THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2016 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

Since I have benefited quite a bit emotionally from this site in the last 2 weeks by reading all the open experiences from other Men with this disease, I thought it only fair that I chime in as well, to hopefully bring some comfort to someone else facing this problem.

I have been going to a Urologist for the past 7 years annually for the prostate check-up as prostate cancer runs in my Dad's family. My Dad was 75 when his was diagnosed, but he a brother in his mid-50s when it was found. So, my PSA had been ranging between .36 to .45 as checked each March and DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) check not finding any concerns. In late October of this year started having some symptoms of what I thought was either BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) or a bladder infection. Went in to see the Urologist and he checked my Urine for an infection and did the DRE, both tests were fine. Then, he decided to run another PSA before I left the office, though my PSA in March 2011 was fine at .43, it came back as 2.7 and he felt that since the Urine check was clear of infection, that a biopsy was a good idea given my family history.

Biopsy involved taking 16 core samples from the peripheral area of the prostate which was not comfortable to say the least as no numbing agent was used prior to the biopsy gun being fired 16 times. Results were that 1 core on the right side of my prostate had 15% cancer involvement.

Urologist recommended surgery to just get it out of there and be sure that no further cancer involvement was evident as confirmed with the gland post removal pathology. Robotics was my preference if surgery was the route I agreed to take.

After getting the biopsy results news, I went home and started doing the obvious web search to better understand what I was up against and hopefully help me decide what to do. In the meantime I made an appointment to get a 2nd opinion at the University of Washington Prostate Cancer Center.

Met with the University of Washington Dr. on December 14, 2011, he told me that the pathology report from my initial biopsy was confirmed as a Gleason 3+3=6 score by the University pathology department as well. After a long discussion on options we decided to take the active surveillance route for the next 6 months and see what a repeat biopsy in May with a little more saturation of core samples shows. In the meantime any diet/supplement tips etc. would be much appreciated, check back with an update in May 2012. [Some tips are available here Myers Management]

Just had another PSA test done which came back at 0.93, also had a Free/Total PSA ratio done which was 25%, as well as a Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) that number was 0.90. Based on what I have learned from this website as well as some others, am inclined to request the upcoming biospy in June be delayed until fall. As the combination of test results & low initial biospy grade seem to justify waiting a year rather then 6 months for a repeat of an unpleasant procedure. Like alot of you have already stated this website really helps to bring some reasonable perspective going forward after the cancer diagnosis puts one in a tail spin, thanks to you Terry & all who participate in this forum. Will provide another update within a few months, take care!

It's been a while to recap, on November 2011 went to urologist for a urination urgency problem everything came out fine except my PSA was 2.7 up from .43 when I had it checked in March 2011 as part of my annual prostate exam. Urologist immediately scheduled me for a biospy with 14 cores taken, 13 were benign & 1 had 15% volume 3+3=6 gleason score. Since that time I have chosen not to have another biospy but have had 2 more PSA/Free PSA tests done, #1 in April 2012 came back at PSA .93/Free PSA 25%, #2 in January 2013 came back at PSA .89/Free PSA 27%, essentially on active surveillance less another biospy. Only recurring prostate symptom is a little rectum pain after some bowel movements, I think may be related to prostate being 35cc or so. slightly enlarged at time of November 2011 biospy. Considering a color doppler ultrasound with Dr. Tamburi as he comes up from California to Washington in March for a couple of days to do this procedure.

Just had another PSA & Free PSA check done, the PSA is .80 & the Free PSA was 40%, so the PSA was down a little from a .89 in January & Free PSA was up from 27% checked in January as well. I am probably due for another biospy as it has been 18 months since my original diagnosis of Gleason 6 in 1 of 14 cores checked, but I am thinking of signing up for a color doppler ultrasound in place of a repeat biospy given my current PSA & Free PSA trend. Have been experiencing a little pain in the rectum area after a bowel movement & wonder if that might be related to an enlarged prostate condition, that may have triggered the original PSA spike from .43 (1/2011 annual check) norm baseline to 2.7 (10/2011). Normally, would have waited until January 2012 for annual check, but was having some urine frequency issues in October 2011 which triggered a visit to the Urologist. Will update in a few months when I decide which route to go next, any input is appreciated, thanks!

Well its been a year or so since my last update, just got my latest PSA & Free PSA results from a recent physical in June. PSA was .75 & Free PSA was 33%, my previous readings in January of this year were PSA .98 & Free PSA 31 %. I have been putting off another biopsy since the initial one done at diagnosis in November 2011, but will probably have a color doppler MRI or biospy this fall. But, have to say given my trend of PSA readings in the last couple years & negative DREs, not sure there is any signs of a cancer that is on the move. Although, I was told by a urologist a saw last fall, that the only way to be sure is a repeat biospy, which gave me some unpleasant side effects for a while when it was done in 2011. Will probably give another update early next year, best to all of you!

Just had my PSA & Free PSA checked in February of this year, PSA was .75 & Free PSA was 33%, some may think I might be taking a risk given my initial diagnosis back in November of 2011 at age 55 as noted in my story. But, I am taking a wait & see approach to signing up for any further invasive tests or treatments on this journey given what has transpired in the last 3 years or so relevant to my PSA & Free PSA blood marker numbers. Also, no real problems with urination frequency or other issues at this point. Will have another PSA done in the fall as well if the numbers start to change in the wrong direction or some other symptom comes into play will take action at that point. Not very pleased with my initial Urologist's recommendation to have the surgery given my diagnosis details at that time, this site has helped me to get smarter on my own & make sensible decisions for me going forward, thanks for that!

Tom's e-mail address is: tomjfreet AT comcast.net (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Tom has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.