YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Gerry Piwowarczyk and Laura live in Illinois, USA . He was 57 when he was diagnosed in April, 2009. His initial PSA was 10.4 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he says he was staged T2a, this seems to be his pathological staging - his clinical staging was likely T1c. His choice of treatment was Robotic Surgery. Here is his story.

My PSA score had been increasing regularly for some time. In April 2009, my urologist did a biopsy and two of the samples came back positive for cancer. One of them was less than 5%; the other approximately 20%. Needless to say, I was devastated at the diagnosis. It was a most difficult time for me. However, my fiancée, Laura, proved to be my saving grace. With her love and support, we researched the cancer and the options for treatment. My doctor recommended surgery to remove the prostate. I was at first uncomfortable with that because of the side affects of erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

I had a second opinion at the University of Chicago. That doctor told me to watch and wait. My doctor laughed out loud at that opinion as did his colleagues. After getting my head on straight, I decided that it would be best to get rid of the cancer as soon as possible rather than wait. I would deal with the side affects as they came. Knowing the cancer would be gone was my first priority. I toyed with the idea of radiation but did not feel comfortable with that treatment due to the possibility of not getting all the cancer plus the long term side affects can be much worse.

I had robotic surgery on June 22, 2009. It took about 4 hours. This was longer than usual because of the stomach fat my surgeon had to go through. However, he took out the prostate and some surrounding tissue and told me "we got it all". I came home from the hospital the next evening with a catheter and abdominal drain. Pain is minimal, mostly confined to the abdomen where the small incisions were made. The plug is to be removed on Thursday after the surgery and the catheter 8 days after the surgery.

After going through the decision-making process and reading a lot of material, I find that the surgery was really my only option. I am glad the cancer is gone. I don't have to worry about a recurrence and my medications have been reduced. No more Avodart or Doxazosin. I think the key is to do your research and become comfortable with YOUR decision. It takes a while, or at least it did for me. A good reference book is by Dr. Patrick Walsh, Guide To Surviving Prostate Cancer. It goes into detail about choosing a treatment and the side affects of each treatment.

I need to thank Doctor Brandt, my surgeon. I put my trust in his expertise. Knowing he would be doing the surgery helped a lot. You need to trust your doctor after you have made your decision. If you go with surgery, make sure the surgeon has had a lot of experience. Dr. Brandt has done over 200 of these procedures and is highly respected in his field. I was fortunate to have access to him.

Lastly, but most important, I need to thank Laura. She has been a rock through this. Her love, knowledge, patience and presence has proven to be my most effective medicine and treatment.

 

UPDATED

July 2009

 

 

A week after the surgery, I saw my doctor. He indicated that he thought we had gotten all the cancer. The margins were clear and the lymph nodes looked cancer-free. Howwever, he also said that my biopsy came back with a Gleason score of 9, which indicates a more aggressive form of cancer. Pre-surgery, it was a 6. This was rather disconcerting news. I had the surgery under the impression that I would be cancer-free afterwards. The doctor has said there is a possibility there may have some cancer in the blood stream but we will not know until I have a PSA test in another 2 months. I need to heal and let nature take its course regarding my PSA levels. A blood test too soon after surgery will not be accurate.

Since that time, Laura and I have decided to get a 2nd opinion on the pathology. We sent the slides to Sloan-Ketttering Cancer Center. We have not heard anything as of this date.

Physically, I feel great. The incisions are healing and I have no pain. Since the catheter was removed 8 days after surgery, I have been wearing pads for the incontinence. I go through about 4-6 pads per day. It is fine when I am sitting or laying. When I walk or get up from sitting, some leakage occurs. My doctor has indicated there is some medication that would help, but I have decided to put off taking anything until I see the doctor in 2 weeks. The ED has been an issue. No "natural" erections. However, I have used injections to achieve an erection. They do not last as long as they used to, but the injections help. I think the jury is still out as to how much I will be affected by the surgery. I have been able to have orgasms but they are accompanied by some leakage.

Overall, I feel great and am confident that I am cancer-free. I am eating healthy. No red meat, lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise. Laura has been a stablizing force throughout this entire process and continues to be. She is the most powerful medicine I can have.

 

UPDATED

October 2009

 

 

Just got the results of my first PSA test since having my prostate removed. It was less than .01 which indicates I am cancer free. This is the result of a combination of many things. I had a great surgeon. But I also had incredible support from Laura, my soon-to-be wife. With her help, I changed my eating habits, got acupuncture, did castor oil treatments, had Reiki done on me, and read many positive thinking books. The integrative approach works. I began treating the disease, rather than just the symptoms. I truly believe that is what has helped me get to where I am today.

I cannot stress enough the importance of staying informed and integrating mind, soul and body into the healing process. I never could have done this without Laura. I owe her my life, literally. She helped educate me on how to make life-long changes in my eating and thinking. These changes can make a difference in your life too.

Gerry's e-mail address is: geraldpiwowarczyk@yahoo.com