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Steve Jennings lives in Missouri, USA. He was 58 when he was diagnosed in March, 2009. His initial PSA was 4.00 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.

My PSA had been creeping up over the years, 3.2, 3.7, 3.5 and then 4.0 and my GP decided it was time to see a urologist. The urologist did not find anything with the DRE (Digital Rectal Examination), but still thought a biopsy was a good idea. I did not sleep the night before after hearing a number of horror stories from other "friends." It was not nearly as bad as advertised, but still no fun. A follow-up visit was scheduled and my wife and I set down with the doc. He told us the test was "equivocal" as one of six biopsies was positive, but it was less then 5% and "questionable." We scheduled a second biopsy for my birthday. What a present. This time they took 12. I had to remind myself to breathe about number 6 even though it was not painful.

We waited, and waited, I finally called the doctor's office and found out the slides had been sent for a second opinion at John Hopkins. I thought perhaps it was still so equivocal that the first lab could not decide and maybe that was a good sign. Not so. The doctor called a few days later and said three of the 18 biopsies were positive according to both labs. We met a few days later and the urologist went over the options. I had already been reading night and day since the before the results came back from the first biopsy so there was not anything really new. I had read an 85 page paper from John Hopkins, info from M.D. Anderson, and many, many other places. I also discovered this site and talked to others here locally who had or were currently fighting prostate cancer.

I told the urologist that I was interested in the Da Vinci surgery wondering what he would say since they do not do that surgery locally and he does the open procedure. To his credit he said that if that was what I wanted to do he would help make it happen. He gave me a couple of names/places to consider and one place from which to steer clear. He told me I was "shopping" for medical care, to ask lots of questions and if I was not comfortable with the answers to go elsewhere. In short, he was great.

I investigated several doctors/hospitals in the region and decided to visit Dr. Marc Milsten in Tulsa, OK. He has done over 300 of the surgeries in the last three years. In the meanwhile I was able to e-mail with a mentor from this site who had his surgery in Tulsa with Dr. Milsten. That was very helpful.

My wife and I visited with Dr. Milsten on March 13. He answered all our questions, was straight forward, did not make any big promises. We both felt good about him and went ahead and scheduled surgery for April 17. We wished it could be sooner, but that was the first date available.

So now it is one week away. I have been working out hard, trying to get in the best shape possible to make recovery as quick as possible. I wanted to lose some weight, but that has not gone too well. I tend to eat when I feel stressed.

I will update after the surgery. Right now I am going to go pick up two of my grandsons and play with them for a couple of days.

Have a blessed Easter.

Later: My wife and I arrived bright and early (5:45 a.m) Friday April 17 for the scheduled robotic assisted laprascopic prostatectomy. It had been a long wait and I was ready to go.

The staff at St. John's in Tulsa could not have been nicer and I was quickly prepped. Our son and some good friends from home were also there to see me off to the operating room.

The operating room was freezing and I noticed one of the techs had a winter coat on under his surgical attire. I was wide awake and they pointed out the robot lurking in the corner and the console where Dr. Milsten would sit. They had me scoot myself on the table and they got me situated right where they wanted, asked me if I wanted some warm blankets and that is the last thing I remembered until I woke up in the recovery room. My wife tells me the operation lasted about 2 hours and 15 minutes. I was in my room by 11:15 a.m.

There was not a lot a pain, but my stomach felt very full and gassy and that actually continued until about Sunday noon. A number of friends and family came by before Jane and I tried to get some sleep. That was nearly impossible between the IV noise and the noise from the foot squeezing machine on the end of the bed, not to mention the squeezing itself.

They had kept me on a liquid diet on Friday, but they brought in a full breakfast on Saturday. I made the mistake of eating almost all of it. That did not help the gassy feeling in my stomach. An hour or so later they tried to get me up. It was very difficult sitting up and I became extremely light headed and came very close to fainting after walking across the room. They got me back in bed and waited several hours before trying again. This time I didn't faint, but a trip across the room and back was all that I made. They were concerned that my ab drain was draining too much and checked my blood level, which turned out to be fine as was my blood pressure each time they checked.

I pretty much told them I did not want to go home as my wife was going to have to drive me two hours and get me to the bathroom, etc. and in my current state that would be difficult. There were also a series of large storms running right up I-44 where we would be driving. The doctor agreed.

Our second night was much better as I was unhooked from the machines and they only came in twice to check on us. By noon Sunday I had walked twice around the halls and was feeling much better. They took out the ab drain and sent us home about 2 p.m. The trip home was fine as I had taken the advice of one of the YANA mentors and made sure my pain med was in full effect.

