Peter
Michaels and Tati live in Florida, USA. He was 46 when he was diagnosed in September,
2008. His initial PSA was 19.3 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and although he
does not state his staging, it seems it would have been T1c . His choice of treatment
was Surgery. Here is his story.
My story begins in late July, 2008. I had
developed a urinary infection so I went to the doctor to get some antibiotics.
I also got a physical while I was there. A few days later my doctor called and
said that my PSA was a little high, at 4.3. She recommended that I go see a urologist,
but that it was probably related to the infection.
I went to a urologist
the next week and had an exam. I got the results a couple of weeks later and was
shocked that my PSA had jumped to 19.3. I then had the biopsy done, which came
back positive with a Gleason Score of 6 in September 2008. While not unexpected
given the high PSA score, it was still one of the toughest days of my life. I
was discouraged but my doctor said that if the cancer was only in the prostate,
that there was a good chance of cure. The next step was some more tests, including
a bone scan and an MRI. These tests all came back negative, which hopefully means
that the cancer is in it's early stage.
My urologist is recommending surgery,
which seems like the best option for someone my age. I've had one consultation
already with a surgeon who does the laparoscopic surgery. I want to find as skilled
a surgeon as possible to do this delicate surgery. I'm nervous about the surgery
(I've never been a patient in a hospital in my life) but also the potential side
effects such as incontinence and impotence. I'm not married but have a girlfriend
and we have enjoyed a great sex life. I want that to continue. Despite my concerns
I think the surgery is the best chance at long term survival.
Peter's e-mail
address is: pbdude1707@yahoo.com
