YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

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Gregory Williams and Carithia live in Virginia, United States . He was 62 when he was diagnosed on April 24, 2008. His initial PSA was 5.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 9 and although he says he was T2b, this seems to be his pathological staging - his clinical staging was most likely T1c. His choice of treatment was Da Vinci RP. Here is his story.

I am an African American (I prefer black). I have been getting a PSA test for the last ten or more years. In June'07 my PSA was 3.6. I was late in getting it checked, I usually do it every January. I would have changed the schedule to June, but something made me decide to keep my January schedule.

In January '08 my PSA was 5.9. I had a biopsy in April with the result of a Gleason Score of 9. The CT and bone scans were negative. With a Gleason of 9 and being black, I decided to waste no time and had the earliest possible Da Vinci surgery in July of '08. All the margins were negative, but there was some microscopic cancer cells in the seminal vesicles.

Six weeks later my post operation PSA is a 0.79 biochemical failure. I am now debating my next steps. My Urologist recommends a strong dose of Chemo, I have yet to talk with at least two prominent oncologists I have lined up.

Later: Since my first post I now have two updates.

First, my post operation staging is officially T3bNOMX (pT3NOMX). I have sceduled appointments this September with two prominent Oncologist. My Urologist has put me on Casodex and Lupron in the interm. In some ways I feel very lucky. I have no cancer in my lymph nodes or bones and my post surgery pathology report showed no positive margins.

But, alas, here I sit with a 0.79 PSA. When I find myself thinking this way I kick myself in the butt and move on to positive thinking, it works, most of the time. An uncertain future has a way of creeping back into mind. My surgery was non nerve sparing, so I spend time thinking of impotence (especialy with the hormone sugery added to the mix).

It is what it is and I am alive, with a possible great future ahead, I'm continent, and that's another blessing. I think back to what an old business colleague of mine used to say every day "It's a great life, if you don't weaken".

 

UPDATED

October 2008

 

 

October 18, 2008: So, I went to see Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myers on September 18th 2008. He added Avodart and Ursodiol to the Casodex and Lupron my Urologist had already started me on. He also added several new vitamins to my growing arsenal, and asked me to make an appointment with the Dattoli Center in Sarasota Florida as a backup for radiation therapy.

On September 2nd 2008 six weeks after my operation my PSA was 0.79. On October 14th. My PSA on Hormone Therapy was <0.1. A good sign.

I'm keeping my appointment with the Dattoli Center in January on the books, just in case.

 

UPDATED

March 2009

 

 

Just got back from Sarasota, Fl. Spent nine weeks there for Radiation Therapy at the Dattoli Cancer Center. The wife and I turned it into a winter vacation, which made it all really rather enjoyable.

I went five days a week, the first week was mainly tests and preparation, the actual treatments took about 15 minutes a day and the rest of the day was free time. They offered Tuesday evening meetings for all participants, with topics ranging from nutrition to dosymetry. The real benefit however, was meeting and talking with all of the people from all over who had made their way to Dattoli. Like me, each had a horror story of missed diagnosis and bad advice from Urologist and Oncologist that bordered on criminal. It was only by my own investigation that I was able to find Dr. Snuffy Myers who eventually sent me to Dr. Dattoli for a second chance at a cure.

I feel a lot better having these two doctors as my primary Cancer Physcians. I know that there is a chance that I will not be cured with the radiation, but knowing I took the bull by the horns and gave it my best shot makes me feel I am doing all I can to help myself, with the best doctors I can find. Another good thing, I don't have to take another PSA test for six months, until the radiation effects have subsided! What a relief, if only temporary, from the worry and anticipation of those monthly PSA test results. I feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted off my back!

I go back to Dattoli in October for a follow-up and a PSA test. This should be a good time to take the PSA, since I will also be off hormone therapy by then. I suffered no ill side effects from the radiation and was able to maintain my daily regimen with the exception of certain vitamins and supplements while in treatment.

The good news is even if the radiation does not provide a cure, I have other options for remission with Dr. Myers, and the wife and I had a wonderful time in the sunshine of Florida.

Greg.

 

UPDATED

April 2009

 

 

Just a follow-up. Dr. Dattoli told me I should wait six months before getting my next PSA test. This was fine with me since the anxiety of test outcomes is a real stresser for me.

My local Urologist wanted me to get a PSA in 3 months, to get an early jump on any PSA rise. The tie breaker was Dr.Snuffy Myers who surprised me by agreeing with my Urologist.

So now it looks as if I will only get a 3 months respite from the tyranny of the PSA test.

 

UPDATED

June 2009

 

 

Well, I went and got my PSA yesterday. Got the results today, had the results at 11:00am, but could not bring myself to look at them till 3:00pm. I hate the anxiety and anticipation. After all, it's not like I'm opening up a present.

This was my first PSA since January, so six months has passed. Good news!! PSA was <0.01. What a relief! I have family coming late June through the 4th. of July. I could just see myself being in some PSA funk while they were here.

I have really found my Spiritual footing of late, it seems that ever day I learn something about my faith and myself. It's a wonderful feeling, I'm far from it now, but I feel serenity coming.

Greg

 

UPDATED

October 2009

 

 

September 5th 2009 ended my one year of hormones. I did gain weight aroud my middle and I did get hot flashes, but both were tolerable.

I met with Dr. Snuffy Myers on September 30th 2009 and got a clean bill of health. I then had a six month follow-up with Dr. Dattoli on October 2nd., with complete pelvic scans and color doppler. NO DETECTION OF ANY CANCER!

So for now I will consider myself cancer free, knowing full well that some cancer cells may be lurking elsewhere and could start to grow at any time. We cross that bridge if we reach it. Right now I savor this moment.

Dr. Snuffy added to new supplements to my daily intake:

Resveratrol@250mg daily

Biocurcumin@400mg daily

I feel great, and I am grateful that I have two of the best doctors in the field monitoring my continued cancer free health. I see both of them again in six months.

 

UPDATED

February 2010

 

 

Well, so much for a cure. My PSA is no longer <0.01. In about 11 months (following radiation) it has gone to 0.03, more than double in less that a month January-February. Not good. I'm suppose to see my Doctor on March 31st,or sooner to map out the next steps I guess.

As disappointing as these results are, I keep faith that I will find something that will arrest this disease, and either cure it or turn it into a chronic condition that can be managed like blood pressure within my life time.

Curiously, I am not pessimistic or, for that matter, depressed. I feel great and somehow still look forward to a long, happy life. For whatever reason, all my life things have always worked out for the better in the long run. I'm not saying that everything has been perfect, far from it, but when I believe, miracles have happened.

Gregory's e-mail address is: gregory.williams3@worldnet.att.net