YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Kenneth Horn lives in New Hampshire, U. S.. He was 59 when he was diagnosed on January 23, 2009. His initial PSA was 53.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4 = 7 and although he says he was staged T3, this appears to be the pathological staging, not the clinical staging which would likely have been T1c. His choice of treatment was Radiation IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). Here is his story.

Like many others I started to notice issues discomfort when urinating and frequent late night wake ups. Since I had prostatitis in my 30's I knew it was an issue.

Went to Doctor in early December 2008 and he performed DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) as well as PSA test. Result came back and my PSA was 53.0 ng/ml.

Scheduled visit to Urologist where after he examined and talked he felt biopsy needed. Biopsy was performed early January 2009 - 8 cores taken. On January 23, 2009 doctor informed me I had cancer. 6 of 8 samples showed with a Gleason score of 7. Stated that it was 3 + 4 and with PSA level was staged at T3.**1 I then had complete Bone scan and Pelvic MRI with die injection. Both came back negative.

I then had to decide on treatment. Believe me no easy thing. Saw Radiologist and Surgeon. Surgeon wanted to perform complete removal. Radiologist would perform IMRT treatment over 8 weeks along with Hormone treatment. Bought Walsh's book and read. Read some online and talk with someone who had gone through surgery. On February 23 met with Urologist and decided on radiation with hormone. Started treatment the next week March 1st 2009.

Can give more on how treatment went if like.

Thanks

 

UPDATED

September 2009

 

 

After finishing my radiation treatment at end of May I completed one more month on Lupron. Scheduled to visit doctor at end of August.

I would have to say the radiation treatment for me was not all that bad. After first 3 weeks experienced some bowel issues but was minor. Toward the end I was noticing more fatigue.

The hormone treatments consisted of one shot each month for three months beginning in April. Minor side effects I experienced were hot flashes and some aching discomfort. Not sure if I would stay on this if needed for long term.

My urinary problems are minor now. Flow is good still have the wake up calls at night but only once or twice at most.

Lab work was performed first week of September. Report came back with a PSA of 1.57. Doctor would like to have seen zero, of course so would I, but for now will do watch and wait till end of November when I will retest for PSA.

Here's hoping for good results then.

 

UPDATED

December 2009

 

 

Has been six months since last radiation treatment and Lupron injection. Visit to doctor this week in December and was pleased to find my PSA was 0.3. and doctor said prostrate felt normal.

His words "you beat the odds". It may be what this is all about. I am scheduled for another check-up in March along with a full bladder scan. Sounds like fun.

Do I believe I am cured? Don't believe they have found a cure, I am just beating the odds : ) Well here's hoping for a great Spring visit.

Keep beating those odds my fellow YANA members!

Kenneth's e-mail address is: horn50@comcast.net

 

Note 1: The PSA level is not part of the staging process which is described here. It seems that this notional stage may have been from the Partin's Tables. [back]