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Gregg and Kerry Morrison's Story - Original Story dated 01 June 1999

WEBMASTER'S NOTE: KERRY AND GREGG MORRISON DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND RAN THIS YANA SITE FOR MANY YEARS. IT WOULD NOT HAVE COME INTO EXISTENCE AND WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED WITHOUT ALL THE HARD WORK THEY PUT IN. WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY GRATEFUL TO THEM.

I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband Gregg. I am 57 and Gregg is 71. We've been together for 31 years. Gregg was diagnosed in May 1991, and had an Radical Prostatectomy in February 1992 at the age of 61, in Concord Hospital, Sydney. During his pre-surgery visit to his specialist Urologist, I asked if he would like me to go with him for the visit, to try to understand what to expect after the surgery. I was amazed at the Uro’s total disinterest in me, the wife. He dismissed my questions as irrelevant. He had no time for me - and the little time he spent with Gregg, left him with more questions and fears than before.

During the 10 months' lead-up to surgery to ensure that no further cancer cells could spread outside the Prostate gland, Gregg was given the "anti" hormone “Zoladex” by means of an implant in the skin of his abdomen. This drug arrested the production of the naturally-produced hormone Testosterone, which of course is vital for men to have a continual supply of if they are to experience the feelings of wellness, coping and happiness. Gregg stopped his 30 cigarettes-a-day smoking habit just before the surgery This really helped in his recovery.

During this period on hormones, Gregg was often in a depressed and melancholy state - a side affect of the Zoladex, together with the thought of the impending surgery. The depression continued for 6 years and is still a problem today, now and then he struggles to lessen the boredom in his life. He does not rest easy in retirement.

For about 4 years after the surgery, life was a series of painful experiences as we struggled to regain the very close friendship and love we had enjoyed before that terrible diagnosis. Our sex life was no more. This meant that there were no nerves in the prostate area to tell the penis when to become erect, and the lack of Testosterone production made Gregg feel dead inside. That is, no libido, no anticipation. Gregg suffered a heart attack in July 1994 and again in September 1996. His bones are now weakened by osteoporosis from the harsh medications.

We connected to the Internet late in 1996 and went searching for sites to learn more about Prostate Cancer. The information was abundant, but always slanted towards orthodox medical and surgical treatments. We regret not having a site like YANA to turn to. At least we might have had some other options to look at, before Gregg was forced to have the surgery. It seems the drugs he was required to take over the years since have produced more health problems than perhaps might have been.

The hardest thing, for us, since 1992 has been the loss of sexual closeness, which for a long while greatly diminished the communication between us. This became a source of great sadness, frustration and despair for both of us. Any woman who has been through this experience will understand what its like to flounder along, trying to be nurse one minute and understanding wife the next, while the strong supportive wonderful partner is struggling to regain what he believes he has lost forever - his sense of being whole again.

|Update July 1998| Since surgery in February 1992 (8 years have passed!) Gregg's PSA had remained at a level between 0.1 to 0.4 until this month! when it suddenly rose to 0.7 (verified twice to eliminate testing errors).

We returned to the surgeon who simply was not terribly interested in outcomes - he prescribed 6 more months of harsh hormone implants which only served to make Gregg ill, depressed and dreadfully unhappy - yet again. He was very disappointed at having to commence hormone treatment of Androgen Blockade, which involved 3 months of Androcur and 9 months of Zoladex implants. His PSA dropped back to <0.1, but his quality of life had deteriorated! He recently discovered some painful stones in the right kidney (a side effect of Androcur) and spent several painful weeks getting some treatment to dissolve them.

|Update October 1999| Gregg is now clear of side effects from the hormones and has made the decision to try to optimise his health by going the natural therapy path, including a change of diet and getting lots more fresh air. Here is a new site which is all about Natural Therapies: Health Promotions International Pty Ltd which was recommended by fellow Aussies and we are grateful for their contribution to our continuing search for good health and longevity. We now look forward to a much happier future, stress-free and taking it easy. Gregg is still needing to take drugs for Blood Pressure and Arthritis, but compared with what he has put up with for the last 8 years - he's 'almost' laughing! Gregg is checking around for a Herbal Testosterone Supplement (if such a thing exists) to try and boost his energy levels and regain some normal 'life be in it' feelings. Doctor's appointment on Thursday, 18 November will decide outcome.

