Peter
Simmons and Karen live in Massachusetts, USA. He was 62 when he was diagnosed
on January 8, 2008. His initial PSA was 11.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 9. He
does not stage his clinical staging. His choice of treatment was a clinical trial
involving radiation, ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) and Chemotherapy. Here
is his story.
On Jan 8, 2008 I was diagnosed with Gleason 9, high risk
prostate cancer. My first visit to a urologist he suggested that surgery was the
best option. He offered to give me a hormone shot but luckily I did not take that
option. He did make a very important suggestion which was to wait and not do anything
until I considered my options carefully. This, as it turns out was very important.
I
decided not to read any books or web sites but only discuss my situation with
top medical people who had my pathology report. Later an MRI with coil was done
to add to the knowledge. My reasoning was as follows. I am a very spiritual guy,
a Buddhist studying Native American ways. I have done a great deal in my life
to maintain my balance, peace of mind and my happiness. I have also leaned that
to help others is an important calling in my life. So I did not read books or
web sites or tell any of my friends ( unless they could help me spiritually or
medically ) Here are my reasons:
- I did not want to be labelled as a victim
of prostate cancer
- I wanted to only hear positive things.
- I did not
want to hear any stories of other peoples fears and treatments because I wanted
to focus on my condition ( exactly ) and the best treatment for me ( Personally
and medically )
- I did not want information that was outdated even by a few
months.**
- I did not want to get confused.
- I
knew that in a couple of months it was impossible to become an expert on prostate
cancer.
Next I went to see a medical oncologist. He said the tumor was
"nasty " and used some other very negative words I won't even mention here. Luckily
he asked me to contact a world renowned cancer center where they are doing clinical
trials. I did that and met with a top surgeon. He said that the cancer micro cells
had gone outside the prostate but that the main tumor had not metastasized anywhere
else. For this reason he recommended I do radiation and hormone treatment instead
of surgery. I met with a top radiation oncologist who said that in my case radiation
and hormones are more successful than surgery without the risk of incontinence.
I
then found out there was a clinical trial being done by a world renowned specialist
who discovered that radiation and hormones were four times more successful than
radiation alone. His theory is that if you add 60 mg of chemo ( Taxotere®
) before the radiation and 20mg during the radiation you may have a higher cure
rate again.
I have decided to join this study with 349 other men ( now
only about 97 ) in order to potentially cure the cancer permanently and to possibly
help others in the future.
I will be doing this over the next 6 months.
As a note, I am facing serious financial difficulties. If you know of any financial
resources or fundraising help please contact me.
Peter's e-mail address
is: petersim@aol.com
**FOOTNOTE:
IT IS IRONIC THAT PETER SHOULD HAVE THIS VIEW WHEN MORE OFTEN THAN NOT NEWS AND
STUDIES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET BEFORE PUBLICATION.
