My name Allan Murray, my wife Nancy and I live in Southampton Ontario, I am 70 years of age. I have always lived an active life, twice a week to the gym, cycle 80km each week, except winter and play golf 3 times a week, not bad at it too. I have always had my PSA checked at my annual check up before leaving for Florida.

Over the last 4 years it has increased from 0.6 to 1.0 to 1.7 to 3.4. Unfortunately I did not insist on a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) on an annual basis, relying on the doctor's opinion, this was a mistake. I now believe that a DRE is much more significant than a PSA. [This is not borne out by studies, but certainly the DRE is an important part of the diagnostic process, especially for those forms of prostate cancer that generate low levels of PSA]

We went to Florida for 3 months and I was still carrying my golf clubs, however I started to feel some discomfort in my lower back. Got on Google and checked my symptoms and concerns; on arrival back home arranged for another PSA, 6 months from previous PSA it was now 6.7 An appointment was set up with a Urologist and a biopsy was taken, no hassle, no discomfort. Gleason 7, stage T2a, had a bone scan, CAT scan and an X ray, he recommended surgery. I agreed, however he was a younger man who did not have a great deal of experience, so I asked if he would refer me to a more experienced urologist, a person that my golfing buddies recommended.

He had no problem with this request and later I had a meeting with the second urologist, he after performing another DRE agreed that surgery was the way to go. I had surgery on October 7, 2009, released from hospital 2 days later, catheter was removed 2 weeks later, boy was I glad.

Had an appointment with urologist 6 weeks after surgery; not so good. He had removed 7 lymph nodes and there was a 2mm in one of the nodes, my PSA was non detectable I was still Gleason 7, staging now T3aN1. He recommended checking my PSA every 3 months and when results indicated so, to consider hormone treatment. I requested that an appointment be set up with an oncologist.

We live in a small community on the shores of Lake Huron [God's country] and as at this time of the year we have quite a bit of snow, a video meeting was set with the oncologist in London Ontario, a facility that is attached to Western University. For those of you that are not familiar with this kind of set up, believe me it is the way to go, my wife and I sat at a table in a small conference room in our local small community hospital, the video was on a secure web link, I had my papers all set up in front of me c/w a coffee. The oncologist, who had my complete file, said that radiation was not really an option as the cancer had spread to adjacent lymph node, his initial opinion was to commence with hormone treatment now, however he had no problem in delaying it in agreement with the urologist, also my own choice. His evaluation that the presence of an involved lymph node does predict a high risk of subsequent systemic relapse. Our detailed discussion lasted an hour and I obtained a copy of his notes on our discussion.

I have been unable to find much information on prostate cancer spreading to the lymph system, if anybody can direct me in that direction, I would be obliged. [This issue was discussed at 107th Annual Meeting of the AUA - New York Section - August 19 - 26, 2009, Seward, Alaska and a copy of the presentation by Dr Scardino is available - it may be necessary to Register to read it, but there is no charge]

We are going down to the big city to enjoy Xmas with our family and then off to Florida with our golf clubs for 3 months Merry Xmas.

Almost one year from my surgery, had my PSA checked four times with readings continuing to be non-detectable.

Receiving no medication or treatment, consume lots of green tea, daily garlic pills. still continuing with my active lifestyle. Cut back on red meat, coffee and alcohol, settling for an occasional Scotch and a daily glass of red wine.

Urologist is encouraged with my results.

Take care,

Allan Murray

Still good news, PSA still non detectable, no treatment, maintaining an active lifestyle, lots of green tea, garlic pills, careful with diet and minimum alcohol.

Thank you and take care.

I am still doing very well, careful with diet and alcohol, still at the gym twice per week, golfing and riding my bicycle or walking 5 km. on the off days. Still on my garlic pills and green tea, appreciate your web site and all of the effort that you put in.

Have a nice day

Allan Murray

Hi 3-1/2 years since surgery, still doing well. I have my PSA checked every 6 months. I faithfully maintain walking, exercise, cycling, watch what I eat, take my garlic pills morning and night, drink my green tea. leaving enough room for my daily glass of nice wine and my occasional Scotch. I have convinced myself that keeping all of these actions, are keeping the cancer away.

