Alan
Bacon and his wife Bev lived in Perth, Western Australia when he was diagnosed
in 1997
at the age of 42 with a PSA of 11.2 ng/ml that was rising rapidly. His Gleason
Score was 9.
Sadly
he passed away in May 2007 after fighting the disease for ten years. Bev has written
this summary of his story. As you will see, you can read his diary on the website
that he set up:
When
Alan went to donate blood in March 1997 it was found that his red cell count was
low and was advised to have a check up. This he did and at the same time the doctor
asked if he wanted a PSA test. We had never heard of it but said yes, he may as
well.
Twenty four hours later the doctor called and asked Alan to go back
up as the PSA had come back at 11.7 ng/ml. She arranged for us to see specialist
who did a biopsy. This confirmed that Alan had Prostate Cancer which at only 42
was a huge shock.
Alan had a Radical Prostatomy done in September 1997.
We were hopeful this would get all the cancer but to be on the safe side it was
advised that Alan have Radiation Treatment to kill off stray cancer cells. Alan
coped pretty well with this.
Over the next few years Alan had his up's
and down's but he kept on fighting, with the help of hormone injections and tablets.
In
July 2005 Alan was well enough for us to go on an around the world trip for our
25th Wedding Anniversary. It was an amazing holiday and came just at the right
time as by early 2006 the cancer was starting to spread into Alan's bones.
He
had his first round of Chemotherapy in May 2006 and picked up again until December
2006 when his pains were so bad that he had an Intrathecal Catheter fitted. This
kept the pains at bay for a few months, but between Christmas and May 2007 he
was in hospital more than at home.
He had just started another round of
chemo in May 2007 when he contracted Bacterial Meningitis, we were told this on
the 24th May and Alan passed away on the 27th May 2007
If you would like
to read the full story, go to Alan's
Diary
If you have any questions please contact Bev at: albys@iinet.net.au
