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