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YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

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Rich B and Elaine live in Ohio, USA. He was 53 when he was diagnosed in April, 2006. His initial PSA was 2.47 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 2017 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

In September of 2005 I was in for my yearly physical and the Doctor finished up with the DRE. It seem to me that he had done it rather quickly. And just as fast he said he would like me to see a urologist. "Its probably nothing, but just to be safe". My PSA came back at 2.6 ng/ml.

I made an appointment for October 12th. It was his first appointment of the day. He did a DRE and said I should have a biopsy. And if I wanted he could do right then. I said "I don't think so, I running the Columbus Marathon the next Sunday." So we set an appointment for November 3. Great day to do a biopsy, its my birthday.

I was there at the appointed time and he took 12 samples. Next was the wait, and mentally it was terrible. But on November 11 my wife and I were back in the Doctor's office for the results. "Good News you don't have cancer" BUT "what you have are PIN cells which could become cancer" So he wants to see me back in three more months for another biopsy. Great!

So I go back in three months to find out they don't take the health insurance that I'm with. I said OK I'll get a second opinion. Don't you just hate that. I then call The Ohio State University's James Cancer Center. I got and appointment for a consultation with a Dr Patel. I had all the records sent to the university for his review before my appointment. When I went for the consultation he also did a DRE and said based on the lab results he felt I should have another PSA test and biopsy. So down to the lab for the blood work. This was the end of March and the appointment was set for April 5, 2006 for the biopsy.

I went in about 9:00am and the nurse did all the prep work. This time they used a numbing gel whereas the last doctor gave me injections to numb the area. The procedure did not take to long and was a little better than the first time (because I knew what was coming). I ask the doctor how many he was going to take and he said 20. "Holy Cow if it is as big as a walnut there won't be anything left, It will look like a piece of baby Swiss cheese." His response was "You don't want to have to do it again do you?" Good point Doc.

He ended up only taking 17 samples. Still a lot in my mind. After he was done he said what we will do is have you come back for blood test about every three months to monitor my PSA. He really gave me the impression that he was not going to find anything. Then on Saturday April 8th about 10:00 in the morning his nurse called me at work and said "I've got good news and bad news, the bad news is you have cancer, the good news is you will probably live another 30 years." I could not think straight. I did know what to do. The nurse said get it out get rid of it. I call Elaine. After work I went home and we had a good cry and then started to think about options. I got on the Internet and man o man what a lot of information. That's how I got to this site. This site has been the best for support.

I have talked with different doctors and feel that the best route for me to go at my age is the robotic surgery. The tentative date is August 22. I will keep you posted.

Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Rich

UPDATED

November 2006

My three month update since my surgery. I have been thinking about an update but with out going to the get my blood work there has not been much to report. Things are going as they should. I had surgery on Tuesday August 22, it took about an hour and fifteen minutes. After surgery the Doctor said that it was a bit difficult to remove the nerves. On a scale of 1 to 5 he said it was a 4. That was a bit concerning, but the path report came back that the cancer was contained. On the following Monday I was back to the hospital to have the catheter removed. I'm sorry that just was not any fun at all. Initially I was going through about 3 to 4 pads a day. Things are gradually getting better as I am down to one pad at the most. When I saw the Dr. he told me to get rid of the pads that I could go backwards, in that I would become dependent on them. So when I got home from the Dr's office I got rid of the pad and with in about 30 minutes I had a nice spot on the front of my pants, so back with the pads.

I had gone to an appointment with the ED Dr and one of the interesting things with me was exactly two weeks to the day after surgery I woke up with an EMB better known as an "Early Morning Boner". I called the Dr and the nurse said to take a cold shower that it was to early to start having any sex. So I held off, I have had quite a few days that I have woke up with the same situation. I have had some sex with the wife and some times its usable and sometimes not. Back to what I said earlier about the difficulty the Dr had with the nerves, he is an artist when it comes to saving the nerves. God bless him.

I am glad I had the surgery. Although I was at a very early stage I don't think that I could have done the W&W. I would have been a basket case. This was right for me. I am lucky to live in Columbus, home of The Ohio State University and the James Cancer Center. Dr Vipul Patel was my surgeon.

I sincerely want to thank everyone who have contacted me and the ones I have contacted, "you guys are the best". Also thanks to the web master for making this site work so well. If anyone has questions please don't hesitate to email me.I will update after my next Dr appt. in about three months.

UPDATED

March 2007

A quick update, After six months post op I am about 98 to 99 % continent. I am very very fortunate to have very limited ED issues. Dr Patel said I just need to do a PSA test in 3 months and to see him in 6. I feel very lucky but it still weighs on my mind. I have been doing yoga, meditation and becoming more watchful on what I eat. I will be attending a seminar with Dr Deepak Chopra and Dr David Simon in Florida for a week. Dr Simon wrote a book "Return to Wholeness" that I am currently reading regarding recovering from cancer. Seems to be very good. I would recommend it.

