Gene
C and Nancy live in Arkansas, USA. He was 54 when he was diagnosed in June, 2009.
His initial PSA was 4.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c.
His choice of treatment was Watch & Wait - Active Surveillance. Here is his story.
He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.
Wow!
What a devastating word cancer can be! I have a yearly check-up in June of each
year and it was surprising to get a follow-up call this year to come back in to
talk to the doctor again. He told me my PSA had gone over 4 and that I had to
go see a urologist.
The next week I was informed that I had to have a
biopsy. Damn! My blood pressure and cholesterol have been out of whack for a few
years, but this was not what I wanted to hear! Had the biopsy (why don't they
tell you how weird those side effects are!) and a week later found out I had one
sample that came back at 5% positive.
Spent several sleepless nights running
the full range of emotions...Read everything I could for the next week on prostate
cancer. The urologist I went to wanted to cut it out immediately! I would be cured!
But at what price! I decided to get a second opinion.
Went to another
urologist who was VERY straightforward and I thought a true professional. My wife
went with me and thinks he might be the best doctor ever! Anyway, I was presented
with several options. I decided to do the Watchful Waiting or Active Management.
Just checked my PSA in December and it stayed the same. My urologist told me that
I need to come back in 6 months instead of 3. I am feeling good about it, but
I know that the war is not over yet!
It is very encouraging to hear more
and more reports that this early stage prostate cancer is probably being over
treated most of the time.
Gene's e-mail address: mustang_gene@hotmail.com
