George - After "Will I live?" the second biggest question I would want know is how soon were you able to return to normal sexual function and was it 100% from what it was prior to treatment?  Thanks, Stuart

I too was diagnosed early with prostate cancer and immediately thought it was a death sentence.  After months of research, I opted for surgery.  After 18 months, I'm cancer free and look forward to a long life.

I encourage any man over 50 to get tested!  PSA and DRE tests are your keys to detection and treatment.  Early detection leads to a better prognosis.

George - Welcome to the rest of your life.  I was diagnosed with prostate cancer ( 7 on the Gleason Scale, psa of 6.4), went through proton radiation at M.D. Anderson here in Houston, Texas.  Graduated last July, and psa has been at 0.2 since then.
Still building my energy and testosterone levels back to normal.

Wonderful story.  Thanks for sharing!  Two questions: "How long are you immobile for each treatment?  It appears open...but is it at all claustrophobic?"  All the best.

Dear Mr. Lewis, I have been a volunteer with Cancercare,based in N.Y.C., the organization whose program is one of support, counseling and financial assistance when appropriate, for cancer patients, their families and caregivers.  Please call them, it would be worthwhile to list them as a resource.  Their tag line is "life does not end when cancer begins". You might pull up their website www.cancercare.org. See all the pertinent information.

Thanks for sharing your story with the world.  I'm so proud that I did my research and decided on Proton treatment myself.  I'm glad that you took your profession and used it to spread the word on proton treatment.  I had my treatment last summer and feel great.......God Bless You.
 I'm a teacher and coach from Minnesota, it took a huge leap of faith for me to go to Loma Linda......but that's what all this is about.....faith.

There are other centers (sadly, only a few) in the U.S. offering proton beam therapy. Texas, Florida, Indiana and Massachusetts have the huge and expensive atom-smashers needed to generate protons. The protons give up less damaging energy on entering the pelvis and expend all their power on the prostate itself, so you have less damage to your urinary tract or bowels. It's rare and costs more, but proton therapy is superior and will be much more widely available in the near future when more cyclotrons are built. I'm about half-way through my 40 treatment schedule at Mass. General in Boston and feel Bob Marckini, George and thousands of other men have made the very best decision possible.

I am also interested in return to normal sexual function after this treatment.  My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago and we opted for surgery.  This was little else available at the time.  We are pleased with the outcome because he is still cancer free and in good health, but it did come at a cost.  We like to keep up to date with other options because we are asked so often from men when they are diagnosed and we want to be able to give them educated opinions.

Like you, I received news of having prostate cancer a few years back.  I was advised if I took radiation or seed implants and it did not work, it would be to late for complete removal of the prostate.  Death from prostate cancer is very painful (as is any death) All of my doctors suggested removal.  NONE however told me about after effects.  I had extreme incontinence. A year later, after wearing pads and diapers, I opted at the encouagement of a local Urologist to have a male sling implant.  He said I would be back to normal in a very few days.  Wrong!!  I wore a catheter for approximately 3 months before they removed it.  Then back to male pads and diapers for several months.  I finally saw another Urologist in Arlington Texas (a Godsend) who ran many test and found the male sling had been improperly inserted and had rubbed a hole in my urthrea.  He immediately (within 2 days) removed the sling and I had to wait and see doctors for 1 year to let this "botched job" heal.  On July 28, 2007, my doctor in Arlington inserted another male sling and within 3 days, I was almost dry.  I will never be completely dry but oh my what a difference.  Another downfall doctors dont seem to tell you when the prostate is removed, all sexual activity is over. There are some items which can be used to temporarily enhance your ability but that does not interest me in the least.  It appears Mr. Lewis,  you have had great success and I applaud your decision.  Have a great life!

George, I am a Loma Linda Aumni of 2006.......What a great experience at LLMU, as you well know..You went to the right place.
My PSA was 4.8 and is currently 0.9.
Thanks to LLMU and many discussions with Bob Marckini.
As he would say, Lower PSA's to all.
All the best

Mr. Lewis,  I watched your report about your prostate cancer experiences on the Today show this morning.  My husband, Rupert Wentworth, was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 1/2 years ago.  He wanted to do proton therapy ( he was a chemist and understand the principles of external, internal, and proton radiation), but because there were only two facilities at the time, he opted for brachytherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.  Unfortunately, that procedure did not prove successful and in 2000 his cancer metastasized.  By this time we had read and read and became convinced that a wholistic approach involving not only exercise and spiritual and emotional support, but also diet was the best way to deal with cancer.  We went to the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care in Evanston which offers conventional approaches along with the diet, etc.  Rupert had intermittent hormone blockade and adhered to the diet and exercise regimens prescribed by Block.  For seven years, Rupert lived a full life, even though he had been told two times that he had a year to live.  Last February 2007, he was bicycling in Florida, but sadly, by April he was becoming symptomatic and became weakened by various treatments.  He died on 5 September 2007.

