Bill
and Nancy Rau's Story - 14 June 1999
We live in North Carolina, USA. I first became aware of an elevated PSA when I
had my annual physical on 10 March 1997. At that time it was 4.5, a rise of over
1.0 since the last checkup a year earlier. An appointment with a Urologist was
set up for 31 March that year.
The biopsy: The Urologist recommended
and performed a biopsy procedure immediately. Two weeks later no results had been
received. The lab was apparently uncertain. They then sent the biopsy to a military
lab in Baltimore for further evaluation. On 12 May the report came back "Positive
Group1, well-defined carcinoma, Gleason 3+2=5".
The
Urologist told me all the options that were open to me, but recommended surgery.
(Radical Prostatectomy). I told him there would be no decision until I had talked
to my family doctor, whom I believe is a great guy. My family doctor also set
up an appointment for a second opinion with another Urologist (although not on
the Health Plan). He confirmed the original diagnosis (no big deal) but went into
great depth explaining the different procedures and providing videos. I left with
a much better understanding, though a bite poorer!
After I had visited
the first Urologist, I immediately started searching the internet for all the
information I could find. I set up a spread sheet on my computer and started cataloging
the plusses and minuses of each procedure. After much debate and soul searching
I decided to go with seeding (Brachytherapy). When I conveyed this to my Urologist,
it was like hitting him with a baseball bat. He no longer wanted anything to do
with me, stating that if I changed my mind, come back and he would perform the
surgery!
The quest for treatment: I found out that there are two kinds
of seeding procedures: temporary and permanent. I contacted Tampa, Atlanta and
Seattle clinics but these were all doing the permanent seeding, where the seeds
are inserted and then left to work over several months. With further study, I
found that sometimes the seeds did move, and I was concerned that what if the
one I needed decided to move and did not complete its job? So I decided on temporary
seeding. For those who are not aware as to what that is, the following internet
site explains it well.
( This
was also the treatment of choice for Andy Grove and you can read how he went about
his research in his article, "Taking
on Prostate Cancer")
Radiation:
On 26 June 1997, I commenced 3 months of Hormone treatment (Lupron). Then on 15
September 1997 I spent three days in the hospital at Tulsa Oklahoma, at Cancer
Treatment Centers of America Tampa, receiving four (4) doses of high radiation
seeding directly into the Prostate Gland through catheters that were placed and
secured into the Gland. There was a little discomfort after the procedure. I received
another three-month injection of Lupron Hormone and two days later I flew home
to North Carolina. I arrived home on the Monday and turned around and left Wednesday
morning, driving 1200 miles back for four weeks of low dose external radiation.
During that procedure I experienced some urgency in passing urine, but nothing
I couldn't handle. My PSA is currently 0.1 and has been constant throughout the
one and a half years post treatment. I have no side effects and continue to enjoy
reasonably good health, with just a touch of arthritis in my knees to slow me
down. I was 59 at diagnosis. Nan and I have been married 45 years. We have five
sons, twelve grandchildren and one great grand daughter.
 |
Latest
Update
10 October 2001 |
Current
Age = 64. Current PSA = 0.1. Current Treatment = Cured.Initial treatment = Brachytherapy,
High dose Radiation
I had what is known as Brachytherapy where after mapping of the gland and the
tumor, catheters are inserted into the gland and remain there for three days.
A series of high doses of radiation are fed directly into the gland through these
catheters, burning it out from within. I just had my 4th year anniversary of treatment
and am doing great, my PSA is 0.1. I also want to thank the providers of YANA
and the untiring effort that has been put into this website. I also want to let
those that are faced with this horrible disease know that I am willing to provide
whatever knowledge and support that I can.
Bill's
current PSA is 0.02 ng/ml. He says:
Hi!
I am now nearing the six and a half year mark and am doing fine. I would like
to offer this as living proof that you can beat this disease. I still have my
PSA checked on a regular basis, and to date it is holding at 0.02 ng/ml. This
is what it has been since treatment.
Bill
is now 67 and his PSA is 0.04 ng/ml. He says:
I
am now 7.5 years after treatment I have my PSA checked twice a year. I am doing
quite well and have no ill effects from my treatment. For me it was the right
choice.
I
am also glad to help others that find their way to this page and will gladly answer
any and all inquiries as to the treatment I chose.
Keep
a cool head and open mind and a positive attitude you can beat this thing.
I
praise the Lord for each passing day that I live Cancer free. Since my Treatment
I have lived to see seven Great Grand children born. The Wife and I celebrated
our 50th wedding annaversary (near 52 now) Have had two knee replacements and
a few other parts replaced but all in all I am doing well.
This
page has been a great contribution to those facing Prostate Cancer and if I can
help in any way feel free to contact me. With the right mind and good medical
choice and a faith in God "You can Beat this thing" Fight on there are great days
ahead.
First
I would like to thank Terry Herbert for the time and effort he has put into helping
other men with Prostrate Cancer.
I
was Diagnosed in early 1997 at age 59. Through pages like this and others I decided
on Brachytherapy where electrodes are placed into the prostate Gland and over
a three day period radiation is shot directly in to the gland burning it out from
the inside. For me this was the right treatment (everyone must be comfortable
with the treatment they choose) as I kept a record on all treatments, side effect,
and survivorship on a spreadsheet and this looked to me to be my best option.As
time has past I feel that I made the right choice as I am now 10 yrs. post treatment
and am doing fine. I still have my PSA checked twice a year and at last check
it was still >0.1
When
times are good it is so easy to forget those time of stress and not keep up on
the on going story, But I am here to tell you that this thing can be beaten and
to encourage you all to study your options and remember NO ONE is more interested
in your survival than you your self. And if I can help you with information regarding
Brachytherapy, please email me I will be more than happy to respond.
The
Best to one and all, Bill
Not
much to tell at this point other than I am doing well. I just had my latest PSA
test this week and it is less than 0.1 that would be my 11th year out test. So
I am looking forward to the future.
I
have had many new people contact me as to my treatment. Which I am delighted to
relate to them and give as much encouragement as possible. To me it is a very
small effort, which I hope is a great comfort. Wish you the best in the up coming
year Bill.
Bill's
e- mail is: brau@ipass.net
