Jim Lamberth
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<< All Prostate Cancer Survivors
I found this place “first.”
I feel that I am one of the most fortunate people to ever have had cancer. I make this statement with all humility, thanks to God and the people that “made it happen.”
In July 1997, I went to my doctor for a "wellness physical" offered by my health insurance policy, my first in over 10 years. He did a "digital" exam of my prostate and ordered a PSA test from my blood work. When the PSA came back a "6," he explained that my prostate was not enlarged and the "6" was marginal, but he would feel more comfortable if I would agree to go to an urologist for a sonogram and biopsies.
One biopsy out of six showed a grade 5 cancer. The doctor said I was fortunate, since the biopsies could have missed the cancer on one side or the other. He explained the "options" to my sweet wife and me. They were: watchful waiting, hormone therapy, permanent seed implants, radiation, or surgery. We had some time to decide since my cancer was the "slow growing type."
I immediately began my research into prostate cancer. A friend of mine had just recently had the permanent seed implants. He was doing well, but explained that he could not be around small children or childbearing age women for three months. When questioned, my urologist said that was "old wives tales," and that I should not to worry. These opposing views from two "professional" men worried me. (Will the real truth please stand up?) I was also told that the permanent seeds, which I would "wear" for life, could migrate from the prostate. This procedure started out as my "first choice," but it was losing favor fast. Another friend's urologist, a noted surgeon, drew him a picture of the prostate on a piece of paper. He then took the paper, wadded it up and threw it in the trash can. He said, "When I do surgery, this is what happens to the prostate and the cancer." This sounded real good.
When I told my doctor I decided to have surgery, he insisted I reconsider in light of some new information he had just gotten off the Internet concerning High-Dose Rate (HDR) TEMPORARY brachytherapy. He gave me the information, and from that name of the treatment, my son-in-law and I found Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. We found this on the Internet over the Thanksgiving holiday (1997).
I dialed the 1-800 number the Monday after that. I have been overwhelmed from that first call until this day (Aug 08, 2008) by the upbeat, happy attitude of everyone associated with this Center; from the driver that picked us up at the airport to the patients in the cafeteria. The administrative staff, nurses, technicians, food service people, housekeeping people, and doctors all make you feel you are a part of one big happy, helping, caring family. After you have visited with the other patients in the cafeteria for about the first 30 minutes, you realize that these people came here to get well; they didn't come here to be sick.
The title at the beginning "that I found this place first" means a lot to me. Most of the people I have met at the Center were not so fortunate. Many of them were sent home to “get their things in order” from other “treatment centers.”
In my original “story” I said, “Only time will prove if I have made the right choice for myself. The treatment has been virtually painless.”
Well, “time had proven” that I made the best choice. I have been “cancer free” from March 3, 1998 until this day, August 8, 2008 with a PSA still of 0.10. I am not “walking around” wondering where the seeds are. I left the “radiation” at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, OK.
The success of CTCA that I have come to know about from other patients with all types of cancer also causes me to realize that I made the right choice.
After my treatment in March ’98, I started “monitoring” three prostate cancer support groups. We share “our stories,” both success and problems. I have read so many e-mails about men who had terrible problems following their treatment. Some from the men personally, many from family members, wives, daughters, etc., either asking for help or explaining the problems they were experiencing following their treatment.
I am confident and happy to say I have never read one of these “sad stories” from a man who chose HDR. Because of this, and my own experience, I have encouraged many men to “consider HDR,” especially at CTCA because I know “their reputation” as a “Cancer Center.”
As I said at the beginning of this story, “I am one of the most fortunate people I know.” My sweet wife, Miz Beth, who I married when she was just 16 years old on May 25, 1952, was the one who insisted I have a “wellness physical.” She had her first stroke Sept. 15, 1996, before my cancer was diagnosed. The stroke left her “legally blind” and weak on the left side. I became her “caregiver” at that time. Because of the good treatment and help I received from all of the CTCA people, not just the ones at Southwestern Regional Medical Center, I have been able to “survive prostate cancer” and continue being her “caregiver” through her many medical problems until she “passed away” on July 7, 2008.
I am now 76 years young. (Do the math and you will find that I was 20 the day we bought our marriage license.) Because of the good treatment of my cancer and my “natural good health,” I have been “chief cook, bottle washer, guide dog, lover, and caregiver” for these 12 wonderful years.
In addition to all that, I have been able to continue to maintain a small ranch, work and haul cattle, build fence, drive my tractor, and best of all, ride my horse. I just got the one in the picture above. He and I are still trying to “figure each other out.” I still love to “dig the post holes by hand.” As for exercise, I think it beats golf and accomplishes much more.
YES, I am bragging, but I do it humbly. I didn’t do it by myself. I have strength and wisdom from God and the help of CTCA to maintain my good health.
I love to talk to people about the bible and Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I try to never miss an opportunity to discuss both with people. If you are ever in San Antonio, Texas, I am in the phone book. Give me a call and come on out. We will dig a few post holes. After that we will drink a little coffee and talk. It is my prayer that I will be allowed a lot more time to do this.
