Case Study Four:

 

It was in 2010 that I went to see Dr Dave Baldwin (The Flying Doctor) for another Private Pilot Licence medical. Dr Dave is “the” advocate for men’s health and author of “Healthy Bastards”. The medical includes a PSA test. My result was 4.6, and he suggested I get it checked out.

 My G.P. referred me to Mr Kim Broome, Urologist in Hastings.  The digital exam showed nothing unusual, so I was sent for a biopsy.  The result from this was prostate cancer.

 Mr Kim Broome recommended several options, one of which was brachytherapy. As I had no peeing problems and was a young man of 64 I was considered to be a suitable candidate, and that it is good to get it fixed while the PSA is under 10. And brachytherapy was considered to be one of the least invasive treatments.

 I was referred to Professor David Lamb in Wellington. He was the founding chair of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group. Brachytherapy is not publicly funded, and is not cheap.

The treatment involved an overnight stay in the hospital, following the procedure of 117 radioactive seeds planted into my prostate.  Following treatment I was considered to be radioactive for a period with the instructions of not to get too cuddly and to use condoms for a while, and not to let young children sit on your knee for a while. Recovery was good and I was back farming very quickly, although an afternoon snooze was good.

 I had the treatment in November 2010 but seven weeks later, as had been planned, my wife and I were canoeing down the Wanganui River in January.

 My PSA dropped and then went up again for a period as anticipated by the specialist, before it dropped right off.

 The treatment was 10 years ago this November, and I am still farming and flying my microlight. The only ongoing hassle is having to go to the bathroom three or four times during the night.