I will update in 6 months after my meeting with Dr Patel at Ohio State University James Cancer Center.

Thanks again for everyone's support

UPDATED

June 2007

My nine month blood check was a week ago on June 12,2007. I waited a couple of days and did not hear from the Dr. which was a little concerning, but no news is good news. So I called and received a call back the next day from the nurse. She said once again everything is fine and you are still at less than 0.08 which is as low as they can detect. So, in other words it is undetectable.

I have been runnig and am back up to speed but I don't seem to be losing any weight. I hope to do the Marine Corp Marathon in the fall, actually 128 days from today. I see the Dr for my yearly check in September. I will update at that time.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's support.

By the way my week with Deepak and David was great, good rest, good food and good meditation. The meditation has be great for my head. Take care email me if I can help in anyway.

UPDATED

October 2007

I just had my one year check up and things look good. I am 99% continent and I do not have any ED issues. I am very very fortunate.

My PSA is at an undetectable level of less than 0.08 ng/ml, which is as low as the lab can go.

I am on pace to run the Marine Corp marathon in Washington DC on October 28, 2007. I am hoping to complete it in about four hours. if you would like to check out my time my number is 13666.

Rich.

UPDATED

April 2008

Last month I had my annual physical and they did a PSA which came back at less than less than 0.01, which is lower than the lab at Ohio State University. I would say I am back to about 98.9% of were I was before surgery.

The only real issue is every once in awhile I will drip. Most of the time it will happen if I fantisize about sex. But there are no real ED issues and I feel very lucky for that.

I continue to run to keep my weight down and BP under control. I don't go back until Fall for my next PSA and then if everything is OK I will only have to go back annually. I am blessed.

UPDATED

October 2008

Well its been a tad over 2 years and my PSA has not varied coming back at >0.08. I am schedule to run a half marathon and I feel good. Just need to keep my head on straight.

I have 99% bladder control, so I am happy with that and no real ED problems although it does take manual stimulation to get it to the point of penetration.

I will now update on a yearly basis, but please if anyone has questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Good Luck, God Bless and remember "You are not alone".

Rich

UPDATED

January 2010

Sorry it has taken so long to update. I have procrastinated on getting my physical and blood work. I should have done it at the three year mark of surgery which was in August of 09.

I finally had a physical in November and the test results for my PSA came back at less that 0.01. A different lab did the blood work up so the results are different from my last test. Does not matter it is still undetectable. I also completed my 5th marathon in October of 09 with a personal best of 4 hours 9 minutes. I know I can make it under 4 hours, this Fall for sure.

I have been very lucky in a number of areas. One I am 99% continent and with stimulation I have no problem with an erection. I don't know if this happens to anyone else but if I fantasise about sex I will leak a little bit. I wear Jockey brand briefs that are made of a wicking material that keeps me dry if this happens.

My New Year resolution is to try and eat more raw foods, fruit and veggies. I wish everyone a healthy and safe new year. Namaste.

PS If you have questions or concerns you can contact me. Please put YANA in the subject line.

UPDATED

April 2011

Thanks everyone for reading my story. I have been very lucky in that there has been no detection of any cancer or and upswing in my PSA. I have done a couple of marathons since surgery and continue to run.

One thing I don't think I have mentioned in the past is when having sex I sometime will leak urine. After reading a few stories I realize this is not an unusual occurrence. [This is termed climacturia and may occur in more than fifty percent of men who have prostate surgery.] I am also fortunate that I do not have a problem getting an erection that allows me to have intercourse.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns about where you are with your journey.

Sincerly, Rich.

UPDATED

January 2013

It has been a couple of years since an update. The surgery in 2006 has been successful. I have riding in Pelotonia the last 3 years which is 180 miles over two days. I have been very lucky, please feel free to contact me with any question regarding my diagnosis or surgery.

Rich

UPDATED

March 2015

A quick up date as to my status. I'm still non-detectable and feel great. No serious side effects to speak of, if I drink beer I need to wear a pad, I just plan ahead for that,no big deal. I'm very frustrated with the fact that people are still dieing. I've been evolved with Pelotonia for over 6 years with is a grass roots effort to raise money at The James Cancer Hospital, Richard Solove Cancer Research Center. Please visit the Pelotonia.Org for additional info. This is the largest single cycling event in the country. Thank you so much for reading my post and please feel free to contact me.

UPDATED

April 2016

I'm still here at 63 and all side effects are minimal. Still running and biking with a schedule this fall of a 180 ride to raise money for cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk.

Rich B

Rich's e-mail address is: richbroderick AT columbus.rr.com (replace "AT" with "@")

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


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