YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

HP Lucas and Linda live in Yorktown Virginia. He was 58 when he was diagnosed in Feb. 2006. His initial PSA was 4.4 ng/mlI, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and he was staged T1c. His chopice of treatment was: Watchful Waiting. Here is his story:

Through normal annual physicals my GP recommended I visit a urologist when my PSA hit 5.07 ng/ml and my FreePSA was 15.5% in October of 2005.

I met with a urologist in Jan 2006. He recommended an 8 core biopsy which was done and the results came back on February 8,2006. The left mid had a 10% trace of adenocarcinoma in one of two cores with a Gleason score of 3+3=6. There was some high grade PIN in the left apex but nothing definitive.

After a 15 minute discussion I asked him what would he do and without hesitation he said he would have the prostate removed. Of course my head was still spinning from the news and especially his recommendation. He did say to take some time and to get back with me later. That is when I became my own doctor and did a lot of research.

I ended up contacting Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore,MD to schedule an appointment for a second opinion. They asked for the slides from my local urologist which were sent and they re-read them and came up with almost the same pathologist findings as the local urologist. There was a slight difference in the reading for one core which was in my favor.

I met with a well recommended doctor at Johns Hopkins on March, 2006. After his examination and consultation he said "that train is nowhere near pulling out of the station". In other words the cancer was very small and at the time was only creating some background noise. However, he also said those cancers can get aggressive but if I could live with an annual 12 core biopsy and a PSA every six months he would not recommend any radical treatment at the present time. I told him that worked for me.

The follow up biopsy in September 2006 came back with no change in the one done in January 2006. The PSA in March 2007 dropped to 4.94 ng/ml. I am currently scheduled for another biopsy in September 2007.

I exercise 5-6 days a week and have been very active for the past 27 years so circulation shouldn't be an issue. I am presently considering some additional supplements but haven't pulled the trigger just yet. I can't seem to get any one set of supplements recommended for prostate cancer patients. I have numerous to choose from and the common thread in them all is circulation- so since I do a ton of aerobic exercising I'm just wondering what if anything I should be taking. Advice is welcomed. Thank you!

H.P.Lucas

UPDATED

April 2008

 

 

After semi-annual PSA's and annual biopsies I decided to have my prostate removed. Reasons were as follows:

At age 61 and in excellent health (prostate not withstanding) I discussed with Dr. Arthur Burnett at Johns Hopkins the prospects of having to deal with my prostate over the next 3-5 years. His thinking, although I had no further detection of cancer cells from my biopsies but there were many suspecious cells-meaning they could develop into carcinoma down the road, since my PSA was still gradually rising and I was currently in great health to go ahead and have it removed. So, after thoroughly discussing removal of the prostate with my spouse she was more for it than I. So I decided to have it removed.

It was removed exactly 3 months ago today. I planned for a 3 day stay at Hopkins and I was cut at 3PM on a Wednesday and at 6PM the very next day I was being processed out of the hospital. I have not felt any pain whatsoever-even after the IV drip and and a few pain pills given me when leaving Hopkins. In fact I still have some of the original pills they gave me.

I wore a catheter 12 days but was already walking 3 plus miles daily. I was back in the gym day # 13. For the following 8 weeks I gradually worked my way back to 60-75 minutes of cardio and my 3 ups (push-pull & sit) 5-6 days per week. I firmly believe the past 27 years plus of gym work enchanced my quick recovery.

As far as incontinence I would say I am as about as close to 100% as I can be. Sexually speaking I have had numerous orgasms but firmness is still an issue. Dr. Burnett says to allow up to 1 year for full recovery and not to expect a perfect erection each time.

Of all the people I spoke to prior and post operation, none have said they regretted it. And most of my contacts had Dr. Arthur Burnett at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a great person besides being a great surgeon as the nerves were spared and he did not cut any muscle.

My cancer staging prior to the surgery was T1c with a gleason score of 6. Post operation the staging was T3 as the cancer was developing a focal point on the dark side of my prostate. What Dr. Burnett explained was the cancer cells were at the point of breaking out over time-His only recommendation was a 3, 6, and 12 months PSA; annually thereafter. He explained even though the prostate is gone men still have prostatic tissue in the body-by having annual PSA's if a cell or two got past the goalie the PSA would detect it and treatment can then be recommended.

Also, my Gleason score after the operation was a 3+3=6. No change.

I am 100% pleased that we made the decision to remove. I will be going to Hopkins next week (April 23.08) for my first PSA as Dr. Burnett would like to have their lab perform the first one. Also he wants to talk with me about my progress.

Thanks to you all who kept me in your prayers and thoughts.

HP

 

UPDATED

May 2008

 

 

After my 3 months check up at Johns Hopkins I had a blood test and after returning home I received a card with my PSA at 7.9 ng/ml. Boy was I shocked - after all those good reports and to discover my PSA had gone to it's highest ever.

I e-mailed my surgeon at Hopkins the following Monday and his immediate reply was the reading may be a "fluke" and to get another PSA test with my local GP. I had already scheduled one and the reading came back 0.04 - Boy what a relief- I have also planned for a third just for piece of mind ( 2 out of three ).

Update to follow- Bottom line just because Hopkins is the prostate cancer capitol of the world doesn't mean they are mistake free- Just pray this next test comes back at or around the second level of 0.04.

 

UPDATED

June 2008

 

 

About two weeks after my second PSA test I had a third one completed and the results were .07; well below the Hopkins standard of .2; therefore, Dr. Burnett (Johns Hopkins surgeon) said their lab made a mistake and he was going to research it and advise.

My next PSA test is scheduled in 3 months-I will post those results then.

Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. HP

 

UPDATED

October 2008

 

 

Had another 3 month follow up PSA and the level was .06-still well below the .20 Hopkins considers as non detectable. Praise the Lord!! Next PSA in 3 months. If all is well then annually thereafter..

HP's e-mail address is: lucash@nationwide.com