Addendum to Gary Minar’s
Report Re Prostate Cancer’
9 June 2006
In Jan 2006 Roy Clason, my 23rd Company roommate for 4 years informed me that he had an elevated PSA of 3.9 when last taken. Roy’s family doctor was concerned of the rise from 2.5 to 3.9 in a year. The rate of rise begged for further testing. A biopsy was performed to reveal what was happening down there. Roy received word in 2 days that he did have cancer of the prostate with a Gleason score of 6. He selected to have it removed surgically via the radical surgery treatment option on 24 Feb 2006. (Gary Minar’s Report that is on our Class of 58 website and several telecons provided Roy with the info he needed to select the option. I (Bob Sauer) had my annual check on 14 March 2006. I was called on 15 March 06 by my doctor. He stated everything was fine except for an elevated PSA of 7.5. He set up an appointment with the Urologist. I had a biopsy performed on 4 April 2006. On 13 April the Urologist said he had bad news and good news. The bad news was I had non aggressive cancer with a Gleason score of 6. The good news was it was caught early and is probably totally within the prostate.
I drove the 20 miles to the clinic for the biopsy and drove home immediately after the biopsy. Don’t plan on any driving trips until eight weeks after the biopsy. We had planned 2 trips, one, the end of April and, two, a graduation the end of May. I just couldn’t sit that long because it takes about 2 months for the prostate to get back to normal. I did not expect the biopsy recovery to linger like it did but as advertised the biopsy procedure caused me to take special precautions and limit my travel. I would not have been able to make the drive because. Realizing this, I canceled the trips and proceeded with my plan to move forward as rapidly as possible to get rid of the ‘hummer’ before it could grow any more.
I completed an appointment on 20 April with the Radiation doctor and ruled the option out rapidly when I could find little or no info about the results from this option. Radiation seeds and Radiation Beam options, if not successful, require Salvage Surgery with really increased risks. If one is not in good health this might be an option. I was physically fit for any option available.
I saw the Surgeon on 9 May 06. He performs both the Laparoscopic and Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (http://www.davinciprostatectomy.com/) and the traditional surgical prostatectomy. I was very biased to the new method until this appointment. (Note: Gary & Roy did not consider this option because of the long distance to the facility.) Every thing done in the traditional has to be done in the Laparoscopic option with the only difference being a 3.5 inch incision vs. a 5.0 inch for the traditional. As he talked I was gradually releasing my biased grip to the Laparoscopic option. I questioned how soon he could get me in for the two options. The Laparoscopic option could not be performed until at least 2 months after the biopsy while the traditional could be within 7 – 14 days after the 9 May appointment. Two days later I was scheduled for the traditional surgical prostatectomy on 18 May 2006. Forty hours later I was released to go home. On 31 May the staples and catheter were removed. My follow up appointments are for a PSA every 3 months for one year. (FYI, Roy completed his first follow up with a PSA of 0.0 on 31 May 06.)
My nephew’s father-in-law had the traditional surgical prostatectomy in April 06. He provided a website (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/44.cfm) and a book ‘Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book’ that was written in 2005. Dr. Scardino is the Chairman of the Department of Urology at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I obtained a copy from our library and found it very informative and thorough on all aspects of Prostate problems and information from Pre Operation through Post Operation.
In summary, both Roy, Gary and I chose the radical removal surgery treatment option. As stated, the option has provided an excellent outcome, but the emphasis for 58'ers remains - seeking frequent PSA checks and getting professional consultation from a urologist if the PSA outcome is threatening. Further, gather good objective data about treatment before taking any treatment decision.
Gary Minar’s Report on the Class of 58 website was an invaluable source for both Roy & I. We thank him for taking the time to document and share the detailed information as needed from the patients view.
Gary, Roy and I hope that this addendum along with Gary’s Report can assist you, should the need arise.
/s/ Bob Sauer ‘58
/s/ Roy Clason ‘58
/s/ Gary Minar ‘58