Yes , Rupert did die, but he and I and our friends are thoroughly convinced that his diet, exericse, and attitude allowed him to be fully engaged in life until last May.  More and more research points to the importance of a good diet and lays fault at the door of the typical American diet for most of the cancers.  I know that doctors rarely emphasize diet and some even scoff at the notion that what we eat affects our whole being.  But, Dr. Block believes it, Rupert, the skeptical chemist believed it, and now Johns Hopkins has even acknowledged the importance of things considered "alternative" in the treatment of cancer.  I hope that as you continue to live and appreciate life, that you might investigate all of the work being done relative to diet and disease.  Challenging the dietary mores of Americans is not easy, but our health depends on it.  Rupert would say so.

By the way, Rupert wrote a book about his life with metastatic cancer
called CAUGHT WITH MY PANTS DOWN.  The small section about treatments is outdated, but the bulk of the book is informative, inspirational, and humorous.  

Best wishes as you continue on the road of dealing with cancer.  May you have good health.

My comment is about the girl in the GREEN dress on today show....  PLEASE get her a bra she may as well not have anything on! I'm very displeased with the people on the Today Show!

I am pleased at your treatment Mr. Lewis. However, I would have liked to have heard if every man in this country would have access to the treatment you chose.

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for this treatment. What options do those low income men who have no health insurance coverage?

Although, this was a diary of your cancer treatment, I was annoyed that there was no mention if every man diagnosed with prostate cancer may not have your advantages. There was an element of false hope in your news segment.

Mr. Lewis:  The story of your journey, treatment and excitement about Loma Linda was wonderful and will certainly inspire many men who have to make the same decisions about their treatment options.  Your openess to discuss your treatment publicly is commendable.  I finished Proton treatment at Loma Linda in December of '07, and found my experience there to be equally a physically, mentally, and spiritually wonderful and revitalizing 'radiation vacation'.  Thank you for your story...and best to you always.

George, congratulations from another proton patient.

Your viewers should also be aware that the treatment is covered by Medicare and most major insurers ... and that there soon will be nearly a dozen treatment centers in the United States offering proton therapy.

When I was diagnosed (PSA 4.5) last year, I not only reached the same conclusions as you about treatment, I also went to Loma Linda (from Boston; even though MGH here also does proton therapy, in 20 years they have only treated 300 prostate patients with it, compared to Loma Linda's nearly 9,000). I was in the same treatment room and had the same crew of technicians--but never got that goodbye kiss from Livia!.

At my first six-month follow-up in April, my PSA had dropped to 0.7, and I have no side effects whatever. May you have the same gratifying results.

Dear Mr. Lewis, I have been patiently waiting to call Loma Linda on a date they assigned to me three months ago to get a consultation. They told me there was no waiting list. I called again today to clarify that there is no waiting list. Please correct this misinformation. Congratulations on your success, William Kilgrow

Mr. Lewis: My prostate cancer sounds similar to yours--PSA 4.8, except I have a gleason of 9. I had 40 standard radiation treatments ending about a year ago. I didn't hear you speak about hormone therapy. I started taking Lupon injections a couple of months prior to my radiation treatments, and will continue to take these injections for another year. Do you have any information about combining hormone and radiation treatments?

George, I know you've probably been deluged with many suggestions for various treatments, cures, alternative health approaches, etc. Well, here's another--just read this and was very impressed so thought you might like to take a look (along with everyone else who reads this message). Best of luck to you! Here's the info website: germancancerbreakthrough.com

God bless you and your family.  Thank you for sharing your experience and health issues with Prostate Cancer.  Now that there are more and more of us hitting the over 40 and over 50 crowd, it is paramount that we become as well versed as possible on health issues and options.  Sharing the experience and the knowledge will be one of the keys to survival of these health treatments and successes.  

