John VS. Prostate Cancer

Greetings,

Thank all of you who have taken the time to contribute to this fight, reached out by phone, text, or email, and offered wisdom and support. It means more to me than you will ever know, and I greatly appreciate the love you've shown. I also would like to share my story, update you on my situation and treatment plan, and answer some commonly asked questions.

As many of you are aware, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. The diagnosis took me by surprise. I scheduled a physical for the first time in 5 years because my blood pressure was uncomfortably high, and I needed medication to address that issue. When I called to schedule the exam, my primary care physician recommended that I get blood work done before the exam. Those results showed that I had an elevated level of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), a symptom of an issue with the prostate. My doctor referred me to a urologist, who ordered another round of tests and performed a biopsy, confirming the existence of cancerous cells within the gland.

That began my journey to learn as much as I could about prostate cancer and its treatment options.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers. It affects 1 out of 8 men. The odds are even worse if you are African-American, with 1 out of 6 men falling victim to it. If you are reading this and are a male over 40, I can't stress enough the importance of getting an annual PSA blood screen. If nothing else, it will provide a baseline for you and your physician to keep track of any changes.

Another fact about prostate cancer is that it is typically slow-growing. Traditionally, it takes two years for the cells to double in size. It's often said that many men die with prostate cancer, not from it.

There are three main treatment options for prostate cancer, each with pros and cons.

Option one is Radical Prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate. A surgeon assisted by a robot typically performs this. Incisions are made in the abdomen to allow the surgeon to access and remove the prostate and cancerous cells. The patient checks into the hospital, has surgery, and is released the next day. There's a week of wearing a catheter, and most people walk during the first week after the procedure and recover within a month. Another essential thing to mention is that if cancerous cells return or have escaped the prostate, treatment options are still available.

Radical Prostatectomies come with potential side effects and lingering issues. The prostate sits between the pelvic wall and the bladder. Once removed, the bladder loses the prostate's support, increasing the risk of incontinence. The nerves that allow the body to achieve an erection flow around the prostate. Depending on the severity of the cancer's growth, those nerves can be damaged during the procedure and cause erectile issues. Also, the prostate is a critical component in producing seminal fluid, so once it's removed, patients lose the ability to produce semen.

Next is Hormonal Therapy. Prostate cancer feeds off of testosterone. Hormonal therapy entails blocking the body's ability to produce testosterone to slow the growth of the tumor and buy some time. It's a treatment typically recommended for older patients because the odds are excellent that they will die from something else before the cancer progresses to the point that it becomes deadly. The disadvantages to hormonal therapy are that patients suffer from a loss of sexual desire, experience symptoms of menopause, and, more importantly, still have cancerous cells within their bodies. In essence, it treats the cancer but won't cure the cancer.

The last option is using radiation to treat the cancer. A radiologist shoots targeted beams to the areas of the prostate with cancerous cells. In my instance, radiation therapy would entail a 5-minute daily treatment, five days a week, for 39 weeks, coupled with 6 to 12 months of hormonal therapy treatment. The benefit of opting for radiation is that it's a non-invasive procedure. Additionally, its success rate is similar to having a prostate surgically removed. Also, the nerves surrounding the prostate are less likely to be damaged, so there is a greater probability of avoiding erectile issues.

Like the previous treatments, radiation therapy has disadvantages as well. Radiation scars the tissues around the prostate, meaning if it doesn't work, it makes removing the prostate at a later becomes a challenge. Also, it scars the area around the rectum, which can cause bowel issues. Furthermore, in addition to dealing with the radiation's side effects, you also have to deal with the impact of the hormonal treatment. Lastly, there is still the risk of impotence and incontinence issues.

After meeting with my urologist, a radiologist, and a surgeon and carefully weighing my options, I decided to have my prostate surgically removed on November 6, 2023. It was not an easy decision, but I think it's best for my long-term health and well-being.

This has been one of the most challenging periods of my life. I've felt terrified, overwhelmed, depressed, confident, lost, thankful, and frustrated... Sometimes, I've dealt with all of those issues over a day. It's impossible to be mentally prepared for a diagnosis of cancer. It's also challenging to be financially ready for it.

Navigating the landscape of prostate cancer and its treatment reminds me healing comes with a price. As my surgical date approaches, I am reminded of that even more. The burden of medical expenses, from consultations, exams, lab work, medications, surgery, aftercare, and loss of income, is heavy and adds a level of concern.

The power of collective compassion and your support can make a difference. Your contribution, no matter the size, offers a helping hand in easing the financial burden of this journey.

I would also like to extend an offer to those who live locally and contribute more than $150.00 to receive a gift certificate for a 60-minute magic performance. The certificate will be valid for two years and transferable to a friend or family member.

Thank you for your love and support!

With heartfelt gratitude,

John Williams