Paul Coffman and Belinda live in Texas, USA. Paul was 48 when he was diagnosed
in January 2005. His initial PSA was 5.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he
has not been told of his staging, but it is likely to be T1c. Here is his story:
My
Father and Grandfather both died of Prostate cancer. In 2004 my brother, aged
55 and seven years older than me had a PSA of 3.9 ng/ml with a history of PSA
ranging from 1.9 ng/ml to 2.25 ng/ml and back to 1.9 ng/ml then a sudden jump
in one and a half years time to the 3.9 ng/ml. It was discovered he had prostate
cancer with a Gleason of 4-5 unsure as of now. He chose the Cryotherapy and is
due for PSA 1/12/05.
I
went to my family Doctor who did a physical and said everything seemed ok but
with a PSA of 5.9 ng/ml I needed to see a Urologist. The new Doctor said Biopsy,
so they took some (I think eight) and they came back unsure but with what seemed
to be changing cells. That was early October.
Then
on December 30th 2004 I had the second biopsy - 22 samples and one asperation
and two stop breathing! Wow, did I have fun... Well the Dr calls January 7th 2005
to inform me the upper right was malignant cancer and that scattered around on
the left side are precancerous cells. We are scheduled to meet with him January
12, 2004.
After
study all weekend I know the first step I see is to find if it is localized or
not. I came across some information that seems to cross off bone scan and cat
scan since bone needs a PSA of 10 ng/ml or more and CAT needs a PSA of 20 or higher
to find if it has spread. Will confirm that in a few days..
So
I guess I am ready for NEXTTTTTTTTT
I
have decided upon having LRP done and have met with the surgon who will do this.
He seems to have performed the most LRP in Texas and after meeting with him I
am comfortable with him doing the work. I don't know the date of the Surgery yet
just know it will be in April before he can get to me. But having a good Dr is
worth the wait on this call. I still have apprehension on this since I am the
sole finance providor to my family but still it needs to be done. I will just
have to work harder to get well faster.
I
still have no signs of the cancer causing me problems and have had the bone scans
CAT scans and chest X-ray. I currently have a cold that has to clear before surgery
and have sleep apnea so they will be ready for that part. I am to have the surgery
on either a Wed, Thur or a Friday and the following Tuesday will be too quick
so a week following that Tuesday will have my catheter removed. Then the retraining
begins. Already am starting to work on Kegals but will see what happens.
LRP
was done on me April 14, 2005 and I was in the Hospital until about 7pm April
15 and was able to be driven home
I
am experiencing the thoughts like - sure happy my wife is not a catheter. I'm
semi working at the home... where else can one be in their robe and still greet
customers? ok ok there is hugh but not going there....
I
am to be back for the catheter removal on 26 April and will hear about the Pathology.
But with the prostate being soft the Doctor said he feels good about it... I now
know this also is not a very good plan for weight loss - way to much pain lol
Will
keep you informed.
This
is now 5 weeks after surgery I am due back July 19 with a PSA in hand to review
progress.
I
am in the 50/50 to wait to see if I am cancer free or not. I am basically dry
- I sleep most of the night with one to two get up times sleep ranges from 3 hours
to 7 hours without a problem now. I have had sneezes with no problem but still
using the front pad just in case. One pad will last one day basically and thrown
away dry. From what I hear that is good news.
Sexually
12 days after surgery was given a bag of Cialis and viagra to test and try...
lol waiting on wife to have time so I can..... I did experience that when you
take care of yourself there is no mess eat your heart out M&M LOL
Well
I am back to 100% work with some days of being tired but is far better than my
fears I had. Computer customers would not wait they brought their computers to
me to fix when I was not travelling... I now know I am allergic to pain and catheters.
I sure thank Burt and Connie for their support during this time.
After
the last two PSA are showing no problem I have chosen to not do anything else
and go on with life, family and work.
My
wife and I have spoken about should the cancer come back into other areas of my
body I am taking the option or quality of life over quantity. We have friends
that were enduring one surgery after another making the doctors very wealthy but
while the length of time on earth was increased the time to be up and about and
enjoying the family and friends was shredded.
The
step of having the prostate removed which ended up 25% cancer was a good step.
the follow up of PSA was good now it is time to go get busy in life and enjoy
my wife, kids, and grand kids.
I
am open to talk to any who are looking at what treatment I do feel that I chose
the right one for me.
Just
had my 2 year after surgery PSA test it was a 0.2 ng/ml which is very good...
Good control of bladder ZERO accidents and now for the last 3 months have had
no need of Viagra or anything else to keep an erection. I plan on doing another
PSA in 1 to 2 years then one at 5 years out to see where I stand.
I
have received many emails and calls dealing the my choice of surgery and the life
after. While many have not received to this level I am I guess one who did.
I
had surgery in April 2005 and now I have no need for Viagra or any other meds
or injections (never would I do that to that part LOL ) I am allergic to pain....
but hey I do still have my humor.. While keeping a very low PSA of .005 and no
lasting side effect from the surgery I have full control of my needing to go with
zero leakage and also have full erectile function with either visual physical
or mental stimulation with no meds of any kind needed. Life is as it was before
with no mess.
As
always I welcome people who are thinking and having worries to be open and call
or e-mail anyone and not face this alone. I had great mentors and wish to be able
to offer the same to others. I now am over 3 years past cancer surgery and am
doing great.
Wife
and I continue our weekly date night and periodic romantic getaways for a few
days at a time... sex is not what it was but in some ways it is better since we
both take our time and enjoy every moment that we have. Fear is gone and life
goes one...
Trust
in God He will see you through and it also helps to have friends to talk to.
All
seems normal now. I am incontinence free and have been for over four years now
and all seems normal with life.
