Hi Jayne, I'm an Aussie. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007. It was picked up early through corrective surgery for an enlarged prostate. My PSA was only 1 at the time which caused my doctor to check via several biopsies. Your dad's score of 0.4 is very good as regards the development of the cancer. Has he had a bone scan? I am one of the truly lucky ones as I am informed that I am cancer free. A bone scan revealed that it had not progressed. My PSA is now undetectable. I know nothing of the Gleason score. It was not a part of my diagnosis. Perhaps Australian doctors do not refer to it.
While I was recuperating and still feeling a bit iffy about my condition I wrote a poem to try to put a more light hearted slant on things. I have posted it here in the hope that it might give your dad a giggle. Cancer research and treatments are evolving quickly these days. With the right advice and treatment your dad should be around to cuddle his grand kids.
Don't Put It Off
It began when I found I could no longer wee,
especially during the night.
It came out in spits and sometimes in spurts
and I thought to myself ... Hell! That doesn't seem right.
Then when I was finished ... I wasn't you see,
'cause drip drip ... drip drip kept bothering me.
So I said to the missus "My plumbings affected."
She said "Darl it's probably badly connected.
You know when you start to get long in the tooth
there are signs to remind you you're not bullet proof.
So I think that it's time an appointment we make
with the doctor. Let's do it before it's too late.
So we did. And when first up Doc put on a glove,
I stepped back apace and said "Hang about love!
I hope you're not thinkin' what I think that you're thinkin'.
But he was. And he did. And I tell ya fair dinkum
the end of the bed rail I firmly took hold.
I nipped and I tucked and I squirmed and I rolled.
When at last it was over, I sat up and waited
while he told me my prostate was large and outdated.
It's not a big problem you'll need a rebore.
Take the stress of your bladder. Won't even be sore.
The bit we remove we'll send off to be checked.
Make sure it's healthy to keep you on deck.
But the doc phoned next week and here comes the crunch.
The news that he had put me right off my lunch.
The pathology's back and you won't like the answer.
I'm sorry to say that your prostate has cancer.
There are several treatments you've heard of no doubt,
and though I believe we should take it all out,
the final decision is still yours to make,
but know what's in store if your prostate I take.
So I asked him to tell me what problems I'd face
if the prostrate was finally removed from its place.
He told me that guys always raised an objection
when told that they'd no longer get an erection
Then my wife interrupted with this sage remark.
"He's an old dog. His bite's really less than his bark.
It's been ages since he carried on like a pup.
These days he needs splints just to keep it all up.
So if leaving it in still raises a doubt,
I agree with you Doc. Just take it all out."
A number of thoughts then rolled round in my head,
but finally I simply chose not to be dead.
Now my PSA rating has dropped below one
and I'm glad I decided to get the job done.
So if your pipe's leaky. If your wee is in strife,
see your Doc early. It may just save you life.
© Warren Cox 2007