Prostate cancer diagnosis a life changer in more ways than one

If you are ever faced with the need for prostate cancer surgery, what you do before that surgery and the support network you have around you can make all the difference, says 74-year-old Jack Paul.

Kegel exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles can not only assist in the recovery phase but can help in regaining erectile function, which is always a concern when faced with prostate surgery, said Jack.

The local support group was also invaluable in hearing others’ personal experiences, said Jack’s wife Bonnie.

For husband and wife to work in partnership through this difficult time is key, said Jack.

Through the process of diagnosis, surgery and visits to doctors they employed a strategy they feel worked well. Bonnie would focus her gaze on Jack so that the doctor’s focus would be there too. They would bring another family member to take notes that they could refer to later.

Jack had always been diligent about regular physicals and baseline tests. He is a pilot, and regular aviation medicals are thorough. About a year ago there was suddenly a spike in his PSA (ProstateSpecific Antigen) levels. A second test was done followed by a biopsy in December 2016. He was told he had cancer of the prostate. “C is not a good word,” said Jack. In their family cancer is always a small ‘c’ word, said Bonnie. Their daughter fought breast cancer successfully so they have had a thorough understanding of that word and its ramifications. When she heard about her father’s diagnosis she asked if he was worried.

“Worry is the most needless thing you can do,” said Jack. However, the diagnosis was a shock. “It’s life changing,” said Jack. By January this year Jack was undergoing a bone scan to determine if the cancer had spread to his bones — the most likely place to spread from the prostate, he explained. It had not spread.

There are several options when it comes to treatment. For Jack, it was a relatively simple decision — if the cancer is contained in the prostate then removing it removes the cancer.

In the local support group it became clear each person makes a very personal choice regarding the options for treatment depending on their comfort level, said Jack.

On May 23 this year Jack had microrobotics surgery, which he says is the least invasive.

The recovery was rather swift. Although he took three months off work he was actually golfing six weeks after surgery.

He told his daughter that in 10 years time he will be celebrating a decade of being cancer free and she would be celebrating 20 years cancer free.

If there is one message Jack wants to make clear it is the need for regular PSA level tests. There are no symptoms to watch for — regular testing is key.

“Jack is the perfect cancer story,” said Bonnie. “It was found early, treated early and handled.”

“Take it out of the play,” said Jack. “This is called life. There is only one swing at the bat.”

Prostate cancer affects one in seven men and September is prostate cancer awareness month.

You can reach the Medicine Hat Prostate Cancer Support Groups by calling the chair, Hugh English, 403-5025863 or Phil Buisseret at 403-548-6297.