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BRONZE

Gene C and Nancy live in Arkansas, USA. He was 54 when he was diagnosed in June, 2009. His initial PSA was 4.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Watch & Wait - Active Surveillance. Here is his story. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

Wow! What a devastating word cancer can be! I have a yearly check-up in June of each year and it was surprising to get a follow-up call this year to come back in to talk to the doctor again. He told me my PSA had gone over 4 and that I had to go see a urologist.

The next week I was informed that I had to have a biopsy. Damn! My blood pressure and cholesterol have been out of whack for a few years, but this was not what I wanted to hear! Had the biopsy (why don't they tell you how weird those side effects are!) and a week later found out I had one sample that came back at 5% positive.

Spent several sleepless nights running the full range of emotions...Read everything I could for the next week on prostate cancer. The urologist I went to wanted to cut it out immediately! I would be cured! But at what price! I decided to get a second opinion.

Went to another urologist who was VERY straightforward and I thought a true professional. My wife went with me and thinks he might be the best doctor ever! Anyway, I was presented with several options. I decided to do the Watchful Waiting or Active Management. Just checked my PSA in December and it stayed the same. My urologist told me that I need to come back in 6 months instead of 3. I am feeling good about it, but I know that the war is not over yet!

It is very encouraging to hear more and more reports that this early stage prostate cancer is probably being over treated most of the time.

 

UPDATED

June 2010

 

 

Well, it has been a year since I was diagnosed with T1C prostate cancer. Today was my scheduled yearly checkup and it went great! My PSA dropped from 4.7 to 3.8! I am very encouraged by the number. Also, no sign of a tumor, so I am extremely happy that I chose the Watch and Wait. It seems there are more and more studies showing that this is a very smart approach and that maybe there has been a lot of overtreatment for prostate cancer.

I wish good luck to everyone with this disease, and if anyone has any questions, please email me.

 

UPDATED

July 2011

 

 

Another year has passed and it is now July of 2011. Latest Psa has come in at 4.4 down from the Dec 2010 reading of 4.7. I seem to be staying around the mid 4s.

It has been two years since first diagnosed with T1C. Less than 5% in one sample out of ten. I did not care for the first urologist that I went to and have been seeing my GP with him sending my PSA results to another urologist. He was the one that gave me a second opinion two years ago and recommended Watch and Wait as a viable choice. Unfortunately, our insurance is not accepted at their clinic.

I had another discussion with my wife, and have decided to seek out another urologist in a larger city. ( Our choice in our hometown is only the one I didn't care for). I decided I would like to have someone to visit on a regular basis. So the search begins for someone that I feel I can trust...and who takes our insurance...

I have also never stopped doing research on various treatments. I have been doing a lot of investigating into proton beam therapy. One thing I have noticed is no matter what treatment you investigate, they all toot their own horns pretty loudly! I really appreciate reading everyone's treatment choices and reading about the results. Thanks to everyone here at YANA!!!!

Gene's e-mail address: mustang_gene@hotmail.com