Case Study Three:
BORN
22.06.1944
May
2017:
I visited my GP for a blood pressure check and a repeat of my medication. While
there the Doctor asked is there anything else he could help me with. I did say
I was getting up three times during the night but other than that I felt in good
shape. My doctor then suggested that when I returned from my holiday I should
make an appointment so he could check my prostate. My PSA reading at that time
was 4.
Early
June 2017:
The doctor did a physical examination of my prostate and he was not happy with
the left side of the prostate and referred me to Whangarei Hospital. After a four
month wait in mid-October I was seen by the Urologist and he carried out a Flow
Test Ultrasound and another physical examination. His opinion was that I would
need to be booked in for a biopsy of which he discussed in detail the procedure
with me. Two weeks later I was booked in for a biopsy of which I was not
looking forward to. Ten biopsy were taken and the Urologist warned me that
there was a high probability I had prostate cancer and he would see me in two
weeks.
17th
November 2017:
I saw the Urologist and he informed me that I had prostate cancer and I would
need to have MRI scan of the pelvis and a whole body bone scan to make sure the
cancer had not travelled outside the prostate.
7th
December 2017:
I was booked in to Auckland Hospital for MRI and Bone Density scan.
19th
December 2017:
I visited the Urologist for the results of the scans and what treatment they
would advise. I was very relieved the cancer had not gone outside the prostate.
Apart from what had been taking place, I felt in good health and thought there
was nothing wrong. It was advised that the best
treatment for me would be Radiotherapy and Hormonal treatment and he would
refer me to Whangarei Hospital Radiation Oncology Clinic.
8th
March 2018:
I was seen by Dr Benjamin, the Oncologist at Whangarei Hospital, and he
recommended a month’s course of hormone tablets which should reduce my PSA. He
also booked me in for radiation treatment. The result of the hormone tablets
brought my PSA down to 2.4. I was then put on an eighteen month course of
Zoladex implant injection which I had done by the nurse at our local GP and
each injection lasted three months.
28th
April 2018:
My first of 20 treatments Monday to Friday started at Auckland Hospital and
because we live in Mangawhai we were booked in to stay at the Domain Lodge. It
is opposite the hospital and provided free by the Cancer Society for patients
getting treatment who live out of the area. In order to have the radiation
treatment you need to have a full bladder and an empty bowel before you go on
the machine which is harder than it sounds. That was probably the hardest part
as you feel nothing from the radiation machine. As treatment progressed I did
have a few problems with the bladder having to get up a lot during the night
and discomfort passing urine. After roughly 6-8 weeks the discomfort passing
urine went away but I was still getting up during the night. My doctor has put
me on 1 Oxybutynin tablet which has helped not having to get up during the
night as frequently. Most nights I have to get up three times during the night.
I remained having Zoladex implant injection finishing the 18 month course in
June 2019.
October
2019:
Had my PSA checked and my reading was 0.05 so my GP was very pleased. I turned
76 in June 2020 and I am very grateful that I am able to play golf twice a week
and have a very normal lifestyle. I am due to have another PSA test but due to
Covid this is on hold.
