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This is his Country or State Flag

Bryan Jones and Tia live in Western Australia. He was 49 when he was diagnosed in October, 2007. His initial PSA was 3.30 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6, and he was staged T1c. His initial treatment choice was Surgery (Robotic Laparoscopic Prostatectomy) and his current treatment choice is None. Here is his story.

THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

I was diagnosed with a PSA of 3.3 in October 2007 in Brisbane when having a yearly medical check up. My prostate was normal size.

The doctor recommended that I wait one month and then have a further PSA. This I had done in Jakarta Indonesia with a result of 4.99. I was referred to get a biopsy in Singapore on the 22nd November 2007. Results came back as positive with Adenocarcinoma Gleason 3+3. in core R2. I then had a MRI and CT scan which where both clear.

After much consideration and some detailed investigation into the options available to me I decided to have a robotic radical nerve sparing prostatectomy at Melbourne Epworth hospital which was performed by Prof Anthony Costello on the 5th December 2007. My choice was based on the number of operations he had done and that he has a substantial department focused on doing these operations on an ongoing basis.

The operation was successful taking just over 2.5 hours. I was out of bed and walking in a day and was out of hospital and walking around Melbourne with a catheter in three days. I took a month off over the Xmas period which I would strongly recommend as a sensible thing to do as this period is needed to get yourself back on track. The first month is difficult with the incontinence. I did however travel 15 hours from Indonesia to South Africa by air on the 20th December 2007 and was quite OK using Tena Mens pants.

I am now just over 3 months after the op and have nearly full control of my bladder. Reasonable control was achieved after 2 months. My advise is to try and carry on as normal a life as possible during this time as it will come right sooner than you think. Impotency is an issue but sex can still be great with the right attitude to the problem and an understanding partner. Feeling is not an issue. In fact orgasm is more intense than prior to the operation.

Hope this experience helps. The choice I took was definitely the right one for my situation and age. My PSA two months after the operation was 0.002. Surgical Margins are clear.

UPDATED

August 2009

My current situation is that after a year and a half I am enjoying all of the things I used to do prior to the op.

A year ago my wife and I moved to Bratislava in Central Europe. It is a wonderful place for cycling and we go on regular trips of 50+ KM in a day. I also have had the opportunity of getting back into my windsurfing which is a great sport to keep fit.

The only issues now remaining are a slight loss of bladder control if I have a couple of drinks in the evening and some very light loss of bladder control if I lift very heavy items. One thing that I have learned is to use normal woman's pads with wings in the evening when I want a drink or two and this allows me to relax and enjoy the evening without any fear of a slight leak at any time.

Sex is good and I now have full function back. All told I am enjoying life every bit as much as I did before the op.

Hope this gives you some hope that with early detection and the right treatment the issue of prostate cancer can be just another challenge that can be overcome.

UPDATED

February 2011

I am currently living in Perth Australia. It is a wonderful area for outdoor activities and I am riding bicycles and walking every week and continue with wind surfing as much as I can.

Minor bladder leakage still continues when I have a drink when entertaining or lifting heavy items. This is very easly handled using "Stayfree Ultra Thin light wing pads". I would recommend doing this as it allows you to relax and enjoy yourself while having a drink.

Otherwise life is great with very little difference to prior to the operation.

Hope this helps Bryan.

UPDATED

April 2012

I'm currently living in Brisbane. Recent PSA in February was undetectable. I am riding and walking as much as possible while carring on a very busy business life with a large amount of travel. My minor issue of bladder leak when after a drink or during long walks or heavy lifting is easily handled using stay free light winged pads. My life is really not affected by the op now. 4 years after the op and all is well.

UPDATED

August 2013

5 year mark passed with no cancer. All is well and I am enjoying life.

Bryan's e-mail address is: tiajones2006 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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


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