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

My Father and Grandfather both died of Prostate cancer. In 2004 my brother, aged 55 and seven years older than me had a PSA of 3.9 ng/ml with a history of PSA ranging from 1.9 ng/ml to 2.25 ng/ml and back to 1.9 ng/ml then a sudden jump in one and a half years time to the 3.9 ng/ml. It was discovered he had prostate cancer with a Gleason of 4-5 unsure as of now. He chose the Cryotherapy and is due for PSA 1/12/05.

I went to my family Doctor who did a physical and said everything seemed ok but with a PSA of 5.9 ng/ml I needed to see a Urologist. The new Doctor said Biopsy, so they took some (I think eight) and they came back unsure but with what seemed to be changing cells. That was early October.

Then on December 30th 2004 I had the second biopsy - 22 samples and one asperation and two stop breathing! Wow, did I have fun... Well the Dr calls January 7th 2005 to inform me the upper right was malignant cancer and that scattered around on the left side are precancerous cells. We are scheduled to meet with him January 12, 2004.

After study all weekend I know the first step I see is to find if it is localized or not. I came across some information that seems to cross off bone scan and cat scan since bone needs a PSA of 10 ng/ml or more and CAT needs a PSA of 20 or higher to find if it has spread. Will confirm that in a few days.

So I guess I am ready for NEXTTTTTTTTT

I have decided upon having LRP done and have met with the surgon who will do this. He seems to have performed the most LRP in Texas and after meeting with him I am comfortable with him doing the work. I don't know the date of the Surgery yet just know it will be in April before he can get to me. But having a good Dr is worth the wait on this call. I still have apprehension on this since I am the sole finance providor to my family but still it needs to be done. I will just have to work harder to get well faster.

I still have no signs of the cancer causing me problems and have had the bone scans CAT scans and chest X-ray. I currently have a cold that has to clear before surgery and have sleep apnea so they will be ready for that part. I am to have the surgery on either a Wed, Thur or a Friday and the following Tuesday will be too quick so a week following that Tuesday will have my catheter removed. Then the retraining begins. Already am starting to work on Kegals but will see what happens.

LRP was done on me April 14, 2005 and I was in the Hospital until about 7pm April 15 and was able to be driven home.

I am experiencing the thoughts like - sure happy my wife is not a catheter. I'm semi working at the home... where else can one be in their robe and still greet customers? ok ok there is hugh but not going there...

I am to be back for the catheter removal on 26 April and will hear about the Pathology. But with the prostate being soft the Doctor said he feels good about it... I now know this also is not a very good plan for weight loss - way to much pain lol

Will keep you informed.

This is now 5 weeks after surgery I am due back July 19 with a PSA in hand to review progress.

I am in the 50/50 to wait to see if I am cancer free or not. I am basically dry - I sleep most of the night with one to two get up times sleep ranges from 3 hours to 7 hours without a problem now. I have had sneezes with no problem but still using the front pad just in case. One pad will last one day basically and thrown away dry. From what I hear that is good news.

Sexually 12 days after surgery was given a bag of Cialis and viagra to test and try... lol waiting on wife to have time so I can..... I did experience that when you take care of yourself there is no mess eat your heart out M&M LOL

Well I am back to 100% work with some days of being tired but is far better than my fears I had. Computer customers would not wait they brought their computers to me to fix when I was not travelling... I now know I am allergic to pain and catheters. I sure thank Burt and Connie for their support during this time.

After the last two PSA are showing no problem I have chosen to not do anything else and go on with life, family and work.

My wife and I have spoken about should the cancer come back into other areas of my body I am taking the option or quality of life over quantity. We have friends that were enduring one surgery after another making the doctors very wealthy but while the length of time on earth was increased the time to be up and about and enjoying the family and friends was shredded.

The step of having the prostate removed which ended up 25% cancer was a good step. the follow up of PSA was good now it is time to go get busy in life and enjoy my wife, kids, and grand kids.

I am open to talk to any who are looking at what treatment I do feel that I chose the right one for me.

Just had my 2 year after surgery PSA test it was a 0.2 ng/ml which is very good. Good control of bladder ZERO accidents and now for the last 3 months have had no need of Viagra or anything else to keep an erection. I plan on doing another PSA in 1 to 2 years then one at 5 years out to see where I stand.

I have received many emails and calls dealing the my choice of surgery and the life after. While many have not received to this level I am I guess one who did.

I had surgery in April 2005 and now I have no need for Viagra or any other meds or injections (never would I do that to that part LOL ) I am allergic to pain.... but hey I do still have my humor.. While keeping a very low PSA of .005 and no lasting side effect from the surgery I have full control of my needing to go with zero leakage and also have full erectile function with either visual physical or mental stimulation with no meds of any kind needed. Life is as it was before with no mess.

As always I welcome people who are thinking and having worries to be open and call or e-mail anyone and not face this alone. I had great mentors and wish to be able to offer the same to others. I now am over 3 years past cancer surgery and am doing great.

Wife and I continue our weekly date night and periodic romantic getaways for a few days at a time... sex is not what it was but in some ways it is better since we both take our time and enjoy every moment that we have. Fear is gone and life goes one...

Trust in God He will see you through and it also helps to have friends to talk to.

All seems normal now. I am incontinence free and have been for over four years now and all seems normal with life.

Came back to look up data on the original scale and PSA; at the time of my surgery

It is very hard to get life insurance when you survive from Gleason 7 and pathology stage T2c diagnosis. Eight years out isn't enough.

I have been having struggles getting life insurance and with the current policy expiring in 2017 feel it is time to work on this project. the denials are based upon a lab gleson of 7 instead of the gleason 6 my dr informed me of at sugery. The denials seem to be based upon the fact that I did not do radiation therapy proposed on a follow up to my surgery dr. Even when submitted notes where I went to the Radiology Dr who said my PSA; was low stable and I was not in need for this therapy at this time. Should my PSA; rise a point then I need to return. But Lincoln Ins doesn't care about this. I did find that I can convert this policy if I can't find better and they have to give me the rate I was at the time of this policy issueing which is before the cancer was discovered. But there are also some companies that only look at a 10 year health window and on April 15 2015 I can answer that I have no history in the last 10 years. If any have suggestions on this area please let me know... I do still get up off and on during the night but I have full control I just need to learn to not drink fluids a few hours before I go to sleep. lol I make a major Mission trip in October that will really be a test since the last few years I have suffered from very low energy and fall to sleep anywhere. If I survive this then it will be a plus side for me. If I don't well I don't need to worry about new Life insurance nor the 10 year mark lol.... Humor does help.

I am now a 10 year cancer survivor and go overseas to do mission work as well as preach every Sunday and do jail Ministry on Tuesdays. I continue to do computer repair with no after effects. I have recommended my doctor and the Lyproscopic surgery as the results are great. There were a few months of issues as you can read but now I move on with Life. I did have issues getting a new 20 year term policy but after a full body bone scan and being catogorized as cancer free. They finally issued the policy. I can tell you it does take its toll on the marriage but To God be true we are better and worse and one day death will choose to part us.

Paul's e-mail address is: frenchc1 AT aol.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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