Bill: A Prostate Cancer Survivor

Provided by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley and Oakland, California

Hi, I'm Bill. I'm a 3 year prostate cancer survivor.

6 years ago, when we lost my Dad to prostate cancer, I knew I was at increased risk of getting this disease. I had regular check ups, DREs, PSA checks, I exercised, ate and lived healthfully, but it wasn't enough.

When I received my diagnosis, it was a difficult period for me. I was rather fearful, confused, skeptical about my chance of survival - feeling a bit like a minnow in a shark tank. So then I decided it's not what happens to you, it's what you do with it.

So I got busy. I set out to learn all I could about this disease. The information on Prostate Cancer and its treatments I found is huge, and sometimes rather overwhelming.

As I researched, I often found conflicting data even. The cliché,"like drinking from a fire hose" really was accurate. What seemed to be lacking was a single credible clearing house of information for newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer patients, like me.

Fortunately, I had excellent doctors at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center who can support my need to comprehend Prostate Cancer and its therapies.

In the process, they supported me getting second opinions, even third opinions, so I could really get my mind around the disease to defeat it.

I also got solid information from Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Services and through it, was put in touch with Prostate Cancer survivors, like me, who could help me make decisions on next steps.

Now after several effective therapies at Alta Bates Summit for my aggressive cancer, I find myself in 'management mode'.

I watch my diet, exercise, manage stress, but still maintain a healthy appetite for Prostate Cancer information that I love to share with fellow survivors in Markstein's Prostate Cancer support groups.

It's gratifying when men come in worried but leave looking confident, sometimes even smiling, knowing that there is real hope and the strong probability that they're going to be OK.

• Category

  Education

[amygreenification]

You asked a valid question, one others might be wondering about too. Please call your doctor and ask for a call-back from the advice nurse. Share your concern with the advice nurse and they will tell you if you need an appointment with the doctor or not. 

[amygreenification]

Please contact your physician if you have any medical questions or concerns. If you need a doctor, visit the Alta Bates Summit website and click Find A Doctor to search for one near you. Thanks.

[willspurg1]

This guy tells it like it is. Very honest but still positive message of hope for men with PC. Amazing cup half full mentality.