YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Terry O'Neill and Christine live in California USA. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on March 5th 2008. His initial PSA was 7.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he says he was staged T2c, this seems to be his pathological staging. His clinical staging seems to have been T1c. His choice of treatment was Robotic Surgery. Here is his story.


In October of 2007 I received the results of an physical for a life insurance increase. I was declined due to a PSA of 6.2. I made am appointment with my GP who requested another PSA in November. This came in at 7.4 .He suggested I see a urologist and get a biopsy.

I am from a small town in Northern California. He recommended the local guy. I did some due diligence on him and did not like what I heard. I decided to see a Dr. Brian Naftulin in Sacramento whom I had heard good things about. I made an appointment and had a biopsy.

The biopsy was painless and quick- about 15 minutes....also expensive $5,600. Of 12 cores 8 came back positive. One as high as 80%. The Gleason was 6 and the staging T2c. I was told I had a lot of the big C but "curable". He suggested laparoscopic robotic surgery or 2nd choice brachytherapy. He did both.

I was in shock over the results. All through the process I was told 6% chance, must be a mistake , 25 % chance, odds on your side etc. I had convinced myself it was not cancer. I did not commit to the procedure and wanted a 2nd opinion.

I contacted HIFU doctors in Japan, Korea , Mexico, Belgium and Germany. In theory it sounded great. In and out and done with it. No mess no bother. Some of the vendors of this procedure were a little too opportunistic for my naive understanding of the medical trade.

I have good friends and business associates in Germany whom I sent the pathologic reports to. They consulted one of the doctors in Berlin whom I had contacted. This doctor was frank and to the point-a German trait. If it was his father he would recommend LRP. The results are just not sure enough for a 58 year old. If I was 75 he could recommend his therapy.

I then contacted Loma Linda and proton beam. The problems with relocating for two months and living in Southern California could have been overcome. I am self employed and have a great staff including my wife who would keep an eye on things. I could have flown home on the weekends.

The problem there was they had no openings. They did eventually call and say they could take me in September. I did not feel good about waiting that long.

My next step was an appointment at the Stanford Medical Center. I am a Viet Nam vet and eligible for Agent Orange care. Stanford and the local Palo Alto VA share surgeons. This was not to be as the VA take months to approve a surgery.

I sent my slides to them for another opinion. They said I was Gleason 7, 3+4. The recommended a bone and CAT scan. This frightened me.

I was impressed with their facility .The doctor/ surgeon was also informative and low key .I suppose the real problem was after gas, hotel and dinner it was a $500 plus expense for a visit. I decided Sacramento was equal and I had heard more good things about Dr. Naftulin. I scheduled surgery for May 23 rd.

Surgery was ok. Tired and a little sore but nothing major. I did make liberal use of the self administered morphine drip. I went home the next day. I was able to stay in bed or take it easy for the next few days. The catheter took some effort. Now that it is gone you realize it is a short time inconvenience.

The Thursday after the Friday surgery the catheter was taken out. That was a happy event. I put on a pad and ventured out. The first Saturday, a week after discharge from the hospital we hosted 60 people for my son's graduation.

I held up well and in spite of drinking wine I only had to change my pad once. The incontinence has not been a big problem. Some drips and squirts here and there since put no real problem. Dry at night. I credit this to the Kegel routine my PT , Michael Moore ,put me on. He has some effective twists to the usual exercises,

Due to the Memorial day weekend I did not receive the report after surgery at the first post appointment with Dr. Naftulin. Of course I thought the worst about this. Today his office called and told me the cancer was contained in the prostate with clear margins.

I am blessed. I am sure I chose the right treatment. I think of all the support I have received along the way. My wife, daughter, son and son in law have kept me in the fight. My extended family old classmates and business associates have also been inspiring. Dr. Naftulin is a true professional whom I would not hesitate to recommend.

Thanks for all the input on this site. I emailed many of you and received immediate response.

 

UPDATED

September 2009

 

 

It has been over 1 year and 3 months since my surgery.

The incontinence issue was over quickly. It was never really a problem.

I have had PSA blood work done every 3 months. All results have been less than .05 or undectable. I have a 6 months result coming in October.

The ED is a different story. The nerves on one side were removed.This was my choice. I could have opted to leave them but risking the success of the surgery. I have tried everything: Viagra, Cialis and Muse etc, have not worked. They also cause facial blushing and congestion.

I have tried the mix injections. The first time I had an erection for 5 hours. It was unpleasant and a little frightening. I called the urologist who said I should get right into his office and possibly the emergency room. In the 1 hour plus drive it subsided.The 2nd time I injected myself at his office with a lesser dose. It was also unpleasant . I have not done it since. I really have had no signs of life in that department. Certainly it is frustrating but I figure it could be worse. Dr. Naftulin was encoraged by my 5 hour erection.He said that was a good sign. We shall see. In his experience it can take 2 years to recover.

As a side note I applied to the VA for teatment. I am a Viet Nam vet and had Agent Orange exposure. They denied me. I used my private insurance. Two weeks after my surgery the VA approved me. I tried to get my deductible and out of pocket back but was also denied. I have engaged the services of an attorney to try and resolve this.

Terry

Terry's e-mail address is: oneill@volcano.net