Darcy - Prostate Cancer Experience

Prostate Cancer Experience

Dick DARCY had a 6-week post-radiation therapy consult 10 January --just a conversation with the WRAMC radiation oncologist.  Highlight:  he won't say I don't have cancer somewhere else because he can't tell if it has broken out of the prostate and taken up residence elsewhere.  Statistics say that one in twenty men do have it, despite the treatment.  Although there are no guarantees, we like the odds. He says I am a poster child for radiation therapy and should go to support meetings encouraging others to consider it.

(Editor:  And encouraging others is exactly why Dick wanted to pass this information on to all RAFINO members.   Therefore, this story is printed in the first person.)

In early March 2007 I will have a PSA blood test that will set the baseline for monitoring; then test every six months for 5 years; and then every year for the next 20.  They'll be looking for a continuously flat PSA score.

Other than the predictable urinary (treated with detrol) and GI side effects (which are abating), I have had no pain or suffering.  The biggest pain was the 39 days of going to the clinic at Walter Reed for the treatment.  Still, I used sick leave from work and was gone about 2 hours each work day.  The technique and technology of "intensity modulated radiation therapy" allows for greater targeted organ doses and therefore less collateral damage to the surrounding pelvic-occupied systems (skeletal, circulatory, reproductive, etc.).  (There is a lot going on in the pelvic area--both male and female.)  I found the treatment far less invasive than the alternatives of surgery, seed implants, and cryotherapy. 

What a roller coaster!  Diagnosed in early July and finished treatment in late November.  (Could have been sooner but wanted to travel in September.)  My counsel to anyone so diagnosed: get a second opinion, read like hell about the disease, make an informed decision, and act on it.  Walter Reed is the home of the Center for Prostate Disease Research--so I am quite fortunate to have such quality care.  I am also very fortunate to have an Army buddy, Hank NEILL, to recommend it.