Robert Harrison and Marlyn live in Maryland, United
States. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on 12/14/02. His initial PSA was 421 ng/ml
and his Gleason Score was 8. Here is his story:
I had my wife take me to the hospital after trying to self-treat myself for what
I thought was gas. In fact, my bladder was distended due to my prostate blocking
my urethra. I was catheterized and more than three liters of urine poured from
me. I was diagnosed with complete kidney failure with a creatine level of 35.
I was also diagnosed with metastatic bone disease.
I
was sent to intensive care and four days later, had TURP surgery. My kidney function
returned to normal.
I
take anti-androgen medication daily, and have resumed normal life activities,
including consulting work, business and pleasure trips, weightlifting and power
walking, etc.
While
in the ICU prior to surgery, the calendar on the wall had all of the date pages
removed. It simply read, "Today is." This is how I live my life, one day at a
time. I laugh more and fret less. Oh, and I now see my doctors on a regular basis!
My
last PSA in March 2004 was undetectable.
After
nearly three years on a daily regimen of 100mg of Casodex, my PSA began to rise
-- first to 2.4 ng/ml and then to 4.2 ng/ml. It then declined to 3.5 ng/ml, but
my oncologist decided the Casodex had begun working with the cancer cells instead
of combating them. I was switched to Ketaconazole (400mg twice daily and hydrocortisone
at 10mg twice daily). I continue to take a Lupron injection.
In
March 2006, I moved to North Carolina. My new oncologist at the University of
North Carolina Cancer Center has maintained my regimen of Ketaconazole, Hydrocort,
and Lupron. My current regimen is 200mg of Ketaconazole three times daily, 20mg
Hydrocort in the morning and 10mg in the evening, and Lupron every three months.
My PSA reading in May 2006 was 1.4 ng/ml.
I
continue to be physically active, pain-free, and without restrictions. My bone
Density study in November 2005 showed "the bones of a nineteen-year-old," but
at some later point, I may need Zometa to ensure bone strength.
Whenever I get the chance, I encourage men to know their PSA and have their prostate
examined, take any necessary actoin, and plan and live a robust life involving
family, friends, and work.
My
life has remained the same since my last update in 2006.
My
PSA has fluctuated between 0.9 and 2.4 over the last six months. My weight rose
from 222lbs to 251 pounds by last January, despite my being physically active
and altering my eating habits. My doctor reduced my hydrocortisone from 30mg per
day to 10mg daily and my weight has reduced to 225 pounds.
I
am physically active (weight training and aerobics) at a local fitness center
near our new home in North Carolina, and gardening and landscaping are constant
activities. I am pain-free and unrestricted in my activities and diet. I have
traveled by car recently to Atlanta, DC, and Maryland, and by air to Pittsburgh.
Upcoming trips include Maryland, Arkansas, and Denver.
My
wife and I are enjoying our new home and making new friends. Last month we held
our annual "camp" for our grandchildren, where six of them stay with us while
their parents go back home. Two of them stayed an additional nine days, and another
has returned for ten days to spend time with me and get a break from his younger
siblings. In all, we are adhering to our medical regimens and enjoying life in
as many ways as possible.
My
e-mail address is: roberth794@aol.com
