YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Paul Proue and Sharon live in Florida USA. He was 66 when he was diagnosed in January, 2010. His initial PSA was 1.19 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he does not stage his staging it seems he would have been staged T2a. His choice of treatment was Active Surveillance. Here is his story.

During a routine exam by my GP I was given a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). The Doctor advised he felt a nodule on the right side of my prostate and advised me to see a Urologist. The Urologist felt the same nodule and recommended a biopsy. I consented and it was scheduled.

The biopsy procedure was the most painful and uncomfortable experience I have endured. A numbing salve was used but it was still a painful experience.

The initial pathology report indicated a suspicious sample so the slides were sent for a second opinion. They came back with a Gleason score of 3+3=6. There was one core out of 12 positive with less than 5%. The tumor was less than 1mm. And surprisingly the cancer was found on the left side only not on the right side where they felt the nodule.

The Urologist recommended surgery or radiation seed implants. Since then I have read every book I can find on the subject as well as every internet sight. I have decided on Active Surveillance and if treatment is needed later Proton Radiation. I have changed my life style and no longer eat red meat and try to stay on a healthy diet.

I am just starting this journey as a PCa survivor and I am thankful for all the men that have shared their experience.

 

UPDATED

July 2010

 

It has been six months since I was diagnosed. I have pretty much stuck to my plan of eating no red meat or dairy products. I do consume soy cheese and soy milk. Ocean fish and occasionally chicken are the only meats I eat. I have fallen off once or twice and had a buffalo burger, but it is rare for me to do so.

The good news is my PSA has fallen to 0.67. There is a disclaimer on the lab report that states that the test was performed using a Roche Diagnostics COBAS 6000. And it went on to say that measurements using different equipment should not be compared.

I am happy with the results and will stay the course until the next test which will occur in six months, then re-evaluate.

 

UPDATED

February 2011

 

 

Hard to believe another six months has gone by. It now has been a year since I was diagnosed and not much has changed. I had a PSA test and as always was nervously awaiting the results. PSA this time was 0.97. Which is slightly elevated from the last test but not enough to alert me or my doctor.

I am following the same routine with supplements and diet although my diet is not as strict as it was right after I was diagnosed. I notice from reading other men's updates that for some of us that seems to be the norm. We start out being very stringent and then as time goes on it seems less important. At least that is what has been happening to me.

I will report again in six months or so.

Paul.

Paul's e-mail address is: peproue@gmail.com