After
the initial effects (fear, anger, depression, etc.) of my diagnosis, I embarked
on intensive research about this disease and its treatment.
My
conclusion was that selecting the doctor and facility that provided the treatment
is as, or even more important, than the treatment chosen. With a Gleason of 7
and a PSA velocity of 5.323 ng/ml/yr, it was clear to me that the disease was
aggressive and that the high probability of extra-capsular extension would require
treatment to kill not only any cancer WITHIN the gland, but also any that may
have escaped. I selected Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia, based primarily on their
excellent results as documented in peer-reviewed professional journals.
Upon
arriving at their facility I was surprised to find that the level of compassion
and human caring was fully the equal of their top-notch medical care. Approaching
the 3.5 year anniversary of my treatment I am overjoyed with the results. My PSA
is stable at 0.1 ng/ml, I have NO side effects and continue to share a still-exciting
and satisfying sexual relationship with my wife. I lead an active life, farming,
woodcutting and grandfathering and enjoy robust excellent health. I have no assurance
that my treatment will result in an actual "cure", but so far, so good,
and the peace of mind allows me to continue this journey through life with joy
and exhuberance.
 |
Update
11 October 2001 |
11 October 2001
Current Age 62. Current PSA 0.1. Current Treatment none.
Treatment has been completed. Initial treatment? Brachytherapy followed by EBRT.
Your story/update After 1000 hours of research regarding this disease and
its treatment, I elected to travel 800 miles to Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia.
My stay there was actually a lot of fun. Morbidities during and shortly after
treatment were minimal. And now, over three and one-half years after treatment,
I still have completely normal bowel and urinary functions, enjoy a wonderful
sexual relationship with my dear wife Sharon and have a PSA that is stable at
0.1 ng./ml. Only time will tell if I have really been CURED of this disease, but
I'm extremently happy with my choice of treatment and would gladly share my experiences
with anyone who might be interested.
|
Latest
Update
Feb 2003 |
January
27th 2003 marked the 5th anniversary of my treatment for prostate cancer at Radiotherapy
Clinics of Georgia so an update is in order. CURE is a word that comes with much
difficulty to the survivor of any cancer and being very conservative in nature
I hesitate to use it, but according to the long term statistics compiled by RCoG
over the decades that they have been carefully collecting patient information,
my chances of remaining in remission for the rest of my life are now in the very
high ninety percentages
and I am overjoyed. there is still a degree of apprehension
every six months while waiting for the results of my PSA test, but it is still
holding at an undetectable level and my confidence builds each year.
While
I was in the most difficult period of making a treatment decision I was told by
urologists of the many side effects that may result from radiation therapy while
minimizing the side effects of their own surgery. The few side effects that I
experienced during and immediately after treatment were minimal and absolutely
none remain. After one initial attendance to a PCa support group meeting where
the side effects of various other treatments, from other doctors and facilities
were so depressing that I decided not to
return, I have returned to support
group participation to spread the message that indeed, a man can return to an
an active, exciting and fully functional life after PCaS IFS they do their homework
and choose their treatment carefully.
I
implore ANY newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient to take the time and do the
work necessary to find the very best treatment they can. I spent over one thousand
hours researching my own treatment decision and have spent even more since, because
I want to keep up with the latest information in the field. I am forever grateful
for my dearest Sharon, who, during the most difficult time in the decision-making
process offered the following, "You are worrying about inconsequential details
like lost time from work, expense, travel, distance and the like. Just find the
best place to be treated and go there. I want you to be around for a long time."
I took her advice and have prospered (at least in the health department). Now
retired, prostate cancer has almost become a non-event and I can focus my energies
on my farming, my hobbies and the very big job of spoiling my grandchildren (now
six in number). If I can be of any help in aiding others, it would be some repayment
to those prostate cancer patients who helped me.
|
Latest
Update
August 2004 |
Jack
is doing well. He says: July 27th marked my 6.5 year anniversary after treatment.
My PSA was still undetectable and I am thoroughly enjoying life.
|
Latest
Update
March 2006 |
8
YEARS past treatment I am still "biochemically free of disease". My PSA still
remains undetectable. What makes this anniversary even better is that I am also
completely free of any sexual, urinary or bowel side effects from my treatment.