Have yourself another nice day

Coming up for 5 years since surgery, still following the same game plan. Gym every week, cycling, golf 3 times/week pulling cart. Garlic pills in the morning, daily green tea plus an occasional black coffee, daily glass of wine and an occasional Scotch. I maintain a positive frame of mind regarding my health, never think about my cancer. I believe that these activities all contribute to the zero PSA reading. I now have a yearly check up and I am now approaching my 75th. birthday. Hang in there my friends.

Have a nice day

Allan Murray

Coming up for my 76th birthday, still enjoying good health, have a few aches and pains, lucky me. After 6 years my PSA is still undetectable. I still follow the same procedures and habits, this I believe is important. I still golf, not as well now.

Have a nice day

Allan Murray

After 7 years my urologist has declared me cancer free. I will continue to follow my previous routine since surgery.

To all, hang in there it takes time and a good positive attitude.

78 years old now, still keeping active, gym twice per week, walking 3 miles most days, pickle ball twice per week. I had successful open heart surgery to replace my aorta valve in August. I had to stop all of my physical activities for 2 months, now back on my regular exercise routine. Never think about the cancer issue, stay positive.

Everything health wise is first class, no prostate cancer issues. I had open heart surgery 18 months ago, still following all of my exercise routines, presently down in Florida for a couple of months, get some golf in. Still no medication for either of my previous issues. Still drinking green tea, daily glass of wine and an occasion Scotch. Best way to treat any ailment is not to think about it.

Have a good day.

Hi Guys

I am now 80 years in age, 10-1/2 years since my surgery date. Presently in Florida for 3 months, golfing and pickle ball, still go to the gym twice a week, walking and cycling a lot. Not trying to impress anybody, however at my age, obviously the pace has slowed down a bit, I still try to maintain my routine. Still carefull with what I eat and drink, no medication, have an annual check up. Stay positive.

Have a nice day, Allan Murray

Hi

I am now 82 years of age, almost 13 years since Prostate surgery and 5 years from heart valve replacement. Only medication taken is a daily baby aspirin. Still follow same healthy life style, gym, golf, pickle ball, cycling and walking, carefull with diet and alcohol. Still have annual check up, I stay positive never think about cancer or heart disease. Avoid Covid19 no longer have winter trips to Florida.

Stay safe

Allan Murray

I will be 84 in a couple of months, 14 years since surgery, stil going strong. Pickle ball, golf 9 holes walking each week, gym weekly during summer months, twice weekly during winter months, walking or cyling daily, weather permitting. All of these activities are to maintain my overall physical and mental health. Seven years since my heart surgery, no issues or medications. older and a bit slower. still carefull with diet and alcohol. I worked in a steel mill for 35 years, have been wearing a hearing aid in each ear for 15 years, that issue creates more of a life style concern to me than either my cancer or heart issues. My wife and I have had 5 booster shots for Covid and we are going to try for Florida this winter, missed Florida for past two winters because of Covid. Think positive

Take care Allan Murray

Hi

15 years since surgery, will be 85 years old in a few weeks. Still maintaining my physical exersise activites. Walked in the Terry Fox cancer fund raiser yesterday in Port Elgin along the shore of Lake Huron, beautiful weather day. I completed the 10 km walk, not too many walkers, now joggers, roller blades or cyclists, probably about 100 participants, raised $35,000. Two weeks ago I cycled in the Breast Cancer fund raiser, in Southampton and area, 850 participants, raised $420,000, option to ride 10km. 30km. 70km. or 110km. Rained most of the time, I received recognition of being the oldest rider and cycled 30km, with my daughter and grand son. My PSA has taken a bit of a jump in the past 12 months. After discussions with my urologist and oncologist, they decided that I should have a Bone Scan, Cat Scan and a PSMA PET Scan. While the first two scans showed thinning of the bones/osteoporosis, there was no evidence of prostate cancer spread. The PSMA PET Scan did show some changes in the lymph nodes, mainly within the pelvis and lower abdomen, with also some possible lymph nodes in the neck area. There was no evidence of changes in the bone or other organs like the liver or lungs. The PSMA PET Scan reassured the oncologist thet even though The PSA has been rising, the amount of prostate cancer in the body is very small in volume and confined to the lymph nodes. This coupled with a very slow PSA rise is reassurance that the cancer problem is not of any immediate threat to my well-being.

Allan Murray

Allan's e-mail address is: fardens AT aol.com (replace "AT" with "@")