I will use this page to keep everyone updated on my current cancer situation.
| Date | Procedure | Results |
| September 18, 2007 | Regular checkup and blood work | Blood work showed a dramatic increase in PSA |
| October 10, 2007 | Met with Dr. Brookeover | He said the size of my prostate was normal and that we should do biopsies |
| October 15, 2007 | Eight biopsies were done of my prostate | |
| October 22, 2007 | I met with Dr. Brookeover | He indicated I do have prostate cancer. He believes we caught it in its early stages. The aggressiveness of the cancer is rated a six or seven on a scale of one to 10. |
| October 31, 2007 8 a.m. | A bone scan and PCT of my abdominal area will be done. | |
| November 2, 2007 4 PM | Appointment with Dr. Brookeover | The bone scan came up negative which is good.
It only showed some of my old age. the CAT scan showed a 2.5 cm
lesion on my right kidney. Dr. Brookeover and I discussed
treatment plans. My thought process so far is that I will
undergo high-dosage radiation monotherapy. In this process
several tubes are inserted directly into the prostate. High
dosage radiation pellets are dropped in to each tube and left for a
period of 10 to 15 minutes. The pellets are then removed.
The same process will occur five times in a 24-hour period. I
will be in the hospital one to two days. We await having an
appointment with a special oncologist before proceeding. Regarding the lesion on my right kidney, the report of the radiologist indicates this lesion is "to dense to be a simple cyst and it is worrisome for a solid neoplasm." A neoplasm is simply a mask for growth of some type and does not necessarily indicate it is cancer. Our next step is a second opinion and further investigation regarding the growth on my kidney.
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| November 8, 2007 | Dinner With Melanie and Brent | First of all, it is wonderful to have a doctor in the family. Although Melanie is an OB/GYN, she knows everyone and is so well respected. Being able to talk to Brent who had his prostate robotically removed this last year has also been very helpful. The way it stands right now I will not be able to get an appointment set with the radiological oncologists until Monday due to insurance verification. Melanie is arranging for me to meet with a second urologist and also a kidney expert. I think the plan is to find out what's going on with the kidney before making final decisions on the prostate. |
| November 11, 2007 | Appointment with Dr. Bruce |
I just met with the second urologist who wants to order an MRI of my chest and abdomen. The first place that kidney cancer usually goes is to the lungs so we want to check it out. That hasn’t been scheduled yet but should be within the next day or so. we also set a consultation with the surgeon who does robotic surgery here in Tulsa. Dr. Bruce indicated the recovery time from robotic surgery is much less as it becomes more popular and that I could expect a one or two day stay in the hospital. We also discussed the kidney and after we get the results of the MRI of my abdomen we will know more about the tumor. It is possible if the kidney to her is cancerous I might be able to have both surgeries at the same time. |
| November 15, 2007 5:30 p.m. | Saint Francis imaging Center | CAT scan of the chest was done. This was
being done because kidney cancer generally first migrates to the
lungs. The results were NEGATIVE! Good news. |
| November 23, 2007 4:30 p.m. | St. Francis Hospital | The MRI shows a 2.5 x 2.5 tumor on my right kidney. The shape of the tumor indicates is more than likely a cyst. The only way to know for sure is to remove the kidney and in the pathology. The MRI also showed several small growths on my left kidney which the radiologist said they are cysts. |
| December 3, 2007 | Dr. Milstein Tulsa Urology center | I met with Dr. Milstein late in the afternoon. Because both kidneys are possibly involved he has recommended not doing anything with the kidneys that just simply removing the prostate. As of that date he has done 123 robotic prostate removal's. He is the only surgeon in town which does robotic prostate surgery. |
| Meeting on hold due to storm | consultation appointment with Dr. Kevin Slawin, Houston, Texas | Dr. Slawin performed the second robotic prostate removal in the city of Houston. He's now done thousands. |
| December 20, 2007 | Cancer Treatment Center of America | I met with a radiology oncologist and received yet a fourth different method of treatment. It was a beautiful facility and the people were very friendly but once again I was not impressed. |
| January 7, 2008 | Consultation appointment with Dr.Tung Shu with the Vanguard Institute of urology | Dr. Shu only there was no need to remove a kidney. He said we would monitor the growth of my right kidney using ultrasound in approximately 3 to six months. In the event treatment is necessary he will laparoscopically remove only the growth and not the entire kidney. This gave me great relief because I was so worried. It also made me really think about the quality of health care as far as cancer is concerned in Tulsa. I'm very glad I went to Houston and highly recommend anyone going through cancer to at least seek an opinion from there. |
| Late February or March | robotic prostate surgery | In late February or March I will undergo surgery in Houston. I will be gone approximately 5 to seven days. |