Mark's Story

I went for my annual physical in 2015. Things were fine. Got my PSA back about two weeks later. I needed to call my Dr. - had a PSA 4.8 (was 3 last year) - scheduled me to meet with a Urologist. He checked me over. Asked how I felt (I had no problems) (oh found out after this and other things, I have a high tolerance to pain). He gave me the Cancer Society handout with all the information and options (very good information).

Doing the research

A friend I worked with had me call his friend that had had the surgery. Told what he went through. FYI for me. Read all the literature. Spent hours on the internet. Researched everything I could. Did a lot of soul-searching. Prayed a lot, a lot. Went to visit my daughter in Orlando and went into the Atlantic ocean and had a talk with God. We be mates (as the Aussie say). Decided we were going to fight this and win. My grandson had Nioplastmona cancer at 5 years old and took over a year and million dollars for him to win, another story.

Leaving it up to God and treatment

So I left it up to God and the great people at the Kansas City Urology Clinic. Had the radiation route. It was not a bad trip, but I had the best team in Kansas City. Some people drove 2 hours a day one way for the treatments because they are the best team. 43 treatments. I had the two Lupron shots (makes life a living hell, had all the reactions to the meds). But, all came out well. It takes about 2 years from start to finish to get back to normal. Also along the way I got into physical therapy a year after treatments. Really helped. I with God and the best team in Kansas City can say I am 2 years cancer free.

If you have any questions, please free to ask. I am just a normal old guy (now). I worked construction as a communication tech for 40 years. I have had a positive attitude all my life, in spite of things.