George
Busch and Diane live in Arizona USA. He was 68 when he was diagnosed in March,
2008. His initial PSA was 0.6 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3=3+6 and he was staged
T1c. His choice of treatment was Proton Beam. Here is his story.
I
was diagnosed in March of 2008.
My PSA has always been below one but the
Urologist I was seeing for BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) felt my prostate
was a little firm and had some ridges during a routine DRE (Digital Rectal Examination).
We waited three months and he did another PSA and DRE. Same results on exam, PSA
was 0.5
A biopsy confirmed cancer on two of twelve samples. MRI and bone
scan revealed no cancer out of capsule. I started my research on the internet
and had decided on seed implants. I went to a US-TOO meeting and spoke with a
man who had Proton Beam eight years ago. He gave me some literature from Loma
Linda University. After reading the literature and also reading stories from other
men who had chosen Proton Beam I made my decision.
At that time Loma Linda
was not taking any new patients as they were upgrading some of their equipment.
I called MD Anderson and was told they had a backlog and could not see me for
the initial consultation until November. Fortunately for me University of Florida
Proton Institute in Jacksonville was able to get me in for my initial consultation
sooner.
I started my treatment on August 26th 2008 (Our 36th wedding anniversary
so I will never forget where I was on that day) I received 39 treatment and finished
on October 17th 2008. Before treatment I had been taking Finasteride and I was
aware it had a tendency to lower PSA, as my pre treatment result was 0.4 and my
post treatment PSA was 2.1 I had not taken Finasteride for about three months
as they did not want to take a chance on prostate shrinking any more after moulds
were made
My three month follow-up DRE normal and PSA 1.8 I had my six
month follow-up today and PSA has dropped to 0.3 I will have one at nine months
and another at 1 year. I will post results at that time.
I have not had
any major side effects as of this date. Plumbing still works with the help of
one Flomax daily (I had BPH before treatment) - no incontinence, still able to
enjoy sex
George George's e-mail address is: geebusch@cox.net
