Watchful Waiting Worked

[Wildandcrazybob]

Nearly 3 yrs ago I chose radiation over radical prostatectomy to halt aggressively growing cancer. My PSA following radiation is now down to .020. I am grateful to my urologist and to those who have advised me and executed an apparently successful procedure. I wish those who are not so fortunate courage and determination. If I didn’t have my PSA checked regularly after discovery of a suspicious nodule and referral to a specialist, I’d probably be dead or on the way to being dead. I am grateful to God.

Bob, Age 73

[Tall_Allen]

It doesn't sound like you were ever on watchful waiting?

[Wildandcrazybob in reply to Tall_Allen]

Limited time and space to tell more of my story. At first in 2012 I subjected myself to the needle biopsies. Then I received evidence I had cancerous tissue. More needle biopsies and PSA testing. Consulted with urologist every six months and watched my PSA slowly rise. Then in 2016 when the rate of PSA rising more rapidly (11+), I was advised to have an MRI-guided biopsy. They found an aggressive form of cancer in an atypical portion of my prostate, and I was counseled to make some critical treatment decisions quickly. I inquired about the “Chevy” (RP) and the “Ford” (RT) and chose the Ford. There was some blood in urine as the 44 radiation treatments progressed, and now 3 years down the road I’m having periods of bright red blood in stool, but my urologist says that’s common, and I find it manageable. The takeaway is: better to address evidence-based prostate cancer early than late.

I am respectfully and sincerely sympathetic to those who are facing serious and desperate measures to hold back this relentless monster to stay alive.

W&CBob

[TEBozo in reply to Wildandcrazybob]

So tough to make the call between RP and radiation therapy. Horror stories are abound after either decision. You are doing great and God bless

[Hidden]

I too had no RP and did RT almost five years ago . Gratitude is a winning hand .. you’re not so wildandcrazybob. You’re doing good . God Bless🙏

[dadzone43]

I am ten months out; I hope I will be able to report the same at three years like you.

[j-o-h-n]

Good news.... keep on watching.... Have you had a colonoscopy recently? If not, consider one...

From Mildandlazyjohn..

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 09/27/2019 5:21 PM DST