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PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

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George Fair and Debbi live in Pennsylvania, USA. He was 61 when he was diagnosed on March 7, 2008. His initial PSA was 3.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he does not state his staging, it seems he would have been staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Laparoscopic Robotic Surgery. Here is his story.

My father had a Radical prostatectomy in 1993 with a PSA of 20. He has survived 15 years; so I have a great deal of hope. My father-in-law also had prostate cancer and died of prostate cancer in 1990 with the last two years pure hell.

I've been watching my PSA every years and recently every 6 months.

Last May my PSA was 2.4 In Oct went to 2.7. I was referred to a urologist and another exam and PSA test. This time it was Jan 08 and now PSA was 3.1. Biopsy was ordered and had 12 samples drawn. Got a phone call that 8 of the 12 samples were positive. 1 core 50%; 1core 40%; 2cores 30%; 3 Cores 10%. After picking myself off the floor after the doctor called we cried, held each other and said "Lets get to work." I waited a day or so and headed to the library and did all of my research so I had three pages of questions.

After talking to doctors about the robotic surgery we decided to have it done as soon as possible. I asked to have it a soon as possible so this coming Tuesday morning the robotic surgery is being done.

If I've learned one thing its that everyone's experience is different. So no matter what I expect it may not be. We'll take it one step at a time and I have really had to stop and put it all in perspective. I can't worry about ED or incontinence or anything else if I don't rid myself of the cancer and move on. A supportive wife of 40 years is with me and my family. What more could I want. I will get back to the update in a few days or weeks depending. This site has been a tremendous help and I look forward to coming back in a little bit.

 

UPDATED

May 2008

 

 

Two weeks post op today. We met with the Surgeon today. The catheter was removed and my pathology report showed no cancer anywhere outside the prostate. Were we relieved to hear that.

There were however two large tumors present; so it was good thing I made my decision so quickly to have the surgery.

I feel almost 100% and looking forward to the future .Can't tell you what a great support this site has been.

Looking forward to posting my follow up PSA readings in a little while.

 

Later:

It is now three weeks since my surgery. Updated Gleason Score is 3+3 =6 What it was originally. Approx 30% of prostate was involved with tumor on both left and right. Margins all negative. No extension. Vas deferens and seminal vesicles without change. Pathological stage pT2c (originlly T1c). So it looks like my surgeon removed all the bad stuff.

I have been continent since the catheter was removed a week ago.A little leakage occasionally when someone surprises me and I laugh.

The ED problem I was worried about is coming along slowly , but it is coming along. We just decided not to focus on one item and just let things take their course. I have healed very quickly and was able to have a sexual encounter the day after the catheter was removed. Being intimate has renewed our relationship of over 40 yrs. More than I could have imagined. Seems to me I am one of the lucky ones. Only time will tell.

My surgeon credits my quick recovery to being in tremendous shape and mostly because of my mental focus and outlook. I'll have to take his word for that. He said my body has healed like that of someone 25. That I find hard to believe. All the more reason to lead a healthy lifestyle. It has sure made a believer of me.

 

UPDATED

February 2009

 

 

It has now been 9 months. PSA is less than .01.

We still struggle with ED. Everything I read tells me the nerves will come back between 1 to 2 years. Levitra my drug of choice helps, but the side effects : headaches and heartburn are killers.

Due to go back for the 1 year checkup. Hopefully this PSA will be the sama as last.

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

Coming up on three years since my surgery.[Two years, surely?]

PSA has been undetectable since the surgery. No real ED problems. We settled on Levitra as a drug of choice. I use less than 2.5 mg on occasion. Sometimes I don't need any drugs and some times just a small amount will do the trick. I had nerve sparing and as yet the nerves have not really come back to where I thought they would be. Maybe it will not get any better than it is now, but this is a lot more than I ever expected. I don't take sex for granted.

Its been a real journey and maybe I am one of the luckier ones. My Dad has his cancer in the early 90's and I wish the surgery I chose had been his choice. He is now 86 and as of now cancer free. Had a brother with PC that chose robotic and he is cancer free after two years.

George's e-mail address is: zoph3388@verizon.net