Michael
Durbin and Debra live in Texas, USA. He was 64 when he was diagnosed in
April, 2006. His intial PSA was 7.7 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 6. He was
staged T1c and he is undecided as to what treatment he should have. Here is his
story:
Please continue here. I was diagnosed in April of 2006 with prostate cancer, Gleason
6 and T1c stage. My docter recommended seeds.
I
met with the radiation oncologist and did a tumor volume and was set for the procedure
June 6, 2006. Ithen discovered that I already have a 25% to 30% chance that cells
had leaked out of the capsule so I cancelled the procedure.
I
have since done much research and have visited Dr. Frank Critz in Georgia and
Dr. Hamiton Williams also in Georgia. They both advocate seeds (Brachytherapy)
plus IMRT (External Beam Radiation).
I
recently visited Dr. Ronald
Wheeler in Sarasota Florida. He recommends a protocol called Chronic Disease
Management or CDM. I am thinking of having a MRI scan done by him in December
this year to see the actual extent of my cancer.
I
am upbeat but confused. the prostate cancer arena is a mine field and it is let
the buyer beware. If anyone knows Dr. Wheeler or is doing his CDM I would like
to hear from you.
Thanks,
When
I visited Dr. Ronald Wheeler in Sarasota FLA, he did a color Doppler ultrasound
and other tests and recommended what he calls CDM (Chronic Disease Management)
which consists of in my case
1.
Proper Diet
2.
Avodart daily
3.
Uroxatral
4.
Lo Vastatin
5.
Vitamin D and
6.
A supplement he came up with called Peenuts.
Since
then my PSA has gone down to 4.3 ng/ml in July of 2006 and 4.3 ng/ml in September
of 2006. In September 2006 I also went to San Francisco to have a MRSI. The results
showed no evidence of extra capsular extension, no seminal vesicle invasion and
no lymph node problem. Also, just one small concordant finding of a tumor in the
left mid-gland. there is also one small disconcordant finding in the right mid-gland.
Pretty good news overall.
Dr.
Wheeler thinks my cancer is a pussycat and can be managed with CDM. I am not so
sure. I have been looking at Dr. Michael Dattoli Cancer Center also in Sarasota,
FLA. his program looks very good. Right now I am trying to get all my insurance
issues in order. My HMO will pay for nothing outside the State of Texas, so I
may have to drop them and make Medicare my primary insurance. I find that I bounce
around like a ping pong ball on which way to go.
As
of now September 21,2006 I plan to wait a while longer. the PSA is going in the
right direction and as much is possible to tell the cancer in organ confined.
I would appreciate any input from others out there who may have similar numbers.
thanks and low PSAs to all.
It
is now December 19,2006. My last update was in September of 2006. since then I
have visited the Dattoli Cancer Center in Sarasota, Fla.
I
had several tests done there including a colour Doppler ultrasound. I started
IMRT treatments on Oct. 30, 2006. I had 23 treatments. I also had a colonoscopy
on November. 30. 2006 then on December. 4, 2006 I had the green light laser procedure.
It opened up the urethra and seems to have worked well. there was definite blockage
and the Dattoli team was concerned it would get worse when the seeds were put
in.
I
was originally scheduled to have seeds on Dec. 14, 2006 but had to delay it because
after the green light procedure one has to was at least 4 weeks before seeds.
so my new date is January. 11, 2007.
I
did a tremendous amount of research before deciding on the Dattoli center and
I can honestly say that I have no regrets about my decision. the Dattoli Cancer
Center is absolutely the best. Everyone there is professional, friendly and very
talented plus, they spare no expense in all the equipment they have there. I had
really no side effects from my treatments so far. I met many wonderful guys and
their wives. I am looking forward to having the seeds put in in January 2007.
anyone who is undecided and wants to know more about the Dattoli Center feel free
to email me. Merry Christmas and low PSAs to all.
My
seed procedure with Dr. Dattoli was scheduled for Jan 11, 2007. I flew to Tampa
on Jan 8, 2007. On Jan 9th I had a volume study done and did all my pre op work
at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. On Wed. Jan 10th I did my bowel work with a fleet
enema and another the morning of the procedure.
I
checked into the hospital at 5:30 am the morning of the 11th. At 7 am Dr. Dattoli
visited me and I asked him if he knew how many seeds he was going to use. He said
he did not know yet. They wheeled me in at 7:30 am and gave me a spinal. I couldn't
feel anything from the waist down. They also gave me what they called laughing
gas. I remember them telling me during the procedure not to move. There was a
curtain in front of me so I could see nothing. After it was over Dr. Dattoli told
me it went well and I asked him how many seeds and he said 100.
They
took me to recovery and then after about 1 hour to a private room. I had a catheter
that stayed in til 4am the next day. Dr. Dattoli visited me again in my room.
At 4am the next day the nurse came in and removed the catheter. At about 6am I
just walked out of the hospital. I have 5 prescriptions to fill which I did. Then
I went to the Dattoli Cancer Center and they put me on the helical CAT scan machine
for about 20 minutes. After that it was determined I needed to return in May for
8 more IMRT treatments.During this phase of the treatment they block off the bladder,
the rectum, the prostate and any penile tissue and just singe the edges.
At
home I have had no side effects at all. I am urinating just fine and don't even
have to get up in the night. I am not sore and have had no rectum problems. Overall
my experience has been really easy and as far as I know Medicare and the AARP
supplement have paid for everything. I highly recommend Dr. Dattoli to anyone
and everyone. As far as I am concerned they are the absolute best. If anyone would
like more information just email me
Thanks
and low PSAs to all.
I
had 8 more IMRT treatments in May of 2007. My original PSA was 7.7 ng/ml. It is
now 0.061 ng/ml. I have had almost no adverse side effects and feel great.
I
go back for my first post treatment check-up on Jan 11, 2008.
I
couldn't be happier with the treatment I got at Dattoli. Their staff was great,
their equipment fantastic, and their protocol the best. If anyone has any questions
feel free to contact me.
Mike
Mike's
e-mail address is: mwdurbin5@aol.com
