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

I was diagnosed at 52 following a routine physical with my regular showed a PSA of 4.98. and confirmation of cancer following a biopsy. This was March 07. My Gleason score was 6, and stage T1C.

I decided to wait, and do some research before making a decision on treatment. For me, due to my age, I knew I was going to do something. I didn't want to be looking over my shoulder the rest of my life worrying about prostate cancer. I got my PSA re-checked in October, and it had gone up to 7.9. At that point I started getting pretty serious.

I pretty much ruled out the surgery early on due to the recovery time, and potential erectile complications. I started homing in on radiation options, and visited Emory in Atlanta, and Univ of Florida Proton Center in Jackson Florida. I liked what I read about proton therapy (less damaging to other organs, etc.), and was accepted into the program. The program director at UF, as all the doctors I met with were good at doing, reviewed my options with me, and told me I would be a good candidate for seed implantation as well.

I started looking more seriously at brachytherapy, and started liking what I was reading more and more, mainly due to studies that showed it was as effective as surgery in cure rates, and seemed to have less erectile complications. I found a Radiation Oncologist in Florida who I met with and liked - he had good success with seeds, and seemed to be using latest seed placement technology. I had brachytherapy in Feb of 08, with Iodine seeds.

Since the procedure, I have had the following PSA readings:

Sep 08 - 1.92;
Dec 08 - 1.89;
Mar 09 - 2.14;
Jul 09 -1.90

I have asked my Dr why it isn't lower, and he explained that Iodine radiation takes longer, and it could be up to 3 years before it goes down, but should get down to about zero eventually.

As far as side effects...I have had the usual, some incontinence and urgency for first few months, and it got better after about 8 months. Still have some bladder urgency and a little burning when I urinate. Bowel movements are also slightly different, but not bad. Meaning, before I had surgery, I was a once a day kind of guy. That has changed. I now have at least 2 BM's a day, which is not bad, just different.

About the sex thing, I do use Viagra now, and it works for me - have to be careful with dosage, but it definitely works. Also notice I still have some semen with orgasm almost 1½ yrs later, which is cool. The orgasms are still intense and satisfying.

I am updating my results since my last posting. It is Dec 12, 2009.

I am currently experiencing a PSA rise since my July 09 reading which was 1.9 and pretty consistent with other tests, since my initial treatment in Feb 2008. My September 09 reading increased to 2.6, and my November reading increased to 3.2

I did a lot of reading on this PSA 'bounce', and the stuff I read seems to suggest this happens about half the time. While I am optimistic this is a temporary bounce, it certainly does make you look over your shoulder.

I am graphing my PSA results and will retest in Feb 10 2010.

Just wanted to add an update to my story. I haven't posted in awhile, and thought it might help those who are looking into options.

I am now at three years since I did my brachytherapy treatment, Feb 2008. Still hard to believe. My PSA has dropped to 0.47 which is good I guess. It is still in decline, but I would certainly like it to be 'zero'. Not there yet.

As far as side effects, about the only thing I deal with now is bladder urgency, so I am careful about what, when and how much I drink. I have learned to adjust for the most part, don't want to take any medication for this, I just deal with it. Brachytherapy definitely requires patience, and monitoring, but at this point, I don't regret my decision.

One thing I have noticed is I have had a gradual improvement in semen output. It was almost nothing, and in some cases there was nothing when I had as orgasm up to about a year ago, but has gradually increased. Weird, but not complaining. Makes me feel a little more back to my old self. I thought it would go away and not come back. I use viagra, but not all the time.

Anyway, if you guys want some more detail, feel free to contact my at my email address. Good Luck!

Hey all, I have not updated for a year, so wanted to share latest with me. I am at 4 years now, and latest PSA was 0.4, which is lowest for me since brachy in 2008. Had a physical recently and doc decided to check out my prostate, said it was 'nice and flat'. Just some FYI on the sex side. Still having orgasms, but not always during sex..maybe age, maybe radiation, maybe combination of both. Erections still good. Could be better, but they do come..sometimes with some viagra help, but I'll take it. I do have some bladder urgency now, harder to hold it when I gotta go, but I have learned to adjust. Coffee definitely an irritant, so drink a little bit less now. It's not the worse thing in the world considering. Keep on gettin those exams!

I am currently experiencing a PSA rise since my last post. My PSA was tested in Jan 2013, and had risen to 1.0. Checked again just this month and was 1.2. My lowest PSA post treatment was 0.4, and that occurred in Jan 2012. I am now 5 years post treatment, and a little disappointed to be honest. Not sure if this is sign of failure yet, going to check it again in June.

Mike's e-mail address is: croley2682 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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