Colin
and Frouwktje Wood live in the South Australia, Australia. Age at Diagnosis 63.
Date
of Initial Diagnosis was on 2nd January 2001. Initial PSA 17.7,
Gleason 4 - 6. Treatment decided - Radical Prostatectomy.
Colin continues: I owe my very good outlook for a long and healthy future to the
PSA blood test. At no time did I have any signs or symptoms of the tumors (3)
in my prostate. I began the tests in 1994 and had a first PSA count of 5.2, the
following year it was 6.4 and in 1996 it was 6.9. But because my GP at the time
had no faith in the PSA test and seemed unconcerned with the results, no further
action or information was forthcoming.
My
next test was in September 1999 at the insistence of my current GP who has a much
greater faith in any testing. This time the PSA count was up to 10.9 which immediately
rang the alarm bells, so I was promptly referred to a urologist. By February 2000
my count was up to 11.3 so the first biopsy was done but this returned a negative
result. Another PSA test in May 2000 gave a PSA count of 12.6 so another biopsy
was done, again with a negative result. A PSA test again in November 2000 returned
a PSA count of 15.2 and was followed by yet another biopsy with yet again a negative
result.
Antibiotics were prescribed at this stage but had no effect because the next test
in January 2001 gave a PSA Count of 17.7, so back in for biopsy No.4 and at last
the culprit was found with one core containing a medium grade cancer with a Gleason
score of 4 to 6. A bone scan was ordered for March and this brought the first
good news for the future with a negative result. Over the preceding months I had
done a lot of research via the internet on prostate cancer, its effects and treatments,
and sorted out what appeared to be the most realiable information, so when the
time came to make a choice of treatment it was not difficult to decide which path
to follow. Considering my age (63) and the test results I felt my best option
was radical surgery (get in there, sight the adversary and physically remove).
Surgery was carried out on 4th June 2001 and the pathological results showed one
larger tumor and two small ones which all appeared to be contained within the
prostate. The Gleason score was 6.
My
first post op. blood test at 5 weeks after surgery returned a very comforting
PSA Count of 0.1 so I am looking to a long and healthy future (no guarantee of
course but positive thinking is very much the order of the day). After the initial
shock of the possibility of having a cancer I assumed the position that it was
not a case of "Why me" (negative) but "We may have a problem here so let's do
all we can to resolve it" (positive) and this has helped me immensely to deal
with everthing, and of course my wife Frouwktje has been a tower strenght too.
As at 31 August 2001, what started out as a rather hard to accept problem of incontinence
is almost a thing of the past - thanks to a rigorous regime of pelvic floor exercises
(yes it is important), general good health and a natural return to normal after
two and a half months. I still have the occasional minor accident and I may always
have to wear "panty liners" just in case.
Sexual
libido has been unaffected but because there is no sign of an erection yet the
word 'adapt' has taken on a whole new meaning. Orgasm is achieved with little
problem through intimate contact and the end result is as satisfying as ever,
it is just the pleasure of full penetration that is missing and a little disappointing,
but it is early days yet. Above all else though I am alive and plan on staying
that way for a while yet.
To
all those men who read this, take heart, prostate cancer is far from the end of
the world, and PLEASE, if you have not already done so, have a PSA blood test,
it may just save your life.
Updated 30 October 2001
Current Age 64. Current PSA Undetectable. Current
Treatment Monitoring. Initial treatment Radical Prostatectomy.
Your
update:It is now 4 months out from my operation and I am feeling just great. A
blood test at 3 1/2 months came back with a PSA reading of <0.1 which is really
great news. On a scale of probabilities developed from past case histories, my
chances of remaining in full remission at 5 years is 97% against the everage of
70%, now to keep it that way and on track.
Incontinance
is virtually a thing of the past with only the very occasional 'slip-up' if I
am feeling really physically tired at the end of the day (and then only a drop
or two), so I still wear a liner during the day 'just in case'. It is good to
be back on 'auto-control' again. Erectile dysfunction is still a problem even
though feelings and sensation have basically returned to normal, but no sign of
an erection yet. I am lucky though, a very understanding partner is of immense
help and makes any feeling of inadequacy a very small issue.
Yes,
it is disappointing not to be able to enjoy a physical relationship in all its
fullness but it does add new meaning to the word "adapt" which to a large degree
can compensate for that 'missing dimension'. Where there is a will there is a
way. In the short term I plan to try Viagra to see if that will help, and hopefully
in time nature will take its course with repair and restructure and set things
right again. On a practical note, finding the right pad or panty liner can be
a real problem for a man, please email me for my findings on the subject. Modesty
was left at the hospital entrance.
Updated Aug 17, 2002
Current Age = 65; Current PSA = <0.5; Current Treatment = Blood tests 4 monthly.
Initial treatment = Radical prostatectomy.
Update: Well, it is just over 12
months now since the operation and I am feeling just great, on the way to being
a long-term survivor. My PSA has remained unchanged (undetectable) since the surgery
which is the best news and I now have full control of my bladder. It will never
be quite the same as before, but only needs a little conscious thought occasionally
to avoid a very minor accident, and remember to do the pelvic
floor exercises
occasionally to keep the remaining muscles in tune.
Sexual
sensations are back to normal but there has been virtually no sign of the return
of erections, but as I said previously, this is not proving to be of any great
consequence in our relationship, where there is a will there is a way.
Surgery
was the right choice for me, looking back there was no great trauma involved and
I have done nothing but improve both physically and mentally since then.
Updated 21 March, 2004
Almost
three years out from my operation now and I can only say that I am completely
satisfied with my decision to go for the surgical option.
With
a current PSA reading in the 0.03 - 0.04 range and a positive attitude that the
problem is as close to licked as possible
I
find that losing the ability to have an erection is a small price to pay for the
sense of well-being that I continue to enjoy. We still navigate the mechanical
problem relatively easily and enjoy a normal sex life, ok, so there is a 'missing
dimension' but the desired end result is still attainable.
Most
importantly though is the fact that I am still alive and hope to remain so for
many years to come.
Updated 30 July 2005
I
am very pleased to be able to report "No change" since my last update, my PSA
reading has remained unchanged and I am as optomistic as ever of remaining this
way. We are so confident of the future that since the last update we have moved
to another State and now reside in Tasmania, Australia, thoroughly enjoying the
change and making the most of our 'new life' with new friends added to the old
and a whole new landscape to explore. Life is good, every day a blessing.
Updated October 2006
Now
in Tasmania, Colin says that the only and good news is that he has nothing to
report except, PSA unchanged at < 0.1 and am completely unaware that he ever had
a problem (other than lack of an erection, which he says "We cope with OK
- no lack of sensation, just needs a different approach to 'technique'").
Silver
at last and on the way to Gold - great!
Updated September 2007
Colin
says he has nothing at all to report for the last 12 months, just idling along
and clocking up the years, 10 plus plus is the goal of course, so it is all good
thus far.
Updated January 2009
I
am still gunning for the 10 year (Gold) milestone, no change so far, my PSA came
back the usual <0.05 and I do not have anything else to report - it is all looking
good so far.
On
that note - Happy New Year to all.
Our
Email Address is cgfw@netyp.com.au
