In November 2009 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a real shock to the system. My local doctor sent me to the public hospital, where I underwent diagnosis and investigations. The biopsy was done without any anaesthetic, bloody painful! I was also given a book about the cancer, treatment and subsequent side effects etc. I also found your website, which was great, informative and put together by men with the same problems and choices as myself.
I took two recommendations from the book:
- Get a second opinion and
- Brachytherapy as the best possible treatment for me.
I made an appointment with Dr John Miller in Glenelg to get the second opinion and to discuss option 2. I also felt I had wasted too much time since being diagnosed five months earlier. My next appointment with the public hospital was in May 2010, where I was informed, that radiation was the best option for me. I told them, that I had selected brachytherapy, which to me felt the least intrusive, posible least number of side effects, one visit to the hospitpal and basically no interruption of my day to day life. And that I was going private.
Doctor John Miller and his partner Dr Tran proved to exactly what I needed, positive, reassuring and extremly informative. With them I felt at ease and found new optimism for my future, "just what the doctor ordered". I received my implants in July 2010, into hospital early morning and walked out again the same afternoon. AND BASICALLY THAT WAS IT! The doctors had explained all possible side efects and actually prescribe some medication. Flowmax was one, which I used for a little while only.
Naturally as a man I had great concerns about my future sex life and the first few weeks after the implant I could get an erection, but maintaining it for any length of time was a problem. Dr Tran prescibe Cialis, half a tablet and guess what, all is well again. I believe that the tablet gave me the confidence needed. Apart from the rude awakening and realising that I had CANCER, I can only describe my experience as a slight inconvenience.
Now at the age of 76 I still work part time, ride my motorbike and thoroughly enjoy life. And yes, there is life after prostate cancer and a good life!
On Tuesday 4 September 2012 I went to see the result of my blood test. Could not have been better at 0.82 and my doctor suggested, that I didn't have to come back any more. I will now get a annual blood test done which will be checked by my local doctor. I am still working part time, still riding my motorbike and feeling fine, apart from a painfull knee. after total knee replacement twelve months ago. For anyone diagnosed with this cancer will appreciate this website, as it will provide comfort and hope for the future. I recently read an article, where an "expert" in the medical world suggested, that "the PSA test was unreliable and hardly worthwhile". Poor misguided but dangerous fool, as this test certainly saved the quality of my life. Once again full marks for Drs John Miller and Phuong Tran for their expertise and above all their understanding and caring approach, which made me feel 100% at ease at all times. Next year we have chartered a boat to cruise the rivers and canals of the Netherlands and yes, there is life after prostate cancer and a good life. And if I remember (lol) I will up-date again in 3 years time.
This is just to update for my late husband Eddy May. He died on 28th March 2013 from cancer of the lung and brain. The doctors have said that it did not come from his prostate cancer. He was pleased that he had found this site and that it helped him knowing that he was "not alone".
Thank you
Raeleen May
