Howard
and Marcey Gherman live in Arizona USA. Howard was 66 when he was diagnosed on
12 January 2004. His PSA was 4.0 ng/ml and his Gleason 6. His choice of treatment
was Brachytherapy. Here is his story:
I
have spent 4 weeks researching options since being diagnosed January 12. I narrowed
my choices to two: Radical and Brachytherapy. This past Monday I met with an oncologist
and after 1 hour, my choice was made. I will begin preprocedure testing for a
brachytherapy this coming Monday. My choice was finally influenced by my faith
in my doctor. For the first time since being diagnosed, I feel safe. More to come.
Began
Monday morning, 2/16/04, 4 weeks after diagnosis with an MRI of pelvis and abdomen
and an MRI spectroscopy of prostate. MRI confirms previous CAT of same that cancer
has not broken out of capsule. Cancer has not metastized.
This
same afternoon my oncologist confirms by ultrasound stepping that prostate is
enlarged and the pelvic arch has been measured via CAT the arch is too small to
allow seed implantation at this time. Therefore, he has opted to treat the cancer
with Zoladex and Casodex, both falling under a form of hormone treatment designed
reduce the size of the prostate as well as attack the cancer cells.
This
treatment will take place over 3 months and then the prostate will be remeasured
via ultasound. Possible downside effects: temporary hot flashes, impotence, enlarged
nipples and possible liver problems. However, this treatment is short term and
problems, if any, may be small.
Second
visit to oncologist. PSA down from 4.0 to 2.5. Hormone treatment to reduce size
of prostate and cut off testosterone from the cancer is working. I've been quite
fortunate; no hot flashes nor breast enlargement, however, libido has all but
disappeared and there is erectile dysfunction.
Received 2nd Zolex shot. This is a 3 month dose. Casodex to continue. Am to return
in 2 months (May 24, 2004). If progress continues, brachytherapy will be scheduled
for late May or early June. Spirits are quite high.
Follow-up
visit with Radiation Oncologist after 3 months on Casodex/Foladex to prepare for
brachtherapy. Current PSA 2.00 ng/ml.
A
very positive visit. The hormone treatment to kill off the testosterone has succeeded
and the implantation surgery will take place August 3, 2004.
I
will update this page after surgery and will give weekly follow-ups thereafter.
After
taking Casodex and Zoladex for 3 months, the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. David Beyer,
decided that it was time for the implant procedure to take place.
Awakened
Tuesday morning after a good, but somewhat nervous sleep. Arrived at the outpatient
Surgicenter of Arizona Oncology Services and had an in-depth meeting with the
anesthesiologist. I entered the operating room accompanied by Dr. Beyer and my
Urologist, Dr. Mitchell Kaye who would perform the actual hollow needle implantations.
There were 20 needles used and 92 Iodine seeds implanted.
I went home
with a somewhat sore bottom and a Foley catheter at my request as I have had heavy
bleeding and clotting problems from previous bladder surgeries. Slept the whole
day with minimal problems and also at night with the exception of the discomfort
of the Foley.
The next morning I had the Foley removed and was sent
on my way with instructions to return in 3 months for follow-up.
That night I had a great deal of difficulty with urinating and was told that it
was caused from the traumatizing of the prostate, which had swollen and was putting
pressure on the urethra.
This is now Friday noon, and I am dealing with
full bladder feelings and a little urgency to urinate. No pain for 3 days with
the exception of a little burning when I urinate. So far...so good.
Hopefully
more positives to come.
Howard's
latest PSA results show a PSA of 0.01 ng/ml. Good news indeed.
On
May 9 I had a PSA of .01 and Testosterone levels increasing (much to my wife's
chagrin)just kidding. Feeling great.
It
has been 2 years since my brachytherapy and all went well until May 4, 2006. My
PSA went to 7.7 and a biopsy was taken. Negative cancer. My oncologist ordered
a nuclear scan and once again...no cancer.
Also
about this time I began dysuria or burning upon urination. Severe burning. Both
urologists tied it to the effects of radiation. I began a series of 30 HBO (Hyperbaric
Oxygen) treatments and upon my 16th treatment I was scoped and the urologist found
an inflamed prostate and an inflamed neck of the bladder. There was a little evidence
of radiation effect and nothing was found that could be the cause of dysuria.
I have been also treated with neurontin as one of my doctors feels that it is
a neuropathic condition.
Well
here I am still suffering from dysuria and it is not fun. I'm still a proponent
of the brachytherapy.
3
years since Brachytherapy. Based upon Oncologist's finding's, I have been Cancer
free however have had 2-3 bounces, 1 as high as 7.0 ng/ml.
This
past October I was admitted to the hospital in a coma and was out for 10 days.
When I awakened I was free of the dysuria and the urologists dismissed as "radiation
cystitis". Of course they did...urologists are surgeons and surgeons are trained
to cut. Any other treatment is heresy and a Brachytherapy is heresy.
This
past August was 3 years and my PSA was 1.8 ng/ml down from a 2.8 ng/ml, the "walnut"
was flat, I'm feeling fine (still on Flomax).
Outside
of the normal aches and pains of 71 years all is well. As far as the cancer goes
it appears, based upon the PSA of .03, to be on the way out the door.
The
only downside to the brachytherapy has been a diagnosis of "radiation cystitis"
which comes and goes over a period of time.
I
now see the doctor twice a year, which is fine by me.
My
Email Address is: hdg524@hotmail.com
