YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

John Bonneville and Catherine live in New South Wales, Australia. He was 56 when he was diagnosed in April, 2007. His initial PSA was 6.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and he was staged T2b. His choice of treatment was EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment) and ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) Here is his story.

Once the abnormal PSA reading (6.0) came back (Nov 2006), I was fairly certain that I had prostate cancer. So being a Registered Nurse I did quite a bit of research on treatment alternatives and the merits of each. I recall thinking at the time, that with so many different treatment's available, "none probably work all that well". But I made my choice, it was going to be EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment).

Biopsy undertaken in March (2007) indicated that I had a T2b tumor. Gleason was 7. I did not bother to find out primary and secondary numbers. I asked the Urologist how long without treatment? He said five years. And with treatment? He said you mean, "treatment that fails"? I nodded my head. He said, "ten years". I considered 10 years to be somewhat of a bonus as I also have Scleroderma (Crest Syndrome), which could have taken me out years ago. So being told that I had PCa was not that big an issue, merely something else for my list of ailments.

I was referred to a Radiation Oncologist. At my first appointment, the Radiation Oncologist was concerned about the possible effect that my Scleroderma could have on Radiotherapy. But he agreed to my having EBRT provided I agreed to 9 months of ADT (Lucrin) and gold seed implants. The Lucrin to shrink the prostate tumor volume, and the gold seeds to make the radiation more accurate.

I commenced the Lucrin in May 2007. My PSA was 5.9 (basically unchanged). I had side effects of mood swings, loss of chest muscle mass replaced by somewhat enlarged tender breasts, lethargy, cholesterol starting to climb, and loss of libido. Following the second injection in August my PSA fell to 0.85. Following the third injection in November my PSA fell to 0.45. Prior to commencement of EBRT in January 2008 my PSA was 0.29. Despite the side effects, the Lucrin substantially improved my urine flow. No doubt by reducing the tumor pressure on my urethra.

I commenced EBRT in January 2008. About two weeks into the treatment I observed that my ability to pass urine was becoming more difficult. By week seven my prostate had swollen that much that I could not pass urine. I made an urgent visit to my Urologist and was catheterised following dilation. The plan was to remove the catheter three weeks after I completed EBRT. Unfortunately I was still unable to pass urine. My Radiation Oncologist felt that further time ( three more weeks)was required for the radiation induced prostatic inflammation to subside. After consultation with my Urologist we agreed to leave the catheter in for a further five weeks and commence Flomaxtra in the fourth week.

Later:

May 2008: Well the longer period (another 5 weeks) with the catheter in, combined with the Flowmaxtra did not work for me. Thus I opted to have a TURP, which has has resolved my problems.

I was quite concerned about having the TURP as I was only 2 months post EBRT. Risk of stricture and scarring is increased post radiation. Urologist said that my urethra was in good shape and he only took 20grams of prostatic tissue. I am a tad uncomfortable (only 5 days post op), but can now void like a young man again.

I was somewhat remiss in not previously stating that I had a positive DRE hence the T2B grading of my tumor.

Later:

I am now two weeks post op (TURP) and feeling somewhat more comfortable. Had an old long lost friend return for a brief visit last night. Quickly disappeared when I started to void. But after 9 months on Lucrin, plus 2 months EBRT, I was not expecting any erectile functioning for quite a while.

My GP and best mate dropped in for a coffee yesterday with a copy of the pathology result from the TURP. No cancer was found in the tissue examined. Given that the TURP resected some 20 grams of prostatic tissue, it was an encouraging result. So far so good.

First PSA post EBRT due in mid june, which I expect to be low given the amount of prostate tissue that I had removed. Fingers crossed.

**** If anyone requires any information relating to my treatment, please feel free to email *****.

 

UPDATED

June 2008

 

 

I have just had my first PSA post radiation today. The result was 0.12 ng/mL, probably a tad lower than I was expecting. Next PSA is in 3 months time. I also had my testosterone checked as well. It was 6.20 (normal range is 12 to 38 nmol/L), pretty much on par after nine months of ADT. I also have recovered well following the TURP.

John's e-mail address is: bonneville@exemail.com.au