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BRONZE

Bernard Power and Val live in Scotland. He was 55 when he was diagnosed in March 2008. His initial PSA was 33.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 9 and although he does not state his staging it seems likely he was staged T4. His choice of treatment was Hormone - ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) . Here is his story.

 THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2011 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

Hello

We live in the Scottish Highlands.

This is B's wife. We are still in shock. B had some bladder problems towards the end of '07 but he didn't tell me. We went on a short holiday, and he later asked me to make an appt with the GP "to get my cholesterol checked again". During this appt a DRE and PSA test was done.

PSA came back at 33. I was very worried. Biopsy, MRI and bone scan quickly followed. We didn't have to wait as the medical team obviously realised there was a serious problem.

Saw the Consultant 10 days later. Advanced PC with mets on the right rib. We were due to go on a short holiday. Left the Consultants in a daze. Initial treatment - Casodex.

Since then, B has been for a Zoladex implant. We had two appointments with two National Health Society GP's and two mistakes made with prescriptions. This does not bode well.

We are in touch (have met) the local community nurse who has assured us she will help him (and me) in any way she can. The first thing she will have to do is help us to find a GP WHO WILL LISTEN!! They do not seem to listen and I feel like shouting that this is my husband's quality of life they are playing with!

I am shocked. I am angry. B is handling this extremely well. He is very positive despite the fact that he has already lost a mother, brother and sister to cancer. I don't know where he gets his strength from. There are no support groups in our part of the Highlands.

The Specialist Nurse at the hospital has been extremely helpful. Could not wish for better, but I am still in the dark as to whether we can expect any other treatment, ie radiation in the future.

Thank you for the site!

 

UPDATED

May 2008

 

 

B and I went to see another local GP about ten days ago - we were not happy with mistakes and seeming lack of intestest with two others at the practice. I think we can trust this guy. He really seemed to listen, and we believe that he handles quite a few cancer patients.

He offered to take some blood while we were there (we had just gone to check him out really), and we got the results of that test last week. PSA down from 33 to 10.7. We were glad to hear that - it has only been a month on meds after all - and happy generally as we felt we had something to celebrate!

Next blood test to be done before the 2nd Zoladex implant in July, and every 3 months thereafter.

 

UPDATED

September 2009

 

 

3 monthly Zoladex started end April '08 after 2 weeks on Casodex 50. Bone scan revealed mets to pelvis and rib.

July '08 - 0.08 (down from 33 to 10.7 then this)

Aug/Sept '08 - 0.09 October - 0.15

November '08 - 0.24

Dec '08 - 0.25

Jan '09 - 0.33

end Jan '09 - 0.46

Feb '09 - 0.42 - stopped Casodex, Uro didn't realise he was still on it.

March '09 - 0.56

April '09 - 0.78

May/June '09 - 0.70 - after 1st monthly Zoladex

30th Jul '09 - 0.80

3rd Sept '09 - 1.14

We will be seeing our regular Onco on 21st September, and will see what he has to say about the rising PSA.