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I am a 4 year prostate cancer patient and survivor . There is a lot I could write here but I will just keep it mostly to the facts and my treatment history.
It was April 2005 and I was 48 years old and in great physical condition. I felt great. In anticipation of my 49th birthday in May 2005 I had a physical. My doctor proclaimed me "fit as the proverbial horse". Then a few weeks later he sent me a note saying my PSA test came back with an elevated result of 6.2. I followed up in August 2005 with an urologist. Needle biopsy was performed in September 2005, 10 of 12 samples were positive with prostate cancer Gleason’s grade of 8 (4+4). Two of the samples showed minor amounts of Gleason grade 5. Clinical diagnosis was cT2a. I elected to have surgery to remove the prostate gland and all of its cancerous tumors.
On December 13, 2005 I had a radical prostatectomy. The post surgical pathology report indicated multiple tumors involving the entire prostate, with an extra capsular extension (right posterior). Gleason’s grade 7 (4+3) and tertiary Gleason grade 5, positive surgical margin (right posterior), invasion of the seminal vesicles (Staging pT3b however in November 2007 my slides were re-read and they discovered cancer in one of the lymph nodes. pT3b N1,MX). This was not the outcome I was hoping for from the surgery.
In February 2006 I had my first follow up visit with the surgeon. All healed fine and recovering well from the surgery but a PSA test revealed an elevated PSA level of 0.11. The doctor informed me that this was considered a recurrence and recommended I see a radiation oncologist. Ok I really did not want to hear that news!!
I had salvage radiation consisting of 40 treatments which commenced in April 2006 and were completed in June 2006. I tolerated the radiation well. I was able to workout during the treatments, in fact I finished 2nd in my age group in a sprint triathlon 3 days after completing radiation.
Since June 2006 I have been under the care of a medical oncologist. By the middle of 2007, it had become clear that I have a systemic disease or as it sometimes known Advanced Prostate Cancer (sounds bad but it is not really that bad or at least I hope not).
I took a 18 month break from any treatment after the radiation was completed. I could have began hormone therapy in June 2006 but decided to wait to see how (or if) my cancer progressed. I took this break in treatment as an opportunity to attempt one of my life goals. Participating in and completing an ironman distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike followed by a full marathon run). Although I had been participating in triathlons for 20 plus years I had not done an ironman distance event. It takes a lot of time to train for an ironman event (20-30 hours per week). I completed my first ironman distance triathlon in October 2007. In November and December my PSA began rising very rapidly (not a good sign) and it was time for more treatment.
January 2, 2008 I began combined chemotherapy (taxotere) and ADT (hormone therapy). This is a semi-experimental treatment protocol which is currently in Phase III clinical trials for FDA approval.
I finished the chemotherapy in May 2008 and I plan to remain on the ADT until June 2009. I did manage to workout consistently throughout the chemotherapy, although not nearly at the level or intensity of my normal routines. Since I stopped the chemo I feel much better. The ADT slows me down and limits my endurance but not nearly as bad as it was on the chemo. My PSA is currently at an undetectable level. Let’s hope it stays there.
I completed my treatments in the end of January 2009. My doctor let me off ADT early for good behavior. So far so good!!!
My family has been outstanding and a great help to me. They have provided support to me when I needed it and given me my space when I needed that as well. I know it is really difficult for them to go through this journey with me. I am lucky to have a great family.
If you have any questions please email mail at the address below.
William B. Manning Email wmannin2@optonline.net |