YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Richard Phelan and Jan live in Western Australia. He was 55 when he was diagnosed on August 8, 2009. His initial PSA was 0.60 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he does not give his staging it seems likely he was staged T2a. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.


I was referred to a urologist after I complained of nocturnal frequency (2/3 times night). DRE revealed a small "Pea" size lump, and PSA was 0.6ng/ml.

Referred to a Urologist who performed a flexible cystoscopy (bladder) and TRUS biopsy of prostate.

Bladder outcome - superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), grade WHO 1. This was cut out a few months back during an uneventful procedure involving an overnight stay in hospital.

Prostate outcome - adenocarcinoma, tumour length 0.3mm, Gleason 3+3=6. Located in 1 needle of 8.

Low PSA means bugger-all! So, now decided on having traditional Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP) in early November. My thinking is to get rid of the problem whilst it's still confined.

Thanks for everyone's stories, it is certainly valuable and educational reading once you find out you have PCa.

Later: Richard has confirmed that he has decided to go ahead with surgery, Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy.

To be continued ...

 

UPDATED

November 2009

 

 

Had surgery (radical prostatectomy) late October 2009.

Prostate was removed, pathology confirmed that it was confined. Also had a flexible cystoscopy which revealed no regrowth of my previously removed bladder tumor. I experienced very little pain after surgery, and feel I'm recovering well. Had a catheter in for 3 weeks, which wasn't a problem either - a quite a luxury at night.

I was pleasantly surprised with my level of continence once the catheter was removed. Now, 5 weeks after surgery, I'm feeling fine though must wear pads due to small leakage when laughing or doing some other exertion.

First blood test is in a few months (January) before I see my Urologist. I hope my PSA will be 0.0, and hope my water works has improved.

E.D. - nothing yet!

 

UPDATED

January 2010

 

 

Three months after surgery, first PSA test done and it's less than 0.01%

I'm very pleased.

Richard

 

UPDATED

February 2011

 

It's been 13 months since my radical prostatectomy (RP) and removal of the superficial TCC (transitional cell carcinoma) from the bladder.

PSA remains below <0.01, and all clear with the bladder. The six monthly bladder checks have now been extended to 12 monthly checks.

I have no regrets choosing the RP path. I don't have any problems with incontinence, and erections are 9/10 so not quite where things were before the RP.

Rick.

Richard's e-mail address is: richard.phelan@westnet.com.au