| Discovering I had prostate cancer at the age of 47 | | | | surgically removed. Hence the best advice I received |
| was almost an accident and certainly not something | | | | was, in my case, this would not be a practical option. |
| that in any way I expected. I had no symptoms - | | | | By the way information on proton treatment can be |
| none whatsoever. In layman's terms, everything | | | | found at or at The people I talked with who had |
| seemed to work fine. So the discovery of prostate | | | | used this treatment were extremely pleased with the |
| cancer was quite accidental. It seems I had gone to | | | | level of care they received and the overall outcome. |
| my doctor simply requesting a pill (propecia - a drug | | | | High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). In my |
| to reduce hair loss). She required I have a blood test, | | | | search for the right treatment, I spent much time in |
| as this drug would have an effect on my PSA. | | | | considering this alternative. There were three practical |
| Frankly, all that was greek to me...as I didn't know | | | | objectives I wished to accomplish with whatever |
| what PSA was and had never had it checked. I hated | | | | treatment I selected: (1) Cancer elimination, (2) |
| needles - had always said I was allergic to them - | | | | Minimal issues with incontinence (preferably none) and |
| hence I avoided being stuck as much as I could. But | | | | (3) minimal issues with erectile function (again, |
| on this day in November 2004 I decided to take the | | | | preferably none). Based on my Gleason score and |
| plunge - have my blood checked - and get the | | | | prostate cancer diagnosis, it seemed that this |
| prescription. | | | | treatment would be viable. For research information |
| Two days later I got a call while out of town saying | | | | visit As part of my consideration I met with Dr. |
| that all the lab work was fine except that my PSA | | | | George Suarez, Medical Director for USHifu. He |
| was a bit elevated - it was 4.58 and for someone | | | | reviewed my medical background and was kind in |
| my age that was high. My doctor referred me to a | | | | taking the time to discuss with me my options using |
| Urologist. The appointment was set. | | | | this new prostate cancer treatment. Dr. Suarez took |
| Of course I had some concern, but after all, all the | | | | the time to explain all my options and how, if I |
| plumbing seem to work fine and I had no symptoms, | | | | elected, HIFU could be effective while meeting my |
| so surely there was no problem. The Urologist's exam | | | | three objectives. My only resistance was, at the |
| was routine - in fact he said he thought I had nothing | | | | time, it was not an option yet approved by the FDA |
| to worry about as he felt nothing abnormal. But, to | | | | in the United States, hence I would have to seek the |
| be on the safe side he schedule a biopsy. Being | | | | treatment outside the scope of my medical insurance |
| fearful of needles (and a biopsy is the ultimate | | | | outside of the country. While I gave this serious |
| needle) I asked if it would hurt. His response, "Most | | | | consideration, I ultimately decided to go another |
| men don't really feel a thing." That was a lie! Looking | | | | route. |
| back, I would have asked for good drugs as that | | | | Radical Prostatectomy. All of the possibilities above, |
| was the most painful experience I can recall. | | | | brought me back to the original suggestion - |
| Several days following the biopsy I received the | | | | SURGERY. The issue I had was what kind and who |
| results. Prostate Cancer! I had a Gleason score of 6 | | | | would perform it. Since I had the time to research I |
| and 30% of one side of my prostate was cancerous. | | | | discovered (through the wonder of the Internet) this, |
| My heart sank as I received the news. How could I, | | | | then, new procedure called a robotic-assisted radical |
| a 47 year old healthy male, with no other medical | | | | prostatectomy. Hum...seemed that needed more |
| issues have prostate cancer? And, how amazing that | | | | study. Of course, at the time, Johns Hopkins Brady |
| it was caught by a simple test that my well versed | | | | Urological Institute was recognized as one of the |
| female doctor required. Looking back, her diligence | | | | best in the world for prostate cancer research and |
| saved my life. | | | | study. After careful consideration I contacted Johns |
| What next? | | | | Hopkins inquiring about this seemingly new procedure |
| My local doctor wanted to schedule surgery | | | | - using the daVinci Surgical System. |
