Jim Lamberth

<< All Prostate Cancer Survivors

I feel that I am one of the most fortunate people to ever have cancer. I make this statement with all humility, thanks to God and the people I will mention in this article.

In July 1997, I went to my doctor for a "wellness physical" offered by my health insurance policy, my first in over ten years. He did a "digital" exam of my prostate and ordered a P.S.A. test from my blood work. When the P.S.A. 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 a 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 I. 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", 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 Brachytherapy. He gave me the information and from that word my son-in-law and I found Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center (Southwestern) on the Internet over the Thanksgiving holiday. Monday after that I dialed the 1-800 number. I have been overwhelmed from that first call until this day 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 family. You may notice I have not used the term Hospital. This place doesn't seem like a Hospital; it doesn't even "smell" like a Hospital. After you have visited with the other patients in the Cafeteria for about the first thirty 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 here were not so fortunate. Many of them were sent home to die from other Hospitals. The unending stories about how different patients found this place are amazing.

The only frustrating thing about my whole experience is the fact that I have failed in trying to convince several people that I care about to bring their cancer to CTCA to be treated.

Only time will prove if I have made the right choice for myself. The treatment has been virtually painless. The "symphony of treatments", Hormone therapy, high dose rate TEMPORARY brachytherapy and external radiation sounds like they are combining the best known "fighters" to win this battle. I realize that I am part of a group that is building the "history" of this type of treatment. My confidence is boosted by the fact that I am not walking around "radiated" with permanent seeds. The success of CTCA that I have come to know about from other patients with all types of cancer also causes me to be optimistic about my case.

One promise they have already kept is that they promised not to hurt me. I said that if they did, I was going to ask for a "refund". I cannot honestly ask for one. My hope and my prayer is that this type treatment and attitude will soon be available in more places than just CTCA.