YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Rick Cole and Laurie live in Arkansas USA. He was 54 when he was diagnosed in June, 2009. His initial PSA was 21.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c . He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

The Veteran Affairs doctors were sure the cancer must be much more than they could detect. They detected 5% in 1/12 samples taken. They did two bone scans, 2 or 3 CAT scans, ultrasounds, 2 MRI scans, but found no more cancer.

They say watch and wait is not an option. I would opt for surgery rather than radiation. But hope I can choose active surveillance although they won't recommend it.

Would like some advice/input.

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

It is a small, low-risk cancer. I am watching and waiting. The VA wanted to do surgery seven hours away (Shreveport, LA) and not even the robotic surgery. I am hoping to get treatment closer and hopefully the robotic - or maybe if I can wait, proton treatment. I have an upcoming appt. to discuss other options and perhaps the VA will actually outsource treatment.

In the meantime, I am having symptoms of bleeding and pain. I've become addicted to pain pills although Motrin would have sufficed. The pain is not severe. But these symptoms are disturbing. They have tested extensively and have not found the cancer to have spread.

Rick's e-mail address is: janeair595@aol.com