Initial Visit

Met with Doc Crawford "officially" for first time today. Visit included a digital exam, a new PSA (blood) test and a relatively new test called PCA-3. This test is based on a urine specimen and looks for the DNA identifiers associated with prostate cancer. Although this test is not FDA-approved, it shows great promise with regards to screening and it may prove to be a better indicator than the standard PSA test. We taked about the mapping biopsy, now scheduled for 31 Aug. They will use a template to extract as many as 90 samples of the prostate, creating a 3-D image of my prostate, with the idea of isolating the tumor to as small of an area as possible. I should be knocked out for around 90 minutes. With any luck, the tumor will be confined to a small area, where it can be dealt with. We also talked through all the possible treatment options, from chemo, to radioactive pellets, to surgery, to cryo (freezing the tumor), to doing nothing at all. I will continue current meds and start Flomax around 10 days prior to the mapping biopsy.

I also agreed to be part of a long term study on this cancer. Basically it allows researchers access to samples of blood, urine, tissue, etc already being collected as part of my treatment. Hopefully it helps us move a step further towards a cure!

The media

Interesting week. Dan Chacon from the Gazette wrote a piece on his blog about my condition. It was very good and based on some email exchanges. He was certainly welcome to write about it, and in fact I encouraged him as it is one more opportunity to help make guys aware of the need to get annual exams. However, what followed was kinda like the game you play in elementary school, where you whisper something into a friend's ear and they pass it on and 20 people later it no longer resembles the original message. Suddenly Im getting questions as to why I am backing out of the race for mayor. Nothing could be further from the truth! I'm in the race for the long haul. :-)

Out of the closet

Today both the Colorado Springs Gazette and the Colorado Springs Business Journal reported on my cancer, and also noted that it may force me to drop out of the race for mayor of Colorado Springs. Cat's outta the bag! At any rate, I have no plans to drop out of the race at this time. Heck - I'm just getting started!

Appointments

I have my next appointments set. July 19th I will travel to Denver to meet with Doc Crawford and talk through the mapping biopsy procedure. Then on 24 Aug I will get the mapping biopsy. The mapping biopsy is a relatively new procedure - it's been around 4 or 5 years. Whereas my last biopsy was 12 samples, this could be as many as 90 samples! The idea is to create a 3-dimensional picture of the prostate and gain a precise understanding as to the scope of the cancer. I will be "under" during the procedure and it could be a couple of days taking it easy after the procedure. However, once the results are back we will all have a better view of the road ahead. Thanks to all for your support!

Dennis Hopper

Yesterday we lost a great actor and artist - Dennis Hopper -who passed away from complications of prostate cancer. Dennis was diagnosed last October as part of testing during hospitalization for dehydration. By the time his cancer was detected, it had spread throughout his body. Guys - get checked annually!

The Blog

Today I start medication - Proscar. One of the possible side effects is additional body hair, and I am hopeful it will target that thinning spot on the back of my head!

Now that the second opinion is here, I have told the kids. I'm not worried, and neither should they be. I have consulted with my closest friends, family, and both my doctors regarding this blog. All have been supportive. In fact, Jerry said that many men are devastated when faced with the diagnosis. I guess the fact that I have been informed for years makes this easier for me to face. I'm not dealing with it alone - I have a wonderful support team of family, friends, and doctors. In fact, Dave told me today that guys with prostate cancer golf better - I can't wait to take his skins money! I will continue to blog on my progress. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. I'll do the best I can to reply.

Side comments

I should say at this point that I am no stranger to prostate cancer. In fact, I met Dave at a Prostate Cancer Education Council golf tournament. As fate would have it, I was placed in his fouresome, and we became golfing pals. I also became involved in the cause to not only educate guys (and their families) regarding prostate cancer but also in the research to help treat and ultimately find a cure. Through my association with Dave and the PCEC I learned that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. If you are a minority, the odds are 1 in 3. Nearly 200,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, and 1 in 35 will die from it - PRIMARILY BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GET A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST! Guys - this is not a macho thing. You owe it to your loved ones to get checked. Ladies - press your man to get checked! Catch this demon early and the odds of survival are good.