Jack McCallum of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania enjoyed an active lifestyle, but one year his prostate specific antigen (PSA) score shot up from zero to 4.9.  That’s when his doctor ordered a digital rectal exam, than a biopsy, which revealed he had prostate cancer.  Initially, Jack opted for active surveillance, which doctors would continue to monitor the state of his prostate.  Then one day he abruptly changed his mind and decided to have his prostate removed with robotic surgery.  Post-surgery, Jack believes his urinary and sexual function are as good as they possibly can be.

 

For years, Jack McCallum thought if he was going to have health-related issues in his sixties and seventies, they would be orthopedic in nature because he freely admitted before exercising, he rarely took time to stretch.  However, he was surprised when blood work that was part of a routine annual physical showed his PSA had gone from zero to 4.9. 

 

He was referred to a prostate cancer doctor, who performed a digital rectal exam, then called for a biopsy.  It revealed Jack had prostate cancer.  At first, he wanted his doctor to

monitor the health of his prostate through active surveillance.  Then he changed his mind, and concluded that with active surveillance, there would be a lengthy procession of digital rectal exams and biopsies.  Not wanting that, he then chose, at age 62, to get his prostate removed with a robotic prostatectomy.

 

The surgery was a success, but Jack woke up from it with a catheter inside him.  It was painful, but Jack to wear it for eight more days.  He did experience a bit of leakage, which require buying pads, but was very happy to note that within a few days, he no longer them.  He was prescribed medication to aid with sexual function, but suspects he might have needed such medication, prostate or no prostate cancer.

 

By way of advice, Jack says if one is diagnosed, they should be informed of all available options, and if one chooses robotic surgery, to make sure one selects a urologist experienced in robotic surgery because not all urologists are.

 

Additional Resources:

 

Jack’s book: The Prostate Monologues

 

Jack’s email: [email protected]

 

Support Group: Fans for the Cure  https://www.fansforthecure.org