THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.
I had a 12 needle biopsy performed on October 25, 2010. I sat down with my urologist on November 2, 2010. He informed me that my disease had been caught as early as it can be caught. He encouraged me to consider surgery.
I want to make a decision that has the fewest potential long term side effects that interferes the least with my job. I visit a radiation oncologist tomorrow morning. I plan on getting two surgical opinions. I am told that even with robotic surgery, I am still looking at being off of work for a week faced with wearing a catheter. I'm not a workaholic, I just need my income for us to live.
Radiation is less intrusive. Both options are said to have equal opportunity to cause long term side effects.
So, there it is. Choices to be made. Realities to be faced.
I'm five radiation sessions away from graduation. I'm using Tomotherapy offered through Artesian Cancer Center in Oklahoma City.
I'm very exhausted towards the end of this ordeal. My oncologist tells me I have a 95% chance of complete recovery. My treatment team is doing a good job of helping me manage the side effects. For me that's been urinary tract and lower gastrointestinal irritation. I think I've grown a little depressed as treatment progressed. I seem to cry easier than I did before, but I don't see that as a negative thing.
All in all, this could be very much worse than it has been. My heart and prayers go out to all the men fighting this disease.
Ron
I had my 18 month follow up with my radiation oncologist recently. She has given me a good prognosis. There are some sexual side effects related to radiation, but all in all, I'm doing very well. My pre-treatment PSA was five. I think it's important for all men to know that they may have prostate cancer but they ARE NOT the disease. It doesn't have to own anyone.
I am nearly two years past my last radiation treatment. I am doing fine. My radiation oncologist used the word remission in my last visit. I am glad I chose radiation instead of surgery. My side effects have been minimal at best.
Ron's e-mail address is: rm55_ok AT cox.net (replace "AT" with "@")
NOTE: Ron has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.