My Journey with Prostate Cancer

Because of my family history I began being checked early on. I was in my late 40's when I first began this process. At first I had examines every couple of years and PSA was only slightly elevated. Then at about 55 it had risen enough that my specialist recommended my first biopsy. I think they took about 6 cores and it was negative. The process was far more painful than I expected so in my early 60's after my PSA rose more and my specialist recommended another biopsy, I was filled with dread. But, the second biopsy actually was not at all bad. I think I had learned to relax a bit and it was less painful inserting the ultra sound probe. Early in 2018 at the age of 65 my PSA had risen to about 6. The specialist was reluctant to send me for another biopsy so we decided to see what the PSA would do in 6 month. In October the PSA had risen to over 9 and being on Avodart that was like 17 or 18. A third biopsy was scheduled. Again it was not as painful as the first one. They took 1...

I have a family history of prostate cancer. My maternal grandfather and father both had prostate cancer in there 70's and died from the disease. I was to far removed to witness what my grandfather suffered, but it was not pleasant. I think he was about 77 when he died. The methods to treat cancer in the 1970's were not as advance as today. I did not witness is final days, but was told they were pretty tough. My brother, who is 5 years older than me, was diagnosed about 5 years ago and he with his doctors chose watchful waiting. His last biopsy did not show any cancer and his PSA is down. That is very good for him and I am thankful. My dad was in his late 70's when he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He had brachytherapy about 2003 which was done in Seattle and his PSA numbers fell. Over the next year it looked like that had been successful, but then pain developed in a rib. Targeted external radiation took care of that, but every 6 months or so it would show u...