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This is his Country or State Flag

Keith Tweed and Alison live in North Carolina, USA. He was 53 when he was diagnosed in July, 2010. His initial PSA was 4.80 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7, and he was staged T1c. His initial treatment choice was External Beam Radiation (Proton Beam) and his current treatment choice is None. Here is his story.

THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2017 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

* PSA jumped from 2.2 June '09 to 4.8 July '10. [This is not, in itself of great concern. PSA levels can change rapidly over a short period of time. Continuous rises may point to prostate cancer being the cause: a single change or a roller coaster history point to some other cause - see PSA 101]
* Free PSA is 13 [This presumably is the free PSA percentage - 13%]
* Biopsy on July 22, 2010 had 1 sample of 12 positive.
* Going in for 1st treatment consultation August 2, 2010.

I don't think my doctor wants me to do a "Watchful Wait"

UPDATED

August 2010

We met with the radiation oncologist from Moses Cone here in Greensboro. We both liked him a lot. He gave us almost two hours of therapy descriptions and answered many questions. He discussed brachytherapy and tomotherapy. Both of which they do at the Cancer Center. He was very excited about they new tomotherapy machine and how very sophisticated it was. However, he has been doing seed implantations (brachytherapy) for over 15 years and had the most confidence in it.

But just to throw us a curve ball he recommended DaVinci RP due to my age...

We just got our package from Florida State U.'s Proton Center. We will update after that conference call.

Later: After a lot of research I came across a new therapy, NanoKnife IRE (Irreversible Electroporation). [This seems to be very much an experimental therapy - quote from one websites says: "As of March 31, 2010, physicians have treated a total of 154 patients in 11 centers around the world, utilizing the NanoKnife IRE System. Procedures have been performed on many different organs, including prostate, liver, lung and pancreas." One of the users is Alfred Hospital in Melbourne Australia but they only have prostate cancer as a projected application.] The simplicity of the physics it employs is what attracted my attention. Basically it "electrocutes" the cancer cells and leaves nerves and blood vessels intact. [In order to achieve this, the two probes used have to be in contact with the tumour. Given the nature of prostate tumours it might be very difficult to identify their precise location] We had a 30 minute conference call with Dr. Jamie Wong from Malizia Clinic in Atlanta. If I had to get treated tomorrow, this would be my choice.

Due to a corrected congenital heart defect I have to get OK'd by a local cardiologist to be cleared as a candidate. If not then "Beam me up with the Proton beam Scottie!" would be my next choice.

UPDATED

September 2010

We are VERY close to committing to NanoKnife® IRE (Irreversible Electroporation) surgery.

The NanoKnife® urologist requested a cardiologist report prior to the procedure as I have on occasion had arrhythmia. Well, turns out, during the echocardiogram I was in atrial fibrillation (rapid heart beat/fluttering). But, my heartbeat was not very arrhythmic, so NanoKnife® can still be performed. Pending review of the echocardiogram.

Just FYI. The first cardiologist I went to who diagnosed the atrial fibrillation prescribed Coumadin (warfarin) for blood clots. He was very cold, not familiar with IRE, and his office staff were there to protect the doctor, not help the patient... I also didn't take the damn Coumadin....

My second opinion doctor was wonderful and was very aware of IRE (Irreversible Electroporation). He gave me an EKG and I was not in atrial fibrillation. He prescribed 325mg aspirin and green tea. He also put me in a 24/7 halter monitor for two weeks to better diagnose my cardio condition.

Apparently I am the only YANA blogger for NanoKnife®. [Hardly surprising, given the very few men who have chosen this therapy around the world!]

We'll keep you posted.

Later: Just got news from Dr. Jamie Wong at the Mailizia Clinic. I am NOT a candidate for NanoKnife due to cardiac concerns. So, my next choice is Proton. University of Florida, Jacksonville. I'm disappointed that NanoKnife is not an option.

I will begin the process for Proton next week - September 27, 2010.

UPDATED

January 2011

Visited U. of Florida's Proton Beam Therapy Institute in early December for initial consult. Wife and I were very impressed with the facility, staff, and the excellent attitude of patients undergoing treatment. Had my 3 day "simulation work up" in early January.

The Doctor felt that I would be a good candidate for the clinical trial hypo-fractionated treatment. Start date was set for February 1, 2011 but we just found out yesterday that I qualified for the clinical trial but I must start treatment January 27.

So, we are packing and looking forward to our over-winter- nuclear-radiation vacation in Jackson. We had no trouble finding a nice place with a short term lease agreement. God Bless to all.

