YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

SILVER

Mark Hammon and Brenda live in Tennessee, USA. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on January 8, 2004. His initial PSA was 5.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he says he was staged T3a, this seems to have been is pathological staging. His comical staging was probably T1c. His choice of treatment was Robotic surgery. Here is his story.

My name is Mark Hammon. I was diagnosed January 8, 2004 at age 58. I turned 63 on January 3rd. I guess I'm am a 5 year survivor. My treatment road has been bumpy to say the least. My PSA was 5.6 and my Gleason was (3+3=6).

Robotic prostatectomy in March 2004. My post-op pathology however was (4+3=7). I had Erectile Dysfunction and depression summer, fall and winter of 2004/05. Penile implant May 2005. My PSA was rising so I had (39) IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) radiation treatments August and September 2005.

My PSA is currently rising again. So, I've got hormone treatments in my future. My doctor is suggesting intermittent Lupron. I haven't decided yet.

I have accepted life as it is. My wonderful wife of 40 years has been tremendous support for me. We travel a lot and enjoy life to it's fullest. We also love to camp and fish. We have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I work for the State of Tennessee in Nashville and really enjoy my work.

I mention all of this to point out that life goes on. Once I got past the shock of having a life threatening disease, and recovered some semblance of our love life, I guess I just accepted the fact that I would be dealing with this for the rest of my life. What seems to help me deal with cancer, is to work. Whether it is at the office or a project at home, or planning for our next trip, it all helps me to cope with this. It's always in the back of my mind, but I refuse to dwell on it. I can't change what has already happened and there is very little I can do to alter the course of my treatment.

My advice to anyone learning they have Prostate Cancer is to get over the shock first and that can be difficult. Research the internet for all the information you can absorb. There will be choices to make concerning your treatment. Read all you can and talk to other Prostate Cancer survivors, concerning your treatment choices. Make your treatment decision and don't look back. In other words, don't second guess your decisions.

I would be happy to answer any specific questions you might have concerning any portion of my treatment. After all I've been thru, there isn't much I can't talk about openly.

 

UPDATED

December 2009

 

 

By early October my PSA had increased to 6.49 from 2.70 just 4 months ago.

Therefore I had my first 30 mg shot of Lupron October 12th and will have my next injection in February. The hot flashes and/or night sweats are the most annoying side effect of this treatment.

The decreased Libido is definitely there but since I have an implant, it isn't a huge problem.

An interesting side effect is my skin. I have always had very oily skin. Now my skin is very dry. This is a side effect I was not expecting. I'm having to use lotion on my arms and legs. On a lighter note, my glasses stay put.

I'm wondering how many injections do most guys get before going off therapy and how long do most stay off before their PSA starts going up again, forcing another on cycle of treatment/injections.

Mark's e-mail address is: Mark.Hammon@tn.gov