Allred - Prostate Cancer - The Rest of The Story

PROSTATE CANCER – THE REST OF THE STORY

By Ray ALLRED

     I must first acknowledge the accuracy of Dick DARCY’S reporting on his experience with this disease.  Second, I would like to elaborate a little on that report and then take the reader one more important step in the world of "stay alive and in good health".

     My choices for treatment were 1.  Do Nothing, 2.  Surgically remove the Prostate, 3.  Seed Implants, and 4.  Direct Radiation, as Dick had done.  Now lets talk about each of the choices that were offered to me by the Head of Surgery here at Brooke Army Medical Center here in San Antonio, Texas.

     First, Do Nothing.  The argument put forth by the medical community was that this type of cancer was so slow growing that, depending on your age and other health issues, to do nothing just might be the best choice for some.  Perhaps so, but that shoe did not fit me.

     Second, Surgery.  The Chief of Surgery was quick to point out that he was a surgeon and he believed that the best treatment was to cut the problem out.  Of course, there are many downsides to this procedure.  Here again that shoe did not fit me either.

     Third, Seed Implants.  My choice and I am glad that I did make this choice.  Spent a couple of hours on the operating table while they placed some 70 odd pieces of what looked like small pencil lead pieces in and around the prostrate.  Spend another day in the hospital and then home for good.  For the following three months I had what I called “Short Notice Exercises” when it came to urination.  After that all was working fine.  And I mean all!

     And finally Direct Radiation.  This I did not elect because as it was explained to both my wife Lenore and myself, that if the radiation is the least bit off target it can do a lot of damage to the kidneys and rectum; something that I did not need to chance.

      So now the procedure has been done and we have our follow-up examinations that start with a new PSA read.  The new numbers are hardly detectable -- .00 or .03 or something mighty small when compared to the 7.6 I had when we discovered that I had a problem.  The digital examination feels fine to the attending physician, but still not very comfortable for the patient.  So the doc says come back in six months and we will check it again.  This goes on for several years and everyone is happy with the results.  We are home free!  That may not be true.

    The Rest of The Story.  Another doctor brought my high cholesterol condition to my attention and suggested diet, more exercise, and some medication.  Our goal was to lower the cholesterol by one half and improve the ratio of the good and bad units, simple enough.

     After several months of this treatment a great improvement was noted in the cholesterol level.  The ratios were also moving in the correct direction.  So again, home free.

     Not so very fast.  This doctor noticed that the white blood cells were lower than they should be.  These are very important blood cells because they support our immune system.  So what was causing that condition? This issue was over the top for this doctor so I was referred to a Cancer & Blood Disorder Specialists.  This one is a Diplomate in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology, so well qualified for the task at hand.

        Extensive testing to include a bone marrow sample revealed that I was far from being out of the “cancer woods” while the PSA readings were still hardly detectable.  My blood cells had been infected with cancer cells and they are rapidly depleting the white blood cells.  The doctor’s diagnosis was Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS).  MGUS is defined by the presence of a serum monoclonal (M) protein and a whole lot of other no good stuff that can advance to something even worse – Mulitple Myeloma (MM).  MM has a median survival of only 3 to 4 years.  So predicting and preventing the progression of MGUS is of great importance.

     The bottom line is – If you have had Prostate Cancer seek out the best Cancer & Blood Disorder Specialist you can find and put that doctor to work tomorrow.  Nothing wrong with a clean report and if the report is not good and it is early enough treatment may prevent advancement and death.