The week went by in the blur as I got stronger each day, but did not push anything and followed doctor's orders. My wife and I walked two miles (two trips) on Monday and increased the distance each day to 6 miles on Thursday. The catheter was not fun, but not terrible especially with the help of Jane, who took care of my every need. I basically slept late each morning, read, walked, watched movies, napped and ate.

We went back to the Doctor yesterday (Friday). The pathology report showed more involvement in the prostate then the biopsies had indicated. Up to 70% of the prostate was involved, but most importantly none had reached the margins. That was great news. The catheter removal was not bad, just strange feeling. I go back in three weeks to get my PSA checked. That is the next big marker.

So far my bladder control has been amazing. I have not had an accident yet in over 36 hours. I am still wearing the same pad the doctor gave me. (My wife just told me I have to change it with or without an accident soon) He also started me on one Cialis a day to hopefully promote healing there as well.

I am very happy at this point with the decisions we have made with the treatment and the outcome. We will see what tomorrow brings, but continue to trust God no matter what.

UPDATED

May 2009

I had my one month post surgery check up Tuesday and just received my first PSA reading. It was .04. I am happy with that as my doctor said he would be happy with .04 or lower. He indicated that the second reading in two months is frequently lower.

I continue to feel very good. My bladder control is excellent (no pads since the 4th day post surgery) and am working on the ED with some success after just starting with a low dose of Levitra. I feel like I can take a deep breath for the first time in months.

I am grateful for everyone that shares on this site and especially grateful to Terry for keeping YANA going. I'll update in two months and would be happy to correspond with anyone who has questions and think I might be able to help.

UPDATED

July 2009

I had my slightly more then three month check up (97 days) on July 23 and the doctor was very pleased with my progress. I was even more pleased yesterday when I got a phone call telling me my PSA is 0.02, which was down from 0.04 two months ago.

I continue to have zero trouble with incontinence. The ED is a work in progress, but is progressing.

Physically I feel great. I rode my bicycle 43 miles last Saturday and jogged three miles yesterday. I am currently in dialogue with two friends who are in the diagnosis/pre-treatment portion of this journey and I am grateful for the opportunity to help. One of the first things I did was to direct them to this web site. Thank you Lord, thanks to those who have encouraged and lifted me up in prayer and thanks to Dr. Milsten and his staff.

UPDATED

November 2009

I had my six month check up last Thursday and just received a call from Dr. Milsten's office telling me my current PSA is .01. That is good news as it has declined with each check up .04, .02 and .01.

I continue to have no problems at all with bladder control and sexual function continues to improve.

Physically I have been back at 100% for several months. I am always open to anyone wanting to talk. Blessings to you all.

UPDATED

February 2010

I had my nine month check-up last week. I was surprised to get a call back the next day and my first thought was uh oh, but the lab was just faster then usual and my PSA was a sparkling .01.

I have no incontinence issues and the sexual life is satisfactory and still improving. I don't have to go back for four months.

UPDATED

July 2010

I hit the one year mark on April 17, but the doctor had pushed my next blood test into June because of my good readings. I had to postpone it further because of a funeral and so it was last Tuesday that I finally had my test. The call came Friday and it continued to be good news with a reading of 0.01. I am grateful to God.

UPDATED

November 2010

I just received a call from Dr. Milsten's office and my 18 month PSA reading is 0.01. I was expecting that, but I also do not take it for granted. I am blessed.

UPDATED

March 2011

I will be two years out on April 17 and just received my latest PSA reading which is a sterling 0.01.

I am grateful to Terry and the YANA brothers for the help this web site has been through this journey and for the opportunities it has given me to share with other men.

Blessings to all.

UPDATED

April 2012

April 17, 2012 marked the third anniversary of the Da Vinci surgery I chose to treat my prostate cancer. It was a good decision as my PSA continues to be .01. I have zero problems with incontinence, which has been the case since the catheter was removed a week after the surgery. Sex is not what it once was, but I am 61 and it is still satisfying and fun. I am thankful to God and Dr. Milsten.

UPDATED

May 2013

Greetings,

I recently celebrated the 4-year anniversary of my prostate cancer surgery. Once again my PSA reading was .01. The doctor indicated we would have a party on my fifth anniversary and he would kick me loose if nothing has changed.

Blessings to you all,

Steve Jennings

Steve's e-mail address is: sjennings AT collegepress.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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


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