UPDATED

March 2011

Just finished (March 9 2011) my Proton Beam radiation treatment at the U. of Florida Proton Beam Institute in Jacksonville. I was selected for the Hypo-fractionated clinical study. The study is to determine if 29 teatments at higher dose is advantageous over the 39 standard dosage treatments.

First, the staff and facility at UFPTI are absolutely phenomenal! It was a pleasure being part of that experience. They operate at the highest level of professionalism and deliver that with the most couteous and gracious forms of patient respect. A truly wonderful experience. As was often said by many patients there " I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. But, I hope I never have to be treated again."

Bottom line - Very minimal side effects. I have a slight increase in urgency to pee. Mr. Happy is quite happy. ;-) A slight decrease in semen volume - according to Mrs. Happy. Orgasms have changed, not worse or better, just different. Lover's moan as I've come to understand.

I won't have PSA results for a few months. Update then. God Bless to All! And I thank God for UFPTI!

UPDATED

December 2011

I had my six month checkup in mid November at the Univ. of Florida Proton Therapy Institute. Blood work showed my PSA to be 2.0 and Free PSA to be "undetectable". All systems are functioning.

I have noticed that my erections are not as firm as before. Wife says that my ejaculate volume seems about the same, but a little thinner in composition. Doc prescribed Viagra which I have yet to use. My wife says she sees no need for it and would rather I not use it for fear of developing a psychological need.

I still hate those damn DRE's ... But, Doc says all is well and "see you in six months".

UPDATED

April 2013

My apologies for being remiss at updating my status. Life just gets in the way sometimes. ;-)

I just finished my 3 year checkup at U. of Fla Proton Therapy Institute in JAX on Thu Apr 18, 2013.

Doc says I'm doing fine. Gained about 8 lbs since last year - up to 220 lbs. I need to lose 20...

Lab work came back good with a PSA of .85 - yes that is less than 1. :-)

I feel great! I have plenty of energy and happy to say my golf driving distance is back to pre-treatment levels. (Still not that far but I love the game)

The folks at UFPTI are fantastic! Some new faces and some old faces have moved on.

But the place still has that excellent level of professionalism and dedication to the well being of their patients.

I got a call today from a friend of my wife's whose 55 yo brother just got the diagnosis.

His Dr. said "We'll schedule surgery ASAP." He said "OK". When his sister heard this she said
"Whoa!, let's do some research here."

I gave her this website and told her it was where I decided what treatment to go with.

Thanks again YANA! You guys are great!

All for now. God Bless and Keep You Well!

UPDATED

June 2014

Sorry for the length of time between updates. Life happens!

And that is the best news. Life is hyper-normal. My latest PSA from March check up at UFPTI was .37 (that is a decimal in front of the reading).

The folks at Florida Proton Therapy are still performing in a fantastic way.

My side effects are very minimal. Some urgency on urination and bowel.

Manageable and predictable enough to not poop my pants. :-P

According to my Dr. that will get better with time as the tissues thicken.

Mr. Happy is very happy! His only complaint is he's not as firm as he was at 21. :-(

Erections are spontaneous and firm enough for Mrs. Happy. No ED meds neccesary.

However, for me Cialis on occasion is beneficial.

I (We) could not be happier with our treatment choice and results.

Next checkup is in Aug 2014. God Bless All!

UPDATED

September 2015

Just realized it's been almost 5 years to the date of my initial diagnosis. I began my treatment 4 months after diagnosis. We (wife Alsion) and I chose Proton Therapy Treatment at University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute. I discovered UFPTI and Proton through this site during my exhaustive research.

I am delighted to share that my cancer is gone and my life is back to (crazy) normal. :-)

Mr. Happy is quite happy and very capable of firm erections, firm penetrations, and staying firm until orgasm.

Now, to be fair, he's not back to the firmness of pre-treatment. I would say 80-90%.

The ejaculations are several drops of a sticky, light amber/clear fluid. The sensation of "roping" large amounts of semen are gone.

I would also add that as time has gone by the sensation and firmness has improved. I have awoken to a "piss" hard a time or two.

Those really surprised me.8-o

My last visit with my oncology urologist at UFPTI will be next spring (5 years).

I cannot begin to show my thanks and deep appreciation to the folks at UFPTI. If you want to see just how a compassionate world class organization is run visit the in Jacksonville FLA.

God Bless

Keith's e-mail address is: keith AT tradingleg.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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


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