We especially look forward to meeting through the YANA Prostate Cancer Support Group, lots of newly-diagnosed people, whom we can help to see a clear road ahead, and travel down it without fear.

[Update June 2000] Here we are 9 months since the last update. PSA's have all continued to be lower than 0.4; Gregg continues to maintain a 'watchful waiting' regime now, with attention to diet (losing weight is very important for overall health); depression is still a problem - but life is easier this year. Pain is something one lives with, and he seems to have some osteoarthritis which nags away at him every day. We enjoyed our 25th Wedding Anniversary in May and are looking forward to the Olympic Games, a trip to see our children in October and a summer filled with laughter and positive events. You can cry about misfortune only so long!

[Update 19 November 2000] After continuing low PSA's, Gregg's health is improving quite outstandingly. He is having mild testosterone injections twice a month which is helping to boost his energy levels. He is much happier in himself, and becoming more productive as his well being improves. He still gets an occasional heart pain, but we are keeping an eye on that, by regular visits to his local doctor to monitor the blood pressure. He still needs to lose some weight but that will happen, given time. We are looking forward to Christmas and the celebration of 100 years of Federation in Australia. Maybe we will even have a Republic soon!

[5 February 2001] Gregg Morrison was diagnosed in May 1991. He has now reached a milestone in surviving Prostate Cancer surgery and the difficult treatment regimes. He is now 10 years post diagnosis. He joins a fairly unique group of PCa Survivors/ His current PSA this week - 0.5. Approaching his 70th birthday in June 2001.

[Update 21 November 2001] . I am maintaining good health and have reduced my weight slightly. My latest PSA was 0.7 in October 01, but there are no symptoms that would indicate a flare-up of any malignancy. I continue to have monthly testosterone injections and am presently negotiating with my medical prescriber to assist me in trialing a drug called DHEA for short - an explanation is here - Dehydroepiandrosterone - to improve my sense of physical and emotional well-being.

[Update 12 April 2004]Gregg is now 73 and it is 13 years since his diagnosis. Here is his update:

My health continues to be reasonably well controlled and following yet another heart stent last year, I have been able to decrease my medication intake, but unfortunately my arthritis still needs attention and thus my weight remains a problem because of its required control.

My PCa appears a thing that belongs in the dark past, but it has a terrible effect on my wife and my own life style as the result of the surgery. Had I had the information then as is now available on sites like this I would have chosen differently. But that is now of 13 years ancient history, and I am a survivor and I continue to have my injection of testosterone each 3 weeks that makes me feel human. Ten years ago my demand to have this treatment was met with horror, and the dire warnings that my body would be invaded by metastasis has not as yet eventuated.

|Update 5 May 2005|Gregg is now 74 and his PSA is 6.00 ng/ml. Here is what he has to say:

It is now 14 years since my surgery. If you look at my current PSA score you may think "He has an active tumour!" This has caused my medical team a lot of concern, and I have had every possible type of examination over the past couple of months. No evidence of any cancer activity can be found from X-Ray, CAT Scan, MRI or numberous blood tests.

In reading my previous "story", you will note that I was having regular testosterone injections over many years. I had them to deal with my osteoporosis. This developed as the result of the androgen blockade treatment I had been subjected to. There was always the fear that the injections would result in a reactivation of the cancer. This appears to have been quite wrong, but they have suspended my testosterone treatment to see if there is any further increase in my PSA score.

I'll get back to you all next year.

|Update June 2006|

Having now survived 15 years since my diagnosis and undergone various treatments regimes, I have now joined the group of PCa survivors that have adopted "Watchful Waiting" as their method of coping with their condition.

Over the past couple of years my PSA has had a random variation from 3 ng/ml to 7 ng/ml. My result this month is at 6 ng/ml.

I now have a new Urologist and we had a total review of my past history today.

We looked at all options available and it has been decided that the most appropriate action for me is to take no action and review my situation in 6 months time. I have no symptoms of any tumor growth anywhere in my body and my general health is quite normal for my age.

Gregg's e-mail address is ozmorrie@bigpond.net.au

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