YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

SILVER

Peter Cassidy and Holly live in Massachusetts, USA. He was 50 when he was diagnosed on August 17, 2004. His initial PSA was 13.4 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 7. He is not sure of his staging but it appears to have been T1c. His choice of treatment was Radical Prostatectomy - Surgery. Here is his story:

I was having a physical at age 48 and complained that peeing wasn't what it used to be. The young woman nurse practictioner standing in for my doctor in an embarrassed state did a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). She rushed and didn't discover that my prostate was very enlarged. She did order a PSA test which came back as 8.4 ng/ml, so I was sent to an urologist.

He said I had a prostate three times the normal size. Put me on antibiotic then retested. It went up to 8.6 ng/ml. Did a biopsy with negative results.

Six months later, a follow up visit revealed more difficulty urinating and a PSA of 13.4 ng/ml. He put me on Flomax which helped peeing. I don't understand why he waited so long before another biopsy, eleven months after the first and five months after the rise to 13.4 ng/ml but the result was positive. I wanted more information and opinions so went with a surgeon at Mass General that has been operating for twenty two years with this proceedure. Note I also got an opinion from a top radiation oncologist at Mass General. He ordered more tests and thought I was best served with the surgery. He said I would probably pee much better as well.

I had the surgery six weeks after the positive biopsy. I was reluctant to risk my sex life but with three young children, all indications of the best chance of long survival were with surgery. Though my PSA was on the high side, all indications were that it had not spread. I had CAT scan, bone scan and an MRI.

I'm 15 months out with no detectable PSA.

 

UPDATED

July 2008

 

 

It is more than 3 1/2 years since my radical Prostatectomy. I'm due for another PSA test but my January reading was still undetectable. My docter told me that the January reading was far more important than the previous one!

My personal life has changed quite a bit since my surgery. I am no longer married. I was divorced September 2007. I feel very well and still have ED issues but am glad I had the "gold card" treatment. I recommend it to anyone young, healthy and expecting to otherwise have many good years ahead.

 

UPDATED

October 2009

 

 

My story remains as I had last updated it. I continue to have a zero or undetectable PSA. The last one was two months ago in August 2009. I am fully continent. Infact, urinating is even better that the first years after my surgery because I can go for quite long periods between bathroom stops. I easily go through the night. I have not a single drop ever leak out except at the urinal.

ED is the only long lasting side effect from the surgery. At five years out THIS week, I can get an erection that doesn't seem to last long. I am quite committed to using Viagra for the rest of my life. Spontaneity is a little difficult as I need at least two hours for the Viagra to kick in. Once taken, it seems to have a long lasting effect. Probably 18 or more hours later, I can get a second round.

As updating before, please do not hesitate to contact me via email if anyone has any specific questions.

Email me if I can be of help my e-mail address is: peter@cassidybros.com