| immediately. He said I had four options: (1) Radical | | | | The folks at Johns Hopkins could not have been |
| prostotectemy (traditional surgery); (2) Radiation; (3) | | | | more caring and helpful as I sought all my treatment |
| Hormone therapy and/or (4) Watch and wait. Again, | | | | options. Of course, they reviewed my file carefully |
| he recommended surgery. My immediate question | | | | and spent all the time I wanted and needed to |
| was how many of the surgeries that he was | | | | evaluate my options. Dr. Li-Ming Su was my surgeon |
| suggesting did he do weekly or monthly. The number | | | | and my hat is off to him and his skill and patience. In |
| was low. In the back of my mind I thought, "Hum, | | | | the end, one thing was clear - all other options being |
| maybe I need someone who isn't so surgery happy | | | | equal - surgical removal was still the "gold standard" in |
| and who does this delicate removal frequently." I was | | | | the fight against prostate cancer. Likewise, it |
| like learning to play golf - I would prefer to learn | | | | appeared that this robotic assisted laparoscopic |
| from someone who plays daily than learn from a | | | | radical prostatectomy would meet my three |
| weekend hacker. Maybe that analogy seems harsh, | | | | objectives. |
| but after all the decision made would have lasting and | | | | The surgery went fine - of course I don't remember |
| profound effects. | | | | a thing - so all I can base it on what the Doctor's |
| Following the meeting with the Urologist, and after | | | | report. Initially the report indicated that the cancer |
| telling my family (who thought I was joking), I spent | | | | was contained in the prostate and the removal |
| some time in research. First thing I found - based on | | | | should yield me "cancer free." Of course this was to |
| my diagnosis - I had time to consider carefully my | | | | be confirmed later from lab reports. The first several |
| options. Not that nothing should be done, but I didn't | | | | days following surgery were not pleasant, but |
| have to rush into any hasty decisions. Prostate | | | | tolerable. Within three days, I boarded a plane and |
| cancer generally is slow in it's progression. CAUTION - | | | | flew home to North Carolina - travel was not a big |
| do not use my experience as a crutch to avoid | | | | issue. The most discomforting thing following surgery |
| treatment (I witnessed my father-in-law die from | | | | was the catheter - which remained in for three |
| complications from prostate cancer), rather, seek | | | | weeks. |
| competent medical help in making your treatment | | | | Outcome. Within four weeks following surgery I |
| decisions. | | | | boarded a plane to Dallas, TX to begin a new job. My |
| Options Considered: | | | | energy level was back and I had minimal incontinence |
| Watch and wait. Well for several months I did just | | | | isses with subsided within another three weeks. |
| that. I researched - changed my diet - considered the | | | | Within seven weeks of surgery incontinence was not |
| possibility that I could reverse what existed and even | | | | an issue. Erecticle function returned within three |
| reduce the cancer. I began a regiment of daily intake | | | | months (with the aid of medication) and returned to |
| of cottage cheese and flax seed oil. For a short time | | | | full function (without medication) within twelve |
| I actually saw a decrease in my PSA; however, that | | | | months. |
| was short lived. What I did learn was that diet was | | | | Now it's been two years since surgery and all three |
| important - not only for general well being - but an | | | | objective have been achieved. Life is normal. I am |
| effective tool in promoting a cancer free body. This | | | | cancer free. My sincere thanks to all who were there |
| was valuable time in that it gave me the opportunity | | | | for me as I sought out the treatment that was right |
| to consider all my options. | | | | for me. I would not have the opportunity to function |
| Radiation Therapy. Not really an option for me. While | | | | as a motivational speaker today if it were not for |
| I talked with a man in his late 60's to early 70's who | | | | the skill and help of the fine folks at Johns Hopkins. |
| had outstanding results using focused radiation | | | | While printing such personal items for all to read may |
| (proton therapy I think it was called), the reality is - | | | | seem (to some) out there! I feel that, perhaps, |
| once you opt for radiation and the tissue is | | | | others who find themselves diagnosed with prostate |
| destroyed, if prostate cancer returns, it cannot be | | | | cancer may learn from my experience. |