Although the primary goal in selecting a treatment is to eliminate the disease,
every prostate cancer treatment has side effects and avoidance of long term side
effects should be considered when selecting a type of treatment, and in selecting
who does your treatment.
My
advice to any newly diagnosed PCa patient is to take the time to research the
RESULTS of patients treated at any clinic, institution or doctor to find out how
well his patients are doing five and ten years past treatment. When I was researching
treatment in 1997 I found this to be very difficult. The reason is simple. MOST
doctors don't take the time and effort needed to find out just how well their
particular type of treatment is working. Only those doctors who are genuinely
dedicated to improving their techniques actively follow-up for the many years
needed to determine if their patients are still free of disease, and even fewer
investigate the long term side effects experienced by their patients. I found
that most doctors really have no idea of how effective the treatment they are
doing is in the long term. Those patients who's treatment fail just find another
doctor. It became apparent to me that a doctor who cares enough to find out just
how effective his/her treatment works is more likely to do a better job than one
who doesn't.
In
1997 there were only a handful of doctors who could provide actual statistics
showing the percentage of their patients who were still free of disease at five
and ten years, and it appears the situation hasn't changed much in the last nine
years. My advice is to find doctors with PROVEN RESULTS for your "short list"
of possible treatments. After that, you can make your choice based on type of
treatment and other considerations.
|
Latest
Update
June 2007 |
I
really have nothing to report. My PSA is still non-existent, all the plumbing
still works fine, and I enjoy a wonderful sexual relationship with my wife. My
next PSA is due at the end of July and I'll post an update after that.
|
Latest
Update
January 2008 |
In
just two days I will reach the magic day that we all look forward to... ten years
since treatment with an undetectable PSA.
I
received word of my PSA results today. I am so excited because I have now reached
that point where statistics say I will have a 99% chance of avoiding any recurrence
in the future and will probably die of something other than prostate cancer. Approaching
the age of 70, i am also excited that absolutely NO side effects bother me. No
urinary problems, no bowel problems, no erectile problems.
I'm
about to write a nice letter to Dr. Frank Critz and his group at Radiotherapy
Clinics of Georgia thanking him again for providing a treatment that has actually
cured (if I can now use that word) my cancer. I will also figure out something
nice to do for my brachytherapist, Dr. Clinton Holladay, who is now practicing
in Birmingham, Alabama.
|
Latest
Update
March 2009 |
I
am now 11 years past he start of my treatment on January 27, 1998. For most of
that time my PSA has been undetectable (less than 0.1) and I was joyous when I
made it to ten years. I did figure out how to thank my brachytherapist, Dr. Clint
Holladay. I called his office and talked to his office manager. She gave me the
name of a local delicatessen and I arranged for a full lunch to be delivered for
Dr. Clint and his entire office staff.
I
had my 11 year PSA taken last month and for the first time it appears to have
gone up. Not much, but from less than 0.1 ng/ml to exactly 0.1 ng/ml. I am not
starting to worry yet, because such a small change could be due to lab error or
mis-calibration of the the equipment.
I
have noticed an increase in ejaculatory fluid over the last two years and this
would be consistent with the regrowth of prostatic glandular tissue inside the
prostate. My radiation treatment at Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia was designed
to kill ALL of the glandular tissue, but perhaps it didn't. I have written to
Dr. Critz, the founder and Director of RCOG t ask his opinion of the situation,
but he is out of the country and hasn't yet answered. All though it was thought
to be extremely unusual to have recurrence after 10 years, it has happened before
and I have noticed more reports as more of us pass the 10 year mark.
I'll
keep you all posted on what happens.
Jack
Jack's
e-mail Address is: jejennings@comcast.net
Jack
and Sharon Jennings from New Jersey, USA share their story. Aged 59 at diagnosis
on 27 November 1997 Jack's Initial PSA was 5.6 with a Gleason of 7. His chosen
Treatment was Brachytherapy , followed by External Beam Radiation Therapy. He
continues...