Ralph
and Sandra Besnoy live in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Age at Diagnosis = 62. Date of Initial Diagnosis = 22 March
02. Initial PSA = 3.3. Initial Gleason = 3+3=6. Treatment decided = Radical
Prostatectomy.
On
Friday March 22, 2002 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. And like everyone
else, from what I've been reading, the news was like a "ton of bricks falling
on me". My urologist went into explicit detail as to the options I had. After
taking Proscar for six months, the biopsy showed 5% of tissue contained abnormal
cells which were classed as T1c. The urologist stated that I really should consider
surgery since my "numbers" indicated that the prospect for "cure"
was very high!!!
He
went on to state that he has performed almost 400 of these surgeries. Given my
mental makeup, radiation was not high on my list because the cancer would still
be in me and I felt that the "beast" within had to come out. The only
hesitancy was that the urologist said that the surgery would take 2 to 4 hours!!
I told the urologist that I wanted to speak with a Radiologist in addition to
getting a second opinion. Here is where I got "lucky"’………
I got a second opinion on Friday, March 29, 2002.
After
reviewing my case, the doctor felt that surgery was the best road to "cure",
and after reviewing work / technique, the surgery would take aprox 2 hours; major
difference!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another major difference is that this doctor has performed
thousands of radical prostatectomies, basically this is all he does. I felt "comfortable"
for the first time that I found the right surgeon and if "cure" was
a high level of probability, then he is the guy to make it happen. He scheduled
the surgery for Monday morning, May 20.
Prior
to the surgery I continued to exercise, take vitamins, make sure I didn't catch
a cold and basically kept myself as healthy as possible. On Monday morning, May
20 the surgery took place, using the retropubic approach and my wife says that
it took 1.5 hours. Monday evening I had liquid foods. On Tuesday morning the Doctor
visited me and asked if I wanted to go home that afternoon. I told him that I
would stick with my game plan of going home on Wednesday morning, May 22, which
I did = and at 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon I was walking up and down the block
for exercise. The catheter was removed on Thursday, May 30.
Three
weeks after surgery. Monday June 10, 2002 I went back to work full time!!!! On
Father's Day, Sunday June 16 I attended the prostate cancer rally in Central Park
and participated in the 1.6 mile walk. I completed the walk in 25 minutes. Feeling
good!!!!!!! If anybody has any questions I will be glad to answer them and help
anybody who has to make a decision as to course of treatment based on my own experiences.
It
has been almost two years since surgery..
The
first year after surgery I was required to have an Ultrasensitive PSA test every
three months. Each of the test results came back <0.4, which is below the detectable
limit of the test. This year I was required to have an Ultrasensitive PSA test
every six months and so far the test results have been below detectable limit
of the test; i.e., <0.4.
This
May, I have my two year after surgery doctors appointment.. I will have to take
an Ultrasensitive PSA test. If the result is the same as the previous test results
I believe that he will pronounce me "cured".
I
feel that I have been very, very lucky.. The cancer was found early enough and
the doctor was extemely skilled.
I
exercise every day.. walk two miles @ 3.5 miles/hour and lift weights every other
day for 30 -45 minutes.
Well,
it has been two years since radical surgery... It was time for the two year post
surgery ultra sensitive PSA test. The result came back... <0.04, i.e., below the
detectable limit of the test! ! ! !
Needless
to say I was VERY please... I was also informed by the doctor that there was no
need to visit with him! ! ! ! All I have to do now is take an ultra sensitive
PSA test yearly... April 7 was my 65th birthday and the test result was the best
present I could have received............ I firmly believe that the key to overcoming
prostate cancer is EARLY detection and a VERY competent surgeon.
Well,
it has been almost three (3) years since diagnosis.. and I've just received the
result of my yearly PSA test... I'm pleased to learn that the result is still
below the detectable limit of the PSA test.. That is the result was <0.10 ng/ml......
The
PSA test was performed using the Beckman Access Immunoassay..
Aside
from the occasional cold my health has been quite good... I still go to the gym
every day and lift weights.. I try to keep my weight quite steady and I have no
problem with incontinence..
Basically,
all is well ! ! ! !
Well,
I've just had my fourth year, following radical prostatectomy surgery, PSA test
and the result is less than 0.01ng/ml which is undetectable, i.e., the lower limit
of accuracy. The test was performed using the DPC Immulite 2000 method.
I
am still going to the gym every day. I feel that exercise is a key ingredient
to achieving and maintaining a low PSA result.
Feeling
good and life is GREAT.
Well,
May 20, 2007 was the fifth anniversary of my radical prostatectomy.
I'm
very pleased to report that my fifth year post radical prostatectomy PSA test
result is <0.01 ng/ml using the DPC IMMULITE 2000 test method.
Feeling
fine, exercise every day and just go about my normal daily life.
I
know that I have been very lucky due to two aspects:
First:
Early detection and
Second:
a very experienced surgeon and very good post operative care..
My
Email Address is rbesnoy@aol.com
