My
Sandy Duff and Ray live in West Scotland. He was 65 when he was diagnosed on March
5, 2009. His initial PSA was 39.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4=7 and he was
staged T2c. His choice of treatment was EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy).
Here is his story.
I am 65 years old and have had a history of heart,
and other problems over a number of years. I had no "usual" symptoms of prostrate
problems so it came as a shock to me to find myself in the Urology department
of my hospital after a routine blood test at the rheumatology clinic. This was
in March this year. The consultant at the Urology Department proceeded to tell
me that there was a suspected problem with my prostrate and that he was going
to do the usual internal probe [DRE (Digital Rectal Examination)]
to find out initial problems. After he had done this he told me that there was
a growth on the prostrate and that as I had a raised PSA level (never heard of
PSA before) he was treating this as a potential cancerous growth and put me on
medication with an appointment to have a biopsy.
The initial shock was
quite something, but I got over the shock part and decided to see what the outcome
would be of this biopsy. After the results of the biopsy were made to me I was
referred to the Oncology unit at a hospital near me. I was put on Goserelin implants
[Zoladex] (slow release every 3 months) and
various meetings later with many specialists and doing a lot of research I have
opted for Radium treatment [EBRT (External Beam Radiation
Treatment)] which will start September 9th and consist of 25 high density
treatments to the pelvic region, 15 treatments to the Lymph nodes and prostrate
and a final 5 treatments to the prostrate itself.
I have been told that
the first lot of treatments will be intense and then decrease. Been told this
is the only option apart from wait and see, surgery ruled out. Have had CT and
bone scans all showing no spread outside the prostrate. Been told all the possible
side effects and long term aspects so at present sticking with this plan. Will
keep you informed.
Meantime if anyone has had this treatment can they
tell me if they did suffer the side effects I was told I could expect as I am
a bit wary of them, especially bowel dysfunctions.
My PSA is now down to
0.20 ng/ml
Sandy's e-mail address is : 22woodcroft@googlemail.com
