Bud
E and Carla live in Canada. He was 48 when he was diagnosed in June, 2010. His
initial PSA was 2.8 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His
choice of treatment was Radical Prostatectomy. Here is his story. He is undecided
as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.
I have just recently
been diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2010. After the initial shock I spent
a fair amount of time learning about prostate cancer and what my options were.
I am afraid to admit how little I knew especially since my father passed away
from prostate cancer 10 years ago almost to the day.
Thankfully, I have
been doing a PSA test annually for 10 years because I was considered high risk.
A quick increase in my PSA from under 1 to over 2 in the span of one year was
enough to do a biopsy. Out of a sample of 10, 4 came back positive with a Gleason
Score 3+3. Had I not been testing regularly we may have missed this increase and
diagnoses entirely. Most men do not test until they reach 50.
I have decided
to do a radical prostatectomy which is being done this week. Based on my age and
early diagnoses, my best chances lie with surgery. In Canada, there are really
only two options... open surgery or laparoscopic. The Da Vinci is available in
Canada now but the surgeons do not have the experience yet. One surgeon I contacted
who does Da Vinci carries out about 20 surgeries a year. I will stick with my
Doctor who has done thousands of surgeries and has been very successful with the
nerve sparring technique.
I am very nervous about surgery but I realize
it is necessary. It was very helpful to see other stories from your website and
to know that I will get through it and hopefully reach the point where I can say
I am cancer free. I also helps that I have a very supportive wife and family.
I
will let you know how things go.
Bud's e-mail address is: wedge@cogeco.ca
