Keith’s Prostate Cancer Survivor Story

SECOND TIME AROUND

Keith’s first experience of cancer was when he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer [a type of head and neck  cancer] in 2017. He handled it in a completely different way than his prostate cancer diagnosis that followed 2 years later. 

“Most of my friends didn’t know at all [when I was first diagnosed with cancer]. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, but I didn’t want to burden them with my problem… because they all have their own problems.” 

But talking about prostate cancer helped Keith push ahead at every stage of his journey. 

“Surgery, radiation, and probably chemo [therapy] is where I was headed but because of the scan, the doctor started talking surgery only with none of the bad effects of radiation. Believe me, I went through 37 rounds of radiation [for oropharyngeal cancer] and it’s brutal… If my PSA number starts to go up from 0 or 1, I will be asking about getting another PSMA PET scan.”

ASK QUESTIONS, GET SECOND OPINIONS

Keith reached out to his friend who had been open about his own battle with prostate cancer when he was first diagnosed. The friend was worried because Keith’s doctor did not recommend treatment right away. His friend told him to seek second and third opinions, even though Keith had to travel out of state to do so. It was good advice. Both doctors disagreed with the first doctor. 

Keith reflects that “both [doctors] looked at my biopsy report and looked at my age and my family history and said, ‘You don’t have a choice. You have an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Active surveillance is not the answer for you’.”

BE PERSISTENT 

Keith quickly scheduled a prostatectomy, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019/2020, the surgery was postponed multiple times. While waiting for surgery, he looked for ways to improve his treatment outcome. His search led him to a study involving a new PSMA PET scan , which did indeed lead to good news. The scan helped his doctor to confirm that Keith would not require radiation on top of surgery.

GETTING SUPPORT IS KEY TO RECOVERY

Beyond the medical advances that helped with his treatment, Keith points to the support he received as a key to his recovery. A main source of comfort for Keith was being surrounded by friends and family, especially his wife. In thinking about his journey, he emphasizes the importance of resources such as patient support groups for newly diagnosed men. He understands that men can have difficulty being vulnerable. He says being open about one’s concerns and emotions is key for healing from prostate cancer. 

Now 62, Keith continues to stay active. He plays golf, pickleball and even rides a bike 25 to 30 miles a week. He also works full-time as the Director of Facilities for a U.S. Federal Courthouse overseeing maintenance and budgetary needs. He is enjoying life.