John Baddeley journey after HIFU

It is now one year after having HIFU treatment for prostate cancer and it is time to follow up on my journey from the first initial report.

With the help of Ural the stinging whilst urinating subsided after two weeks, what a relief and the feeling of sitting on a lump of concrete finally disappeared about ten weeks after the HIFU procedure. I am not sure if another side effect of this procedure is constipation but I suffered chronic constipation for five weeks. My approach to correct this was through a better diet, more fibre, not by using medications (drugs). I have not had any further problems with constipation.

There was a period of three months immediately after treatment when I felt lethargic and not my normal self but by mid January 2006 this had passed and I was feeling like my young self again.

Dr Stricker gave me one guarantee with HIFU and that was permanent impotency; yes he got that right. One other side effect is I now experience very minor incontinence which I have learned to control and live with.

My first check up was in February 2006 with biopsy and PSA. Fourteen biopsies were taken and all came back with no cancer detected and PSA was 1.3; it was better than winning lotto. My next PSA test was in June 2006, I saw my GP for this result and received a shock when it was 1.9. I believed there had to be an error and requested another blood test. I saw Dr Yaxley for this second test result and it was 1.8. It was explained that the increased PSA could have been due to an irritation or minor infection. It was not time to panic and lets see what the next PSA reading will reveal.

The next blood test was in September 2006 and the PSA had risen to 2.3. Once again I picked myself up from the floor and put on the boxing gloves because this bastard (cancer) is not going to control my life. I have a great team in my corner and we won’t be throwing in the towel. As these levels are still relatively low our next decision on treatment will probably be made in 2007, however I will be having monthly PSA checks.

It is not until we have a problem that we realise life is very short and I make the most of every moment these days. I still believe HIFU is a very effective treatment and would have this procedure again if I have the cancer still localised.

John Baddeley - Elanora QLD