Michael’s Story
Michael was 53 when he was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. This is his story ..
I had my first PSA test in December 2012, when I was 52. I had a company private health scheme and it was a routine check up. They told me the test was not 100% accurate but I went ahead thinking that I would rather know early rather than when it might be too late. My first reading was 2.1 which was not a cause for concern at that time as it was also my base reading. My second PSA test was 2 years later in 2014 and was 4.9 at which time, because of the significant rise in the PSA, I was referred to my consultant. Then three months later, my PSA was 5.8 and my consultant decided to take some biopsies under GA. Nothing was found. Another 6 months went by, my PSA was 8.1 and more biopsies were taken under GA but, again, nothing was found..
I continued regular 6-monthly blood tests and my PSA continued generally to rise although some falls were occasionally recorded. By now my PSA was 13.9 and my consultant wanted to take some more biopsies. The doctors took 12 samples, 1 came back positive which was devastating even though I had been half expecting it. My Gleason score was 3+3. I had a choice to make radiotherapy or keyhole surgery and that is the one I went with, as there is less scarring and you recover more quickly. I had the keyhole surgery. I felt OK afterwards, with no pain, and had a catheter which would have to remain in for 10 days. I stayed in hospital for 2 nights then came home to rest although gentle short walks were recommended. I had some leakage and had to wear pads but eventually the leakage improved. I also had to self inject with CLEXANE, a blood thinning drug, for 40 days after leaving hospital. It was not as difficult as I feared. Over the months everything has settled down and although my toilet flow is slow it is not as poor as before the surgery.
My most notable side effect is the inability to get an erection although orgasm is still possible. I was prescribed 5mg Cialis daily for a year but this did not help in my case neither did the occasional use of 20mg Cialis. Fifteen months after my operation I was prescribed a vacuum pump. This is partly to help prevent atrophy while at the same time helping my sex life by enabling me to generate an erection. The cancer support centre has been brilliant. I never thought I would be able to talk about me, and what was happening, but the therapists made it easy and were really good recommending different therapies to help me. Emmett was great and hypnotherapy to help me manage my anxiety. My wife was with me on my journey the whole time – at consultations, investigating various treatment options, at meetings with the surgeon – invaluable, as she was able to remember what they said when I could not.
Two years on my regular PSA checks so far have been unrecordable and I am happy with the decision I took. To all of you men out there : I would say it is probably not as bad as you think. But you must ask as many questions that you can think of. There are many treatment options available and survival rates are improving. You will probably have some side effects from your treatment, so just be prepared to accept them.