Jack
Warren lives in Humble, Texas. He was
44 when he was diagnosed on February 14, 2007. His initial PSA was 3.0 ng/ml.
his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was
Nerve sparing Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Here is his story:
I was referred to my urologist after my GP was concerned about a PSA of 2.2 ng/ml.
Not knowing anything about what this could turn out to be I went along about a
month before making an appointment with Dr Krause. I rarely went to the Doctor
when I was married and covered by insurance, but now that I am raising my two
teenage boys by myself, I felt I needed coverage and a thorough check-up.
New
PSA came back at 2.7 ng/ml. Dr Krause told me I needed a biopsy. I told him to
check for infection. That came back negative. I figured one last shot before biopsy
so had another reading that I prayed would come back low. No such luck, a 3.0
ng/ml. Three of six cores on the right came back positive at 17%.
After
the news I figured that I have spent all the years not taking of myself, smoking
since age 16, drinking like a fish through my twenties, eating whatever I wanted,
and running my own painting company since the age of twenty. My prostate was smooth
and I was told relatively small, never had problems with it. I came to Christ
during my separation, and only vice has been the smoking. I will quit for weeks
at a time and then go back.
I
am going the Laparoscopic route, praying that it is contained but have this sense
of dread about this being the beginning of my physical problems. I am currently
dating a wonderful lady and having a relationship based on biblical principles.
She tells me the outcome of my treatment in the sex department is not a top priority
to her. She is a widow and lost her husband about the same time as my divorce.
So, I have support, from her and a great many others.
I
consider myself lucky to have been diagnosed early and with coverage, the support
of family and friends, and the realization of Gods infinite mercy, grace and power.
I only need to ask for the power over smoking, which I have been failing at on
my own. How he protects us and showers us with blessings even after going astray
is True Love.
Should
have surgery in mid April I am hoping. Meeting new Dr Tung Shu at Herman Hospital
in beautiful downtown Houston on Tuesday. Keep y'all posted! This is a great site,
has helped me with the decision.
#
1: Well, had my second visit with Dr. Shu. Did something kinda silly. I said,
hey Doc, how do I find out if my bladder is cancer free or not (as if I don' t
have enough to worry about) and he says, well Jack, we can check that right now.
Nurse, get the laproscope room ready.
Too
much fun! Not really painful, but uncomfortable. Although I got to see the inside
of my bladder which looked fine. They do a saline wash to blow off cells from
the wall and suck up some liquid for biopsy. So hope that goes well. He says not
to worry, all looks great, but he don't know me!
So
I got a little taste of what is in store thanks to a big mouth. Went across the
street to Herman Memorial here in Houston. Found out what I am up against as far
as out of pocket expense which isn't bad, and met an anaesthesiologist. Have my
date for surgery on May 8th, 7:30am. Not looking forward to surgery, but am ready
to get all this over and done. I chose this procedure to be able to have a better
knowledge of where the cancer is and if it is contained. I feel that long term
for someone as young as me this is the best way to go. I am young enough to heal
quickly and I would not want scar tissue build up like you get with radiation.
I
am going to receive free Viagra as part of a study and I plan on working that
baby back into working order ASAP. I do realize that it is going to take time,
but it will not be from lack of effort. Dr Shu does this all the time, is confident,
tells me I have a good attitude, laughs at all my jokes and has a few of his own,
so all tolled I feel pretty darn secure. The rest is up to the Lord, and His will.
To be continued.....
#2
Well, I have had my surgery and all went well. It took 4 hours and I don't remember
a darn thing. Woke up with a catheter and a JP drain. Had terrible pain from gas
and did nothing but burp for the next several days. Any time I would eat their
crappy food I would be practically doubled up in pain. Ask for fruit, like a banana,
to get your digestive system back on track. That's the only thing I could tolerate.
Ten
days later got catheter removed. Could control urination by next day, but have
to go frequently. As I do manual labor, I just have to go when I feel myself about
to leak. I am confident enough to go without pads, since second week. Manually,
have had orgasms but no erection. All this I believe is excellent for week four.
Oh, the orgasms aren't even worth the strain. Will get free Viagra or Muse on
June 21, wish me luck.
Now
the important stuff. Gleason was 7, staged at T2a, negative on extraprostatic
extension, less than 5% involved by tumor with dominant nodule 1cm. All great
news. Should have PSA checked on 21st.
Back
to working 10hr days again in this Texas heat but only from ground level or a
step ladder. Start aching down there by noon. Every once and a while will have
sharp pain at penis head. I figure it is nerves waking up. Sides of penis also
have a dull ache. Almost makes me afraid to have first erection, almost I said!
Sometimes I think maybe I could have worked on controlling cancer with androgen
blockade and healthy lifestyle but that is really not me. More power to those
that can. I am more of a "get 'er done" type. Give me a year and lets see how
things are working.
I
will surely keep y'all updated on the ED front. That was my main concern.
Bye
now, and good luck!
Howdy
all! Jack is back. I am creeping up on month eight. PSA undetectable,(YESSS!).Thank
ya Lord!
Well,
on the ED front I am in a study with 50mg of Viagra a day until two weeks before
next visit with sexual therapist, when I take a full pill of 100mg. I get a warm
feeling at base of penis with 100mg and can obtain half an erection, but cannot
keep it for very long. Dont think it would do for intercourse, but hey, better
than nothing, huh. I am optomistic that one day I will have full function, meaning
spontaneous erections without pills. If I need pills than I could live with that.
I just want to be able to maintain a chubby. Each surgery is different. I hope
Doc didn't cut anything that lets blood leak out from base of penis.Never know,
just speculating.
My
lady friend is still sticking by me and thats more than I could hope for. So,
I still feel blessed, even though I am raising teenagers! But what would I do
without them, and them without me.
Jack's
e-mail address is: brotherojw@aol.com
