Men's Prostate Cancer

I was 62 years old and I have cancer disease of the prostate gland. I had a 10.8 PSA cancer tumor indicator from a blood test screening during my yearly doctor exam even though I didn't have a enlarged prostate. I then went to a urology doctor and had a biopsy on my prostate gland. The tests confirmed I had prostate cancer. He said this cancer is very slow progressing and with no treatment I could live another 5-10 years. But, to treat the cancer tumor, he suggested I could have a operation (Radical Prostatectomy) to remove the prostate gland or not remove the gland and use external beam radiation and brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted in prostate gland). The radiologist doctor said, the chance of cancer remission is about equal between the two treatments. And, radiation and brachytherapy is more forgiving in that you have a better chance to achieve love making function after the radiation treatments.

I opt for the radiation and brachytherapy treatment as opposed to surgical prostate gland removal because, keeping my potency is important in my sexual partner relationship.

I received 27 radiation treatments for the cancer to the prostate gland over a 5 week period and then 2 surgical brachytherapy radioactive seed implants.The treatments were done every work day and only took about 15-20 minutes. I would go to the hospital and change into a hospital gown and then they would put me on the radiation table in a pre-made semi-body cast (to keep me very still) while the radiation was beamed painlessly to my prostate gland. I then went home each day.

At the end of the 5 week period I had 2 hospital stays two weeks apart were I was put to sleep for the very powerful radioactive seeds (about 9 seeds) that were implanted in my prostate in a way that they could be removed later. Those seeds were surgically inserted into the prostate gland in the morning and that evening removed. I do clearly remember the pain as they removed them. They didn't put me to sleep for that. The next day I went home.

Now, after 5 years, my PSA prostate cancer indicator is down to .08. It looks like my prostate cancer is in remission. I feel good and more energetic. Life is GREAT!