The
process leading up to my PC diagnosis was as follows
Date PSA
6/1/95 2.5
12/1/2000
5.5
2/1/2001 4.7
8/1/2001 4.7
5/19/2002 5.2 biopsy-negative
1/1/2004
6.3
2/6/2004 4.8 biopsy-negative
8/24/2004 6.8 biopsy-negative
2/1/2005
5.3
10/20/2005 8.6
10/11/2006 11.7 antibiotics taken to rule out infection
1/17/2007
12.7 biopsy-positive
2/13/2007 pathology report - 2 of 23 sites adenocarcinoma
3/7/2007
Bone scan -normal
CT study normal
Bases
on the above history, surgery is scheduled for May 3, 2007 I have never had any
outward symptoms. Prostate is slightly large.
May
7, 2007 Update I had surgery at Banner Baywood hospital May 3, 7:30 am. The
operation took 3 hours(Dr had estimated 2) The Dr said The prostate was inflamed
& larger than estimated. Dr was able to save both nerves. I'm optimistic. Dr also
took the lymph glands. Lab tests will be back next week. We'll see if the cancer
was contained to the prostate. My hospital stay was relatively painfree. They
provided self administered pain medication through the IV. I really didn't need
it, but I tried it a couple times. Works fast. It was comforting to have it available
at the push of a button.
Dr
wants me to be as active as possible. The nurse got me up the day of surgery and
walked slowly about 50 feet. I walked 3 or more times a day during my 3 day stay.
At first I needed help disconnecting devices attached to me but i learned how.
Let's see -- attached to me were IV, oxygen sensor, catheter,& drainage tube.
Hospital personnel were very tied to "to do lists".
I
received good care and everyone did the best they could to care for me. Even then
you need to do all you can to care for yourself. I was on a liquid diet the first
day, then Dr changed to solids. 2 day lunch hospital put me back on liquids. The
rest of my stay, I had to send my meal back & change it. The spot where my catheter
exited would get bloody & messy. I cleaned it myself, once I could get up.
Based
on my experience, you really need to help yourself as much as possible during
your hospital stay. Ask questions.
Update
July 2, 2007 PSA is now <0.10 ng/ml. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled
for Sept 12, 2007. My PSA will be measured.
An
interesting result of the surgery has been a lowering of blood pressure. I have
reduced my medication to 1/4 of pre-surgery dose. I moniter it every day. I walk
every day, now 2 miles and keep busy. No really heavy work. Incontinence is better.
No erections but on organisms I squirt a little pee which hopefully will go away
with time. My abdomenal area gets sore easily with yard work type activity. Hoping
to get in better shape. Tomorrow will be the two month anniversary of my surgery
and every day gets a little better.
Oh,
another interesting effect - occasionally on visiting old friends and relatives,
tears come for no reason. This too is happening less often.
Sept
12, 2007 Three month check-up following surgery. Doctor says everything looks
good. PSA <.1. Next checkup in 6 months. No erections yet. Will start trying Viagra.
I
had a PSA test (10 months since surgery) and met with my doctor for review March
12 '08. My PSA had increased from undetectable to 0.6 ng/ml. The Doctor put me
on Lupron and is arranging for a consult with radiologist.
I
have been very active and feeling very well.
I
complete a series of 39 radiation treatments July 7, 2008. I have had 38 treatments
as of July 4, 2008. Also had a 3 month Lupron shot.
There
have been no serious side affects. I have had hot flashes every day from the Lupron
and a couple days of diarrhoea from radiation. I generally have less energy than
usual but still take my 2.5 mile walk each day and ride my cycle to radiation
treatments every day. I also care for my 92 year old mother in law, so I get a
lot weight lifting exercise.
My
last PSA was when I started radiation but had been using Lupron for a month. Lupron
had brought my PSA down from .60 to .10. The Dr says the affect of radiation continues
after treatment for five or six weeks. At that time I will have my PSA tested
again and see the doctor.
I
will update again when I get the results.
August
25, 2008 2nd Lupron injection good for four months. I will have one more Dec 26,
2008. Currently my PSA test has been undetectable. The lab I use considers anything
below 0.10 undetectable. I have been exercising and watching my Mediterranean
diet..
Michael
Heard
and Gracia live
in Arizona, USA. He was
64 when he was diagnosed on February 14, 2007. His initial PSA was 12.6 ng/ml,
his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His treatment of choice was radical
prostatectomy. Here is his story: