YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Ken E and Jean live in Maryland, USA. He was 64 when he was diagnosed in July 2009. His initial PSA was 6.8 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I am still in the initial PC stage since it has been approximately 2 ½ months since I first learned that I had prostate cancer. My first indication was when my PSA went from the mid 3's to 6.8. My primary care doctor sent me to an urologist (who is also a surgeon). The first thing the urologist did was to set me up for a biopsy which revealed that 3 of the 12 samples had cancer. I then had a full body bone scan and a pelvic cat scan.

These reveal that the cancer had not spread and is confined to the prostate.. Only one of the quadrants had cancer. I've had a Trelstar injection and was on Bicalutamide (just finished 30 days) with no noticeable ill effects (other than a few hot flashes). In a few days I see a radiation oncologist to discuss seeding, radiation, and/or a combination. My urologist, who does not feel that my cancer requires surgery, assures me that this person is a "superstar".. Time will tell. My urologist also says that I must decide my course of action.

My reaction to the fact that I have prostate cancer has been minimal. The one thing that my wife and I have done is to cancel a contract we put on a new home.. The thought of moving after 28 years in our current home and having to deal with the prostate cancer was just too much for me. Maybe I am using the cancer as an excuse of getting out of the chore of cleaning out our current home.

Today, I found YANA... Never too late. Tomorrow I go to my first support group meeting (US TOO). My urologist really did not give me much guidance other than telling me that I had three treatment options and asking what I had found on the internet. So, I have been doing a lot of surfing!!

 

UPDATED

December 2009

 

 

Since my initial submission to YANA, I decided on brachytherapy for my treatment. I really felt that this was the best for me. I wanted my treatment near home and found a radiation oncologist who has been doing this since 1996 (approx 2,000 procedures performed). My procedure was done 12/7/2009 and required 107 palladium-107 seeds. I will be following up with both the urologist and radiation oncologist the first week of January. If cold spots are found, additional seeds may be required.

Why did I chose this course of action? In my mind, there were two main paths, watchful waiting or treatment. Watchful waiting was just not for me.. I could never have kept up with the continual monitoring and was concerned of my PC getting worse... I had to be proactive and attack this beast now.

The sucess rate was about the same for all the treatments. Surgery was not for me -- the surgeon may sneeze or get the hiccups as he/she was going about their business on me...I say this sort of "tongue in cheek" but....

Radiation beams treatment take too long (40+ treatments) and may damage neighboring organs..

That left brachytherapy. I am comfortable with the treatment I chose. I know there are pros and cons to any choice ---- it is up to the individual as to what path is best for them....

Ken's e-mail address is: wkeisterjr@hotmail.com