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Greg and Judy Nackers live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. He was 41 years old in June 1997 when diagnosed. Greg continues: "I am glad to offer my support, especially for the younger men who face this upsetting diagnosis. There is little information out there about survival and treatment at young ages, so I hope I can shed some light through my journey. Diagnosed after a normal physical, with a slightly elevated PSA 6.6, Gleason 5, early stage, differentiated - it was the first time I ever had it checked. Biopsy followup showed 1 in 6 samples cancerous.

Had RP surgery two weeks later. Tumor was on one side and encapsulated. Recovered quickly, however, experienced a rising PSA level starting six months after surgery. Decided against radiation and did lots of research. Found many alternatives and got cancer back under control with a healthy routine. Doing well so far, a two and a half year survivor.

[UPDATE 3 February 2001]

My PSA has been holding steady for the past year and half. I am now 3 1/2 years since surgery and two since dealing with the recurrence. My PSA holds around 0.5 to 0.6. I have fully recovered from the surgery and after effects and I am doing very well. I am shooting for that Silver status in a little over a year from now.

[UPDATE 30 March 2002]

Current Age is 45. Current PSA is 1.0. Current Treatment - alternative. Initial treatment? Radical Prostatectomy.

2001 was a year of change once again. My PSA climbed from 0.6 in Dec 2000, to 1.0 in July 2001 and 1.4 in December 2001. A health check up to zero in on changes to my routine, and initiate a repeat of my 1998 alternative practices to curb my PSA rising, is working, as my PSA dropped back to 1.0 by the end of January. The routine will continue until my June check up and five year anniversary. The journey and learning continues. The moral of the story thus far is that you must remain vigilant with this disease.

UPDATE 18 October 2002

Greg is now 47 and has a PSA of 1.0 his update follows:

July 11th, 2002 was my five year anniversary since my RP surgery in 1997.
I continue to keep things under control with a healthy diet and routine.

UPDATE 15 February 2004

Hello everyone! I have reached the 6.5 year mark and am doing fine.

My last PSA test was Nov 2003 and it was steady at 1.0, where it has been for over three years now.

We built a new, smaller house and moved a year ago. I have traveled a lot with my job. Through this past year and a half, I have proved I've learned to manage stress and my diet seems to be working.

Very thankful for this and all the blessings this journey has brought us.

UPDATE 15 February 2004

Greg is coming up to the BIG 50 - he is now 49, his PSA is stable and here is his story:

Hi Fellow Warriors! It is 2005 and I am doing well.

I will mark my eight year anniversary as a survivor in July of this year. I continue my belief and routine of following a healthy life style to keep cancer at bay. I just had a complete blood panel, including PSA and cancer screening. My PSA is holding steady around 1.0, which it has for the past four years now. My cancer screen was completely negative.

The last major step I took was June of 2004, when I quit my job of 17 years due to excessive stress. I found a better job in my field, which cut down on travel and got me back to reasonable hours. I adjust my diet annually, based on my blood tests. Cutting stress and carbohydrate levels were two key items last year, which led to my decision to change jobs.

Judy and I are thankful for my continued success. I still feel blessed each day and do not take good health for granted. We are celebrating 25 years of marriage this year and couldn't be happier. We are on track to retire 'early' in a few years and it is my job to stay healthy and make it there.

As always, if I can be of help or encouragement to any of you, just email me. I get about one contact a month. So I know people visit YANA and the journey goes on.

Peace and Good health to you all!

UPDATE June 2006:

I am doing fine, coming up on my 9 year anniversary. My latest PSA this past February was 1.2 ng/ml, so I have been steady around that level for five years now.

I just turned 50 in April, which was a major goal of mine after battling through the 40's. I follow a diet based on my blood type and get a complete comprehesive blood test each Spring to gauge where I am what adjustments are needed.

I'm coming up on the 2nd anniversary on my new job. I have only traveled a couple times in that period. The change was a definite plus in relieving stress and balancing out life.

UPDATE June 2007:

Hello from Greg once again.

Approaching my 10 year anniversary in July and doing well. My PSA has been 1.2 to 1.4 the past five years, so it is stable. I work at staying healthy and that has been my approach all along. Controlling stress and my diet continue to prove to be keys. I get a complete blood work up every year to guide my choices.

I get occasional contacts from this website from people seeking information and support. I answer them all and am happy to do so.

 

UPDATE August 2008:

I am doing just fine. I passed the 11 year mark in July and my latest blood tests and full cancer screen came back good. My PSA level stays around 1.2- 1.4. They have been changing the tests around and I get different numbers for different test sites. I don't worry about it anymore and pay more attention to my overall health. I try to maintain a low glycemic carb diet and protein balance according to my blood type and that works very well for me.

I still hear from PC warriors through the YANA site, especially those diagnosed at a young age like I was. I am 52 now. I encourage anyone who sees my story to feel free to contact me. I'm a good example that you can win this battle with healthy practices instead of drugs and other detrimental treatments.

 

UPDATE December 2009:

Greeting fellow cancer warriors.

It is 2009 and 12 years success for me. My PSA has climbed up a bit, but I have no concerns. I had a lot of travel and stress early in the year, that contributed to this. Managing stress is a key factor.

I had pneumonia in July, the first time ever and my threshold for enough is enough. I stopped traveling, updated my diet to lose 15lbs and got healthy again.

As I close out 2009, my health is back. I am boosting my immune system as a precaution to the increased PSA level and my prevention of the H1N1 attack. I'm doing well now and in my best health of the year.

This just shows that even after 12 years, you can not let up on your diligence to stay healthy and cancer free.

As always, don't hesitate to email me with questions....

 

UPDATE March 2011:

Greetings to all the Prostate Cancer Warriors. A special thanks to all who have contacted me. I hope I have been able to help and encourage you.

Coming up on my 14 year anniversary this summer. The past two years have been stressful with the economy and work situations. I have been traveling a lot and working longer hours than I should to help generate new business for our company and secure all our jobs. Because of that effort, my diet, rest and vacation time suffered and my PSA level has started to go up again (2.65 ng/ml at last test).

I met with my doctor last summer and we agreed what I do has worked best for me. So I have gone back to the routines I used earlier in my treatment. I am working at getting my PSA to drop or at least stabilize again. A cancer screen I had last summer was negative, so we are not sure what has my PSA up to this new level. I am not worried about it, but not ignoring it either.

I am working hard at doing what is best for me this year and my company understands that I can't do what I did for them last year. The main side effect of what I do is better health, so regardless of what my PSA does, I will be much healthier by the end of 2011.

My Best to All,

Greg Nackers.

 

UPDATE November 2011:

Hi Everyone,

Glad to see YANA is staying in action, so many of you have contacted me over the years. I will make my 15 year anniversary next July.

2011 was the year that I had to get serious again about staying healthy, as stress levels had pushed my PSA up the past couple years. I reduced my work load and focused on my diet and exercise needs. Over the year, I lost 15lbs and dropped my PSA from 2.7 to 2.1- the first time in over 5 years that I got it to drop. I had my best physical in years and overall feel very strong and healthy.

Judy is going to retire in December and I may take early retirement and join her in the spring.

To anyone new, have faith there is lots of support and help here.

To the other warriors who have been part of this site over the years, stay strong. Special thanks to Terry for keeping this going.

Greg .

Our email address is: gjn429@aol.com