I am a volunteer chairperson for the local American Cancer Society - Relay for Life and early detection, education and support are all strong messages of our "Fight Back" theme.  Once again, thank you somuch for sharing your life event with us to help spread the word.

I hope we someday get to see the photos of you walking your daughters down the isle and those Grandbabies that are to come!  Lower PSA to all!

George -- you are inspiring to those with a prostate cancer dianosis.  Colo-rectal cancer runs in my family although what started out as colon cancer in my father layed low for a while after many treatments but then reappeared later in his prostate.  He eventually succumbed to it.  That was back in 1992. There have been many innovationis since then.  I work at a cancer cupport organization in St. Louis called The Wellness Community.  I will pass on the information about you and your battle to our Executive director and our Program Director and eventually to our prostate cancer networking group.

Hang in there.  

I had proton therapy for my prostate cancer at loma linda about 18 months ago. About 100 other men were being treated with me. All but 1 had the need to urnate more often during treatment that  was gone after treatment.There were no other side effects .Protons deposite the majority of the radiation in the tumor with significantly less in good tissue elimination side effects. it also may provide more radiation to the tumor increasing the cure rate.The cost is approved by Medicare and most health insurance companies.

My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003. His gleason scale was at 10 and PSA was low at around 4.5 when he was diagnosed.  Speaking as a daughter, it was very tough to see someone I loved go through cancer and one feels so utterly helpless because there is really nothing that can be done to help other than to just be there.  Fortunately there are many treatment options out there for prostate cancer patients.  Those options helped my dad in his battle against prostate cancer and he lived his life to the fullest every day.  My biggest wish and hope is that one day there will be a cure for cancer.  My heart goes out to cancer patients and their families.  I wish you the very best in your fight against prostate cancer, George.  Thank you for sharing a very personal journey.        

Dear George,
I was so good to hear your story after so many years after we worked together in Burbank... and good to see your girls all grown up.
Keep in touch and congratulations to you and Cecilia.

Hi Mr Lewis,
I just watched your piece regarding your experience with prostate cancer and treatment. I wish you all the best and thanks for sharing your experience and information with the public. I just wanted to comment on one item in that the Radiation therapists who you mentioned as a friendly team of technicians are actually technologists. I am a radiologic technologist performing CT, MR and Mammography. I am registered and credentialed both in California and nationally with an education and training by an accredited program. We are technologists because of that. To title us as technicians is incorrect and implies that we just push a button on a machine without any thought to what we do. I wanted to educate you and the public about that as we have many states in this country who do not require that education, training and credentials that we have in California. Those people are technicians and are not at the standard of what is acceptable care. Many people in this country are not aware of this and assume the opposite. I have been to Washington to lobby for a change in this standard and to make it uniform across the country. Thank you.
Lorenza CLausen, RT (R)(CT)(MR), CRT

My husband completed proton beam therapy at Loma Linda this past Janaury.  We are so lucky that we found the Loma Linda program.  Neither his internist nor his urologist told us anything about this treatment.  He was ready to opt for surgery but luckily I had dinner with a friend and she told me about Loma Linda.  My husband has absolutley no side effects from treatment: no incontinence, no ED, no bowel problems.  Proton therapy is a miracle and we are grateful to Loma Linda and grateful to Bob Marchini for his efforts in educating everyone about this option.

Hi! George, my prayers are with you.  My friends told me to think positive when my doctor found a cancerous tumor in my bladder last September. Since then, my follow up test have been good.  So think positive and god bless.

George,

Thanks for sharing your story.  My brother recently received the "seeds" treatment and is doing well!

After watching NBC news for a number of years, it almost feels like I get to know the anchors and reporters.  So, needless to say, I wanted to wish you the best.  

I am sure you chose the best treatment for yourself and your (girls), and it sounds like you are feeling better than before you were diagnosed.

I hope to hear futher reports on your achievements.

Life Is Good!

Linda Smith, Stoneham, MA

George:
I am also a prostate cancer survior.  I opted for the DaVinci robot assisted nerve sparing surgery.  My surgery was in January of 2005.  I am still "clean" and anxiously awaiting the 5 year benchmark.

I have no problems at all with my urination.  One piece of advice someone told me about before the surgery was an excercise called "keegal" (sp?).  I did keegals faithfully everyday for 2 months prior to the surgery.  I continue to do keegals at stop signs, red lights and watching tv.  Its the one mechanicism that you have control of that can help with the urination problem.

