socialist. Not particularly physically active - Hobbies: Playing Keyboard, Organ, Computer literate, Current affairs Humanism.

Appetite: very good, appreciate wide variety of all types of food. Non smoker past 40 years. Alcohol consumption relatively high age 18 - 60. Now 1 standard drink per day.

 

UPDATED

August 2009

 

 

Well some months gone by since my last post but still soldiering on.

I had a bad spell last three weeks of December 2008 due to bleeding in lower part of stomach but apparently unrelated to the cancer. Bone scans December while in CPH showed no metastases.

PSA reading 12.5 repeated Feb 9 DOWN to 10.4 - Up in March 11.1 and up again in June 13.0. Flutamide three per day maintained, PSA 11 August DOWN again to 12.

For the past 6 weeks and more severe pain left loin and both knees, Oncologist has another look at last 2 bone scans, confirms no evidence of spread but notes "General deterioration of skeletal structure due to age related arthritis"

Pain in left loin getting worse this past 10 days, on Codeine 60 mg per day plus Panadol x 8 daily provides some relief but concerned this is only masking cause of pain. Rib cage left side suspected, go for X-Ray of chest this day. Will post again later.

Best wishes to all.

 

UPDATED

October 2009

 

 

Last PSA check 14.3 up 3 on previous (6months) check. Ocologist check Sept 29th - have no significant bone pain, still very lethargic most of the day, but eat well and sleep well plus afternoon nap - nil desperandum! Can have quality or quantity of life, he tells me - mild depression from time to time with frequent severe headaches, take 8 Panadol a day (max) which helps a lot. Waterworks slowed up noticeably last 6 months thinking about asking for another TURP think it unlikely at my age - I'll be 86 in February next still, box on and hope to make 87.

Have been a member of Dignity Trust New Zealand (a Voluntary Euthanasia Group) which proposes a law change allowing for setting up of Dignity Havens which will offer a choice of Palliative Care or Ve with a quick exit. Took part in a short documentary on the subject - DVD turned out well and was well received by all that have seen it.

Anyone would like a copy please advise by e mail. DVD is free postage & packing NZ$6.00.

Cheers to all EG.

 

UPDATED

April 2010

 

 

PSA reading in Jan 2010 was 15.1 a steady increase from the 11.0 in March 2009, however a few days before scheduled clinic at CPH on April 6 last PSA registered 11.1 a marked decrease and approx the same as a year previous.

However my long term Ocologist Dr Chris Wynne is now only doing limited clinics at CPH and moved to St George's a private hospital here in Christchurch where they have installed 2 new Linear Accelerators. His Senior Registrar was not available and I was seen by a junion reg. who had obviously not studied my file (first question "Have you had a PSA check recently?" - "Yeah, right, it's on the top page of my file in your hand" Now I have got to be one of the longest survivors with my initial Gleason score of 4/5 and PSA of 19.1 and that 16 years ago at the age of 70 - I got the distinct impression from this young man of "Ho Hum, he's still here and looks fine off you go old man and see you in six months time"

So, I am looking well for my age and very appreciative of the treatment and care I have had over the years. Usual aches and pains of old age due to skeletal degeneration shown up in X rays; I also learned from my GP that one indicator of metastases to (leg) bones was a marked increase in blood phosphates (you can Google this one) [ This seems to be the PAP (prostatic acid phosphatase) an enzyme or biomarker secreted by prostate cells associated with a higher probability of disease outside the prostate when levels are 3.0 or higher; PAP elevations suggest that the disease is not OCD (organ confined diseaseand mine are well within limits. Dr Strum always recommends this test, but it is rarely done - see A Strategy Of Success in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer] I have also learned that a long term colleague in Civil Aviation has recently been diagnosed with advanced PC his PSA being over 1,200. I have encouraged him to put his story on this site. Am awaiting more news from him on his prognosis.

Will report again in six months.

Cheers all EG


Eric's e-mail address is: ezgamel@paradise.net.nz