YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

 

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Sharaf Ali Bohra lives in India. Sharaf was 61 when he was diagnosed on 12 April 2005. His initial PSA was 11.2 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 9. He was staged T2 or T3 and he is undecided as to his treatment. Here is his story:

I had trouble controlling my pressure and decided to press the matter with my doctor.On examination they found that my prostate was enlarged.

I was asked to go for sonography and biopsy even though my PSA was not done.The biopsy indicated cancer with a Gleason Score of 9 based on 7 samples. Subsequently my PSA was done followed by bonescan and CT scan of abdomen and prostate area. Bone scan came clear and CT scan showed enlargement of prostate.

My doctor in India started me on Hormone therapy (Flutamide). I got a second opinion from Sloan Kettering in USA where they suggested that I go for Surgery considering my age and the quality of life issues. Radiation was also suggested as another equally effective option.

I am currently weighing my options on the treatment option to go with.

UPDATED

August 2005

 

On my return from USA on 20th June 2005, I got my PSA checked as I was taking Flutamide Tabs. I could get the results of PSA on 26th June 2005 as 1.38 ng/ml against the initial value of 11.25 ng/ml. Based on the second opinion at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, I further had consultation with various experts in India in the field. Following were the two options:

1) Radical Prostatectomy by open surgery.

2) Medicines followed with external beam radiotherapy.

Considering that with Gleason 9 (spread on both the sides) disease, I had significant risk of having micro-metastatic disease and may not be cured by local therapy. Whereas I may stand a better chance by opting for open surgery over external beam radio therapy as well as better likelihood of local control, even though there are many side effects of radical prostatectomy such as incontinence, impotence, bleeding possibility requiring transfusion, DVT, pulmonary embolism, anesthitic complications, lymphocele, rectal injury, ureteral injury, bladder neck contracture and dehisence.

I decided to go for radical prostatectomy (open surgery).

My operation was performed on 6th July 2005 at Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai, India. The operation lasted four - four and half hours. Five units of blood were required during the open surgery.

I was told that they have removed/cleaned all the doubtful areas during the open surgery and the collected materials were sent for biopsy.

The final Gleason Number reported was 8. They found metastases in the lymph nodes and other areas were clear. Since lymph nodes was found to be metastatic it was decided to have another surgery (bilateral orchidectomy).

On 23rd July 2005, the second operation of bilateral orchidectomy was performed.

On 27th July 2005, the catheter was removed to have the normal urinary functions.

I was discharged from the Hospital on 28th July 2005.

The final PSA, after surgery, is reported to be 0.083 ng/ml.

Presently, my incontinence is under control. From the first urinary discharge after removal of the catheter, I had sensation and signal to pass the urine. So far I am able to control and pass the urine without any discharge or any wetting.

The frequency of the urination is presently is 1 - 11/2 hrs and in the night two - three hours. Hope that with time it will become normal.

Presently I am feeling quite normal and on the path of final recovery due to the second operation. However, I am able to move around freely and have no problem.

UPDATED

March 2006

 

Dear Friends,

After my last reports, I have checked my PSA twice - once at the end of September and again at the end of December.The values are:- End September 0.05 ng/ml: end December 0.03 ng/ml.

I had consulted my doctor in early January. After examinations and review of reports he declared me as fully normal and advised me to check my PSA after 4/5 months.

I am still having hot flashes and frequent urge for urination, particularly when I am relatively free and in night. Other side effect is continuing (lack of sexual urge and total missing of fantasy). Hope with time some improvement will be there. Otherwise I am fit and working. Luckily I did not got the incontinence.

With best wishes

Sharaf Ali Bohra.

UPDATED

January 2007

 

I got my PSA test done end August 06. It improved from earlier value(.03 ng/ml) to 0.01 ng/ml. I also consulted my Doctor. He was happy with the result.

No change in other side effects like hot flashes,erectile,etc. I am still having frequent urination and woke up 2 to 3 times in the night.

I AM OTHERWISE HAVING GOOD HEALTH.

UPDATED

September 2007

 

After my last report, I got my PSA done in Jan 2007. The value was .03 ng/ml.

I got my PSA done recently end August and reading is .04ng/ml.

There is no improvement in side effects like hot flashes,erctile ete. Frequency of urination continous to be more. I am happy and satisfied that it is more than 2 years when I got my surgery done and I am fit and working.

 

UPDATED

December 2008

 

Since my last report, I got my PSA done on 26 November 07. It was reported 0.04 ng/ml. I visited my surgeon for check- up. After examination,he told me every thing is fine and particularly he was happy with my PSA reading.

I am having hot flashes and frequent urination 2-3 times in the night as usual. I working feeling normal. No other complication so far.

I got my PSA checked on 4th June 2008. It was reported 0.01 ng/ml. I have some relief in Hot flashes as frequency is now little less. I am great full to the GOD that life is usual and I am continuing working after my superannuation in 2006.

 

UPDATED

March 2010

 

 

I got my complete health check on 13th June 2009 including PSA. The PSA reading was .003. No change from last reported. The side effects like hot flashes, frequency of urination,no fantasies etc are continuing. Hot flashes frequency and severity is reduced.Weight loss is not happening even after food control and some exercises.Weight at present is steady.

I get many advice/feedback referal from my Dr.and I enjoy to educate patients and their relatives on the subject. With the grace of Almighty, I am going great and attempting to educate people who are smoking and chewing tobaco to do away with that. In my country Cancer is a major disease and it affects the poor and middle class the most due lack of awareness.

Thank you with best wishes Sharaf Ali.

Sharaf's e-mail address is: sabohra@yahoo.co.in