Howard
F and Millie live in Florida, USA. He was 62 when he was diagnosed in April, 02.
His initial PSA was 5.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and he was staged T2bNOMO.
His choice of treatment was ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) EBRT (External
Beam Radiation Therapy) Brachytherapy. Here is his story.
My father died
of prostate cancer in '79. I had regular checkups and noticed my PSA was climbing
but my physician said not to worry. Digital exams normal. When it climbed to 5.1
and had no feedback, I arranged to go to Wash. Hosp. Ctr. where a digital showed
cancer on both lobes. Had 10 needle biopsy and they indicate a GS7 with 75% on
the right with perineural invasion and 10% of Gleason 6 on the left. Slides confirmed
by Dr. Bostwick in Richmond, VA.
Had second opinion with Dr Chas. Myers
in Charlottesville, VA on July 16, 2002 who confirmed the PC diagnosed and he
recommended ADT-3 treatment with seven months of 7.5 mg. Lupron, 15 months of
Casodex and 15 months of Proscar. In Sept. of '02, I started IMRT (Intensity Modulated
Radiation Therapy) at Dattoli, followed by seed implants on Oct. 31 at Sara. Mem.
Hosp.. This was followed in January by 10 days of additional radiology.
Heat
flashes were a problem for 18-months with ongoing bladder and bowel problems.
Had several bladder infections and it was treated with AZO and antibiotics. Chronic
fatigue was, and is, an ongoing problem along with sleep disorder.
Bladder
problems are an ongoing problem that is still waiting on a diagnosis after seeing
three doctors. I currently have an overactive bladder that is a real problem and
am seeing a therapist for help with the disorder.
Chronic impotence is
a consequence that doesn't respond to Viagra or the like.(My wife is a saint for
putting up with this problem).
I have yearly checkups at Dattoli and blood
work drawn twice a year.
I don't follow a particular diet but, in general,
I eat a diet of salads, vegetables, some fish and chicken and red meat; and, practice
yoga, walking and play tennis 2-4 times a week.
I had a knee replacement
in May of '07, a torn meniscus in my other knee(the left knee), 11 injections
for ongoing back problems, a repair of my left rotator cuff ('05), three repairs
of the right shoulder('94-98) and I follow a schedule as if nothing has changed,
with reservations, of course.
Howard's e-mail address is: howard@lakelitho.com
