Gym
Hog-it lives in Idaho, USA. He was 54 when he was diagnosed in June 2004. His
initial PSA was 5.02 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 9 and he was staged T3NOMX.
His choice of treatment was retro radical prostatectomy. Here is his story.
For
several years I'd had decreased urinary function and strange, severe cramps in
my anal area. My doctor said that my prostate was slightly enlarged but nothing
to worry about.
In 2003 I retired at moved to Idaho. The move delayed
my annual exam by about six months. During my first digital exam with the new
doctor he said "Oh - that has to come out!" He felt a rough lump on my prostate
indicating that the cancer had broken out of the capsule. My urologist agreed.
I had a biopsy (24 samples, 20 of which were malignant with Gleason of 9), a bone
scan (clear), a CT scan (unremarkable) and a test called ProstaScint (unremarkable.)
I took Casodex and Lupron before surgery. The doctor said that nerve-sparing would
not be recommended. Had the surgery on Sept 14, 2004.
Volume of the prostate
was 34.7cc with a positive apical margin and multi-focal capsular penetration.
Seminal vesicles and lymph nodes were clear.
I had external radiation
treatment after healing, ending on Feb 28, 2005 with treatment on 39 out of 55
days and a total dose of 7020 cGY.
I am happy with my mild incontinence
- I cut a "man guard" pad in half and it lasts all day. The radiation affected
my bowel habits - two to five bms per day with loose stools and very little "lead
time".
PSA stayed below 0.1 for 40 months and then began to rise. I am
six months into an eight month regimen of Lupron. I think it is making me fat
and lazy. My PSA is back down below 0.01.
I have total erectile dysfunction.
Tried oral pills (nothing), the pump (gross), Muse (a pill you stick up the urethra,
painful.) What does the trick is something call "Trimix" - you inject 100mm directly
into the side of the penis. Sounds terrible, but it works.
Life is good.
Gym's
e-mail address is: weliveintwinfalls@juno.com