Sexual activity was at a minimum for 6 months after surgery.  However, with a combination of the continuing keegals and levitra therapy spontaneous erections are returning.  

The very best part of this journey is my appreciation for every day my feet hit the floor and I get another day.  I have recently become a buddy in the Buddy to Buddy program for helping newly diagnosed prostate cancer men.  You should look into the program it will make your days much more fulfilling.   Live long George and good luck!!!!

Great Job George.  I was diagnosed in Oct, 2003 after an annual physical indicated a lump on the prostate.  I had a prostatectomy in Dec.  After the surgery, I had two good PSA tests.  In Sept, 2004, my PSA went up meaning the cancer was again growing.  In Oct, 2004, I had 36 direct radiation treatments and my urologist started me on Lupron hormone therapy.  I finished my hormone shots in March, 2007.  I am now cancer free and having PSA checks every six months.  I have ED and some incontentance.  Bottom line George, I'm enjoying life.  It seems all we hear about is the men who die of prostate cancer.  I hate to hear my friends say "I'm healthy and haven't seen a doctor in years.  Thank God they found my cancer early as I had a 9 gleason score.   Thanks for a great article on the survivors.

God Bless you - I have had family members pass away from cancer - staying positive and thinking about only the good things is so important to prolonging life! It's easy to focus on the negatives but that will not help. God Bless!

George  Congrats on your decision.   I am a 3 year graduate of protons at Loma Linda.  My psa is 0.1 with all functions intact.  Sonja and I had a 3 month golfing vacation and it was great for our marriage.  Thanks for spreading the word.

Doug

George, thanks for sharing your story.  Your style and your award-winning reporter “credentials” will help people dealing with prostate and other types of cancer understand that proton radiation may be the best possible treatment approach for their situation.

As a recent "graduate" of Loma Linda it is amazing to me how few men (and doctors, it seems) know of the superior treatment that proton radiation provides; and not just for prostate cancer but for many others, including eye and brain cancers.  While at Loma Linda my wife and I met numerous children who were receiving the great treatment and care your spoke of in your report for those types of very difficult to deal with diseases.

 

Hi George,  
I'm the person who sends you E-alerts (re: Earthquakes), but my question is about prostate cancer.

My father is going through treatment as well, my only question to you is, what do you do for a loved-one who is closed off and doesn't discuss how they are feeling, their treatment, etc.?  Any advice?  I live a few states away, so I try to send occasional positive, uplifting messages to him, to which there is usually no response.  Thank you for your messages of hope.

George:  Enjoyed your article.  I am 64, and opted for robotic surgery.  I am still dealing with some minor incontinence 3 months after surgery.  It is an annoyance, but a lot better than having cancer. Cannot agree more about the need for regular PSA evaluations, and being grateful for what you have.  

Mr. Lewis:

Thanks for sharing your personal experience so men will "get the word" and go for annual examinations.  I was diagnosed with prostate cancer when I was 45.  I, too, received the good news-bad news comment from the urologist.  Fortunately, the tumor had been caught early.  I opted for surgery based on several variables.  Everything went well, and I have not had to deal with any major side effects.  At the age of 61, I encourage every man to get checked.  Since there aren't any apparent signs of prostate cancer, it's the only way to "stay in the game" for a longer period of time.  

I teach at the college level and always share my public service announcement with my classes.  I don't forget to mention to the young men in my classes that they need to do a monthly testicular self-examine.  Guys have to deal with possible testicular cancer from ages 15-35 and then have prostate cancer to consider for the remainder of their lives.  I trust that men are becoming more conscientious about their overall health.

Wishing you continued good health and a long life.  

GO GEORGE! How generous of you to share your personal story with us. I hope this helps other men to get checked out. Knowledge is power. Finding any cancer early is a huge advantage.

You are an inspiration, George. Enjoy your new perspective on life...and have a ball at your daughters' weddings!

Get well soon, George.  I look forward to your newcasts for many years to come!

Hi George, I wish you all the best in your subsequent health after the protron treatment. I went the radical prostatectamy route. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 57. My Gleason score was 7 out of 10. Sure I was scared about the side effects but I wanted to live a long time to see my grand kids and I wanted the cancer out of my body. I went to a top physician at NY Columbia Presbyterian who felt the same way. My bladder control was great within about a month. My sexual sensation was not so I had a penile implant which works great all the time. All prostate cancer patients should know this option. There is no discomfort with the implant and I reach orgasm like everyone else, I just do not have any semum because the prostate gland is gone. Since I am not having any more children it does not matter to me.

