So You Have Prostate Cancer... So What?

Edward G. Thornton, Jr.

This is the beginning of the tale, not the ending. The conclusion of this story has yet to be written, for it is an ongoing epic. I suppose the relevancy of this piece to one's own life is in the eye of the beholder-but then, I think that's true for anything. The information within is to be used however you see fit. I only ask that you share this knowledge free of cost. ~ E.G.T

This all started five years ago in February of '93. A biopsy confirmed I had prostate cancer. After finding out, I questioned God to no end.

"Why me?" I would ask.

Then I remembered President John F. Kennedy saying, "Why Not?"

I soon came to realize exactly "why me." I've been a Civilian Police Dispatcher. I've been a Communications Officer at Brown University. Just the mere fact that I love to talk-as those who know me can attest to-all these things added up. Why me? Because I'm a communicator.

I've known for years that I was born at this time in history for a particular reason. It is the same reason we were all born-to do God's Will. And now, here I was being given a new way to fulfill that obligation. I now had a new job-again, it was one in communications. With the support of my family and friends, I had to survive my cancer, and then tell others going through similar ordeals all about my experience. Knowledge is meant to be shared, and in sharing, one obtains wealth in ways that money cannot touch.

I began my research four years ago. I learned that having prostate cancer is not the end of the world. In fact, if you must have cancer, prostate cancer is the one to have. It is the slowest growing cancer there is. Seventy percent of men, 85-years and older who die of other causes are found to have had prostate cancer.

There are at least seven possible treatments being conducted around the world for prostate cancer. I was informed of the existence of an alternative to surgery-a form of external radiation beam therapy called Radioactive Seed Implant. I first found out about RSI through Dr. Steven Cohen, Chief Urologist at Roger Williams Medical Center in Rhode Island. Dr. Cohen deserves special mention because of the inclusive way he has with his patients; I always felt fully informed with him. It was because of him that I knew I wanted RSI in the first place.

Unfortunately, I was rejected as a suitable candidate for radioactive seed implant therapy. I had to take the "Watchful Wait" route instead. The term Watchful Wait basically refers to a period of time in which you simply undergo close monitoring of your cancer, and the rate at which it is growing. Blood tests, scans, physical examinations, you name it. Most importantly for me, it involved having my PSA levels-Prostate Specific Antigens-taken every 3 months. This monitoring was conducted by my primary care physician, Dr. Mathieu of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

PSA levels are recorded in measurements of nanograms per milliliter of blood. Over the course of these past 5 years, my PSA levels have never risen above 13.8 ng/ml-not much more than my original PSA levels of 8.7 ng/ml. hi fact, over the last five years of having this illness, I never once displayed any known symptoms, nor lost any appreciable time from work.

During this time, I continued by job as a transport driver with SUNOCO, delivering gasoline to the various stations throughout Boston, Worcester and Cape Cod. Everyday, I maintained my divine spirit-my contact with God. That was the most important part of my "treatment," my enduring faith.

In medicine, the word "watchful" in -watchful wait refers to watching the patient's PSA levels. I suppose, during this period, I had another type of watchful wait going on as well-this one having less to do with my body than my soul. My PSA levels weren't rising, but my faith certainly was. I can tell you that during that time driving from station to station, my relationship with God emerged stronger than ever. Perhaps everyone could do with a little watchful wait.

So I watched, and I waited. And then one day, I called Harvard Pilgrim Health Care again, only this tune something was different. This time I was told by Lynn McGovern of Consumer's Relations that, yes, they were allowing referrals for the procedure I'd wanted. I could finally have the Radioactive Seed Implant therapy.

Now I had to get tests. Lots of tests. Blood work, ultra sound, biopsy, etc. I'd gotten all these before, but now I was getting them again. After the watchful wait, this felt like something new. Sort of like All Watch, No Wait. I was told I needed to have these tests again because it had been a few years since I had them before. Things change in a few years, including the growth of cancer cells.

The severity of prostate cancer cells are measured on what's called the Gleason Scale. To my amazement, the new tests were saying that my cancer, which had registered at 5 on the scale previously, was now at only a 6-a rise of a mere point.

I was given the option of going to the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, as opposed to Roger Williams. Was that acceptable to me? The only hesitation was in the time it took to gather my breath to ask, "When can I go?"

My appointment to Dr. Robert Roth, Chief Urologist at Lahey, was as inspiring as a religious happening. His total professionalism and the attitude he exudes is inspiring. I was so impressed with the operation of Lahey that I even took the time to write them an enthusiastic letter of approval.

Dr. Healey, radiation oncologist at Lahey Clinic, along with Dr. Roth, provided me with all the information that I needed to make the final decision to proceed with the RSI therapy. Dr. Robert Mathieu, my primary care physician, maintained my medical records and coordination between these two institutions.

And of course, my wife, Angel, was physically by my side throughout everything.

After repeat exams of every type, I finally had the Radioactive Seed Implant procedure in October of '97. I remember it was on my daughter's birthday-I won't say which, just in case she might read this. I arrived at Lahey at 6:15 in the morning and by 4 PM the same day, I was already on my way home.

So far, I'm doing as expected. There's some discomfort in sitting down, but nothing that wasn't explained to me prior to the procedure. I was out of work exactly three weeks, and when I returned, I returned at full capacity. The only restriction seems to be a no sex rule for two months. I've thought about becoming a monk, but I don't think they would want me. Ha-ha.

So I got through it, as much as one can "get through" something like this. (As I said, the true ending to this story has yet to be written.) This often-ugly potentially devastating thing, this cancer, and I got through it. How? Well, if you haven't guessed the answer to that by now, I can tell you that the one who deserves all the credit isn't me. It's God.

All those wonderful medical practitioners, my friends and especially my wife, Angel-yes, all were instrumental in helping me through this 4-year period. They pulled me through with their expertise, support, and love. But I ask you, who was it that put them in my life in the first place?

I said at the beginning that my obligation in life, as always, has been to fulfill God's promise-the promise to do Thy Will.

Fulfilling God's Will has always been my life's duty. When I got my diagnosis of prostate cancer, that duty did not change, it merely expanded.

It was a Tuesday night around 7PM when God tapped me on the shoulder. He was telling me to go to the Cape. He wanted me to write about my experiences with prostate cancer for others to learn from.

So that's exactly what I did. Upon telling my wife of the plan, she immediately wished me well. Now, that's what I call a marriage. It truly was made in Heaven.

I left her that day at 10:30 AM on November 25th, 1997, and with God on my side, All Season's Motor Inn found a room for me at the very last moment. I returned home on the 29th, 2:15 PM with the paper that you're reading now.

In many ways, I have been very fortunate. God has blessed me with many people in my life who provide rne with support and strength-most notably, my loving and devoted wife, Angel. I like to say that I'm the Devil, so God provided me with an Angel. She has been with me through all of life's trials and tribulations. My prostate cancer is just another trial. By the way, "Angel" and "Devil" celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in November of this year.

I've also benefited from my relationship with other family members, friends and many support groups. I've even made several new friends who are now as much a part of my successful approach to life as my family has ever been.

That is how I have been able to maintain my healthy outlook on life. That is how I have endured my prostate cancer. Family, friends, loved ones, and of course, God.

And if you only learn one thing from reading this paper then please, let it be that.

Your Friend,
Edward G. Thornton, Jr.
3:22 AM, 11/28/97 All Seasons Motor Inn, South Yarmouth, MA

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