YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Terry Wagoner and Clara live in Michigan USA . He was 60 when he was diagnosed on April 3, 2007. His initial PSA was 8.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c . His choice of treatment was EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy) and Brachytherapy. Here is his story.

Retired 2002. Final company physical revealed PSA of 3.5 ng/ml. Doctor recommended watching. PSA raised .50 to .75 points every 6 months after that. Had five biopsies before they found it. Suspect they missed it on first four performed at South Bend Ind.

We winter at Fort Myers Beach and they found it there on 5th try. Had Da Vinci consults at Cleveland Clinic and Indiana University Med. Found Dattoli Cancer Clinic on Internet.

Talked to several men who went there. Also joined Man to Man and met many fellows with PC. Most agonizing aspect for me was the decision on course of treatment and selecting a doctor. Was very close (within days) to having Da Vinci surgery at Cleveland Clinic at Weston Florida. What swayed me to go with radiation therapy, using IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) . and Seeding - Seed Implant Brachytherapy - was meeting and talking to so many fellows who had surgery and now a year or so later they were undergoing some type of salvage therapy. In short, surgery didn't get all the cancer. So in addition to undergoing the rigors of the surgery and dealing with the quality of life issues they now were faced with cancer spreading.

Time will tell if I made the right decision, but I have decided that when I made my choice I wouldn't look back with any regrets. I would love to share the Dattoli experience with anyone who is interested. It is unlike any medical experience I have had. I met fellows there who were back for their nine year check up and still completely clean. Dr. Dattoli just published 14 year data with 90% cure rate. He has a great text book available on his website.

Email me and I will respond and provide my phone number.

God Bless

 

UPDATED

October 2007

 

 

On October 23, 2007 it was two month since 81 Palladium-103 seeds were implanted. The procedure itself was esentially a "non-event" with amazingly little discomfort immediately afterwards. I took no pain pills.

About 12-15 days post seeding I began experiencing some rectal discomfort. Sitting on hard chairs or lawn tractor aggravated it. Also, had very frequent urination and weak stream. Taking Flomax 2x daily. Will go off the Casodex and Avodart in one more month. Have swollen and tender breast. Each day it gets better.

About the only symptom now is frequent urination. Most nites I sleep thru. I admit I am not really watching my diet and eat/drink essentially whatever I want. I return to Dattoli Clinic on November 28, 2007 for 8 more IMRT (post-seeding boost). This will complete my treatment.

I believe I will then go back in three months for my first post-treatment PSA check and color doppler ultrasound.

Be glad to answer any questions or provide more detailed info.

 

UPDATED

December 2007

 

 

On December 13, 2007 I completed my final eight IMRT treatments at the Dattoli Cancer Center in Sarasota. These 8 treatments are called a "post seeding boost".

My first PSA test results after seeding is 0.08 (Down from 8.75). I am very pleased with the results, but Dr. Dattoli cautions that at my age I could experience a "PSA bounce". As a reminder I had 81 Palladium 103 seeds implanted on August 23, 2007.

I have very little remaining side effects from the procedure other than frequent urination. I would say my urination is about back to normal now. I sleep through most nites. I have reduced from 2 Flomax tablets/day to one tablet/day and plan to wean myself off all the Flomax by March or sooner. I am doing so well that Dr Dattoli doesnt need to see me until next December.

I have my fingers crossed that I made the right choice. I can truly say whatever the future brings I have no regrets for choosing the Dattoli Cancer Center. Be glad to share the Dattoli experience with anyone. You owe it to yourself to evaluate it before you chose your course of treatment and who will perform it.

God Bless and Happy New Year.

 

UPDATED

August 2008

 

 

At 6 months post seeding my PSA had risen from 0.08 to 0.15. I was concerned and called the Dattoli clinic. I was told too soon to worry. My first annual exam is scheduled for December 19, '08. At that visit will get complete blood work up and color doppler ultrasound exam.

On August 23, '08 it was one year since my seeding. I am off all meds. Urination is normal. I sleep through the nite. However, recently began bleeding with stool. This occurs one or two times a week. Started with spotting and will occasionally flow. Saw Gastroenterologist and he diagnosed it as "chronic radiation proctitis". He says common with radiation patients. He can treat with Formalin swab. I am researching and deciding on course of action. I am disappointed, but went into this knowing that no one could tell me the longer term effects of radiation on the body.

I have no pain and no other symptoms.

 

UPDATED

December 2009

 

 

I am scheduled to return to the Dattoli Clinic in January 2010 for my second annual post treatment check-up.

I still experience some urination urgency and frequency. Get up 2 to 3 times a night. Also, have rectal bleeding. I have seen two GI's and they say it is due to radiation proctitis and will not improve with time. One suggested Formalin treatment which is a chemical cautery and the other suggested Radiofrequency Ablation. I am still deciding what to do. I am disappointed with the rectal bleeding.

I have no prostate pain. I am still able to get an erection, but not as good as before treatment.

In January they will perform blood work including PSA, CT scan, and rectal ultrasound. I will update after I get my results.

Be glad to discuss my Dattoli experience with anyone.

God Bless and Thanks --Terry Wagoner.


Terry's e-mail address is: wagstw46@aol.com