Ira’s Prostate Cancer Survivor Story

DEALING WITH DIAGNOSIS

Married for 25 years, Ira and Sharron had supported each other through many ups and downs. When Ira learned he had prostate cancer, Sharron’s unwavering support not only provided Ira with comfort, but it also saved his life.

With an initial diagnosis of stage 4, metastatic cancer, Ira was facing an aggressive treatment plan. It would likely include surgery, hormone therapy and chemo. Before moving forward, he decided to seek a second opinion, which led to more diagnostic testing. Armed with the additional results of a bone biopsy and a PSMA PET scan, doctors were able to give Ira a better prognosis. The “spots” were not cancer which changed his treatment plan – since his cancer had not metastasized, he would only require a robotic prostatectomy. 

Even with a less aggressive treatment plan, Ira and Sharron knew they had a lot to learn to 

prepare for the road ahead. The hospital where he was diagnosed offered an educational class for couples. They jumped at the chance to attend the one-day session. Everything about Ira’s condition and treatment was explained to them together.

“They talked about everything from describing and defining the prostate to talking about sexual activities, incontinence or whatever, it was just a great course, especially for couples and we got really comfortable.”

QUICK THINKING HELPED COUNTER LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATION

While recovering from his prostatectomy at age 61, Ira developed a complication. 

“Everything was fine. But at 2 am on the day that I’m supposed to get my catheter out, I start feeling this pain, like a cramping pain in my leg. I woke my wife up and said, this cramp is killing me. I walked to the center of the bedroom, trying to walk it out. I barely made it back to the bed when I collapsed and fell forward. All I remember was coming to with excruciating pain in my knees and hearing her talking to somebody on 911.” 

Ira learned later that he had developed blood clots in his lungs and in his legs, a rare but potentially fatal complication following surgery. Thanks to quick thinking by his wife Sharron, he was treated successfully and was released after 11 days in the intensive care unit. 

“I thank God my wife was here. That’s the reason why I share that part because I think it’s important that folks need to have somebody with them, you know, especially when you’re recovering from surgery. That’s part of the journey.”

GET MORE INFORMATION 

Ira and Sharron knew more about the prostate than the average couple. Two of Ira’s five brothers already had prostate cancer.  Ira himself had been coping with a pre-existing prostate condition for years. With his personal and family history, Ira’s doctor had also been vigilant about his yearly PSA tests . Having been delayed by COVID-19, she was anxious to get back on schedule and for good reason. His PSA had doubled since his last test and a biopsy revealed a Gleason score Iof 8, indicating an aggressive form of cancer. Even more worrisome, computed tomography scans also showed suspicious spots on his ribs, hip and back.

GATHER YOUR SUPPORT TRIBE

Ira credits his “support tribe” with getting him through it all. But it wasn’t just his family that helped; he found support in unexpected places. When he shared news of his cancer more widely, he started hearing from men in his church and his college fraternity. A few had undergone the same procedure and were doing well years later. He recalls what hearing that meant to him, “I was like, wow, you know, to get that uplift, to get that, ‘you’re gonna be okay guy,’ – it was great.” Speaking to other men who have had his same surgery has also helped prepare him for the side effects. 

Another unexpected source of support came from work. Ira, who teaches information operations as an Army civilian, recalls how telling his employer about his situation helped him mentally, “That was so important for me because it took some stress off. And the last thing you need when you’re going through something like this is additional stress, right?” 

While Ira is appreciative of the friends and family who surrounded him and the countless prayers they offered up on his behalf, the person who inspired him the most on his journey doesn’t even realize his impact – he’s only 2 years old. 

“I’m spending a lot of quality time with my grandson,” he says smiling. “I mean, I love my family, but he gives me pure joy just being around. That’s motivation.”