If you are satisfied that is all that matters. Again I wish you all the best.

I READ YOUR STORY AND WAS TOUCHED....MY BROTHER HAS CANCER AND IS A 5 YEAR SURVIVOR. YOU KNOW HE ALWAYS TOLD ME THE REASON HE IS STILL HERE IS FIRST GOD'S BLESSING AND SECOND DUE TO HIS PA (POSITIVE ATTITIUDE)  BLESS YOU GEORGE AND KEEP YOUR FAITH...
YOUR IN MY THOUGHTS

congratulations george; as a 2 time kidney cancer survivor and 6 years cancer free. i  want you to say hello to the rest of your life. my twin brother had prostate cancer and elected to have robotic surgery. he is now 2 years cancer free. i too had the pleasure of walking my oldest daughter down the aisle and what a thrill it was to have family and friends there. remember keep a positive attitude on life

George,

"Call it", that is exactly what was going through my mind when I chose proton beam therapy at Loma Linda for my prostate cancer. Your diary brought back fond memories of my experience at Loma Linda.

I think my "call" was the best one that I have made in my life. After 19 months post treatment, still no collateral damage. Lower PSA's to all.

Find a mona-vie distributor near you.  It's an amazing product that you need to check out.  Go to www.brighart.com and see for yourself.

I opted for IMRT radiation treatment. This is a more focused radiation beam but not as specific as proton treatment. Results are good with minimal side affects. One thing of note, the personnel I dealt with at Condell Med. Center in Libertyville, IL were outstanding and I feel that only very special people enter the field of cancer treatment. When I graduated from treatment they celebrated by blowing bubbles, accompained with hugs. Good Luck and Good Living!

George ~ I am so grateful that you have shared your story with the NBC audience. More people need to know about proton treatment. Those of us who've been to Loma Linda for share the wonder of it all and want to spread the word. Also, it was a great pleasure to meet you at Loma Linda just as you were beginning treatment. Thanks for helping me with my speech to the support group there and for your nice comments about my book, "Don't Fear the Big Dogs" which chronicles my experience at Loma Linda in 2004.  Thanks again. ~ Bill Vancil

George, it's Nancy Fouch; Bill's daughter from San Diego. You remember that guy you used to report with all those years ago. Long time no see or talk, but then again I live in the middle of nowhere now. I just saw this, and I am really sorry to hear it...crying a bit. You are family. I am grateful for your story, and how you are taking this public. Who knows how many men's lives you will save. Your reporting always left me in awe. You will be in my prayers, and I will keep reading. Love ya.

Nancy

George, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last October and after going over all the treatment options, I chose CyberKnife Radiation treatment.  This involved only 5 days of treatment, each lasting about 1 hour.  My PSA went from 4.9 to 0.8 at the last test a week ago!  I had very few side effects from this treatment and feel blessed to live in Naples, FL where this new technology is available.  I am fortunate that my cancer was caught early since I have an annual physical including PSA and digital examination.  I am looking forward to being at my 6 year old granddaughter's wedding many years from now!
I was happy to hear your story and see that you are in great shape too!

Bill

Hi, i was told by a Urologist friend of mine that having External Radiation Treatment can lead some negative results in the bladder and colon. Is there any truth to this?  I'm 64 yrs old and have early cancer and presently on the hormone treatment for the time being.

is the proton therapy the same as Ext Radiation Treatment??  

George,

What a great story, will be sharing the video with friends and families alike. As an associate of the marvelous Bob Marckini's (I head up a team of folks at Lulu.com where Bob published his fantastic book), I'm so glad you were able to connect with him and learn about your options.

Best of luck on your upcoming check up.  You're now part of the Loma Linda family, which I've learned from Bob is quite a family.  Could quite possibly be a blessing in disguise.

Best to you and your family!

Hi, I heard and read of this other procedure for Prostate Cancer called HIFU, mostly done in Germany.  Expensive though.  What do you think.  Supposed to have the least side effects?  M

Dear George:
LIke you my prostate cancer was somewhat aggresive on the Gleason scale.   I found a web site that was very helpful in my decision making.  It is "YANA" which stands for "You Are Not Alone". I had my prostate removed by Dr. Kawachi at the City of Hope in L.A. Yes it's invasive but ridding my body of the cancer was paramount.  All went and is well.

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