UPDATE - Issue 38 - Autumn 2009
Patient story: Michael Barnston
On the advice of a friend Michael Barnston went for a PSA test, this is his story
Some five years ago, aged 60, I was encouraged to have a PSA test. Even though I was healthy and wondered why I might need one, I followed my friend’s advice. My first reading came back 3.9 – within the ‘normal’ range establishing a baseline.
By October 2005 my PSA had risen to 5.7 and a painful biopsy ensued. I was delighted to learn that there was no evidence of malignancy. The next test in October 2006 was 4.4 (no great problem).
I missed the 2007 test and in June 2008 I received a letter saying that problems had been found with some pathology reports from North Wales, where I had been tested, and would I go and discuss the matter with the surgeon as soon as possible.
The shock, of course, was that there were signs of malignancy. Our planned walking holiday in Switzerland at the end of June was somewhat gloomy in the knowledge that I had had a cancerous reading (my PSA had risen to 7.2) and that I was probably due another biopsy.
With a PSA reading of 9.8, I had the second biopsy in August. I feared the worst of the NHS but was relieved at the care and relative lack of pain and discomfort – although I was unable to ride my bicycle for some days afterwards!
My wife came to the next appointment in early October when we heard that my PSA was just under 10 and I had a Gleason factor of 3+3.
Some serious decisions had to be made so we went away and discussed the options and talked to friends and others who had been through a similar experience. We were amazed how many people we suddenly knew who had prostate problems of one sort or another.
The decision that best suited me was for surgical removal. A referral was arranged and the operation fixed for 11 December 2008 and I managed to lose about 3kg before the operation in the belief it might assist the surgeon delving behind my gut. I was wheeled in to theatre about 3pm and I have a vague memory of coming round at 10pm but nothing more until 6am the following morning when I was ready for a good breakfast!
There is, of course, a lot of discomfort with the catheter and attachments on one side, and various tubes on the other supplying antibiotics and pain relief but at no time can I say that I experienced any real pain. I was able to leave hospital on Sunday morning (two and a half days after the operation) and my wife drove me back to Cheshire with one stop on the way to empty the bag!
" There is a lot of discomfort but at no time can I say I experiencecd any real pain "
It was a great relief, although uncomfortable at the time, to have the catheter removed two weeks later. Regular monitoring followed to ensure that I could pass water naturally. After one night, I was released for Christmas with antibiotics and a supply of continence pads.
I returned two weeks later for a discussion with the surgeon. And with a great sigh of relief, pathology confirmed my pre-op Gleason 6 reading and that all cancerous material had been contained within the removed gland. My ongoing cancer free status was given as ‘excellent’ with a 98% probability of being clear for seven years.
My last visit was in early March this year when I had another PSA test with the surgeon. Luckily this reading was zero so an ongoing schedule of reporting was agreed which would include three monthly PSA checks for the first year, six monthly over the next four and annually thereafter.
I celebrated my first day without a pad 124 days after the operation and there were even hints of something happening in the erectile department. What a relief! But really I should be thankful to be alive and any side issues about incontinence or potency are nothing when the alternative might have landed me up in a box! Men in particular never believe it is going to happen to them and we shy away from visiting the doctor.
Have that test now!