By Bill Fike

(This forum is for men over 50 years of age.)

I am hesitant in discussing my own health situation, but after speaking recently to so many friends, about what seems to be an epidemic of prostate cancer in our community, I decided to share my own experience in this forum. My goal is to help men with their decision process, once they have learned that their PSA has newly elevated, and/or had biopsies returned “positive” for prostate cancer.

You see a year ago this month, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I just had a very close friend’s brother succumb to this disease, so naturally I was greatly concerned. My PSA has always been very low, between .96 and 1.17, when it suddenly rose to 2.39 within one year. My general practitioner was very alarmed, and instructed me to inform my urologist.  Dr. Chalian showed less concern, since I was already receiving BCG treatments for a previous bladder condition, which is know to elevate PSA levels.

However, in February of last year, when my PSA further increased to 2.79, Dr. Chalian suggested that I have my prostate biopsied. One sample came back positive.

Seeking a second opinion, Loyola University Hospital confirmed Dr. Chalian’s diagnoses with a new test called a “Fusion Biopsy”, which in fact found two additional suspicious areas of cancer near the edge of the capsule, which my first biopsy missed.

Dr. Flanigan, head of the urology at Loyola, recommended that I immediately have the prostate removed. He suggested that I have the surgery completed in Maywood; however, I chose Dr. Chalian to perform the surgery, since earlier I had learned that he is an expert in the surgical use of the "da Vinci" robotic surgerical system.

Here is the good news: Dr. Chalian removed my prostate on a Tuesday last July, and I was home the next day with this less invasive form of surgery. I have no incontinence, other than a leak or two when I laugh, sneeze or cough. Sexually, I have none of the dreaded after events, since he was able to save the nerves with this new precision robotic surgical procedure.

So men, if you have an unexplained elevation in your PSA, and your urologist’s suggests that you have your prostate biopsied, by all means do so. And if your biopsies come back negative, but your PSA continues to increase after 6 months, make an appointment to have a “fusion biopsy” performed at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, IL. (I was told that John Hopkin’s in Washington, D.C. and Loyola are the only two hospitals in the nation that can perform this new prostate test.)

And if after the "Fusion Biopsy", the doctors recommend the removal of your prostate, make an appointment with Dr. Chalian. Our community is very fortunate to have a surgical urologists of the highest caliber in the person of Dr. Chalian! He is the best!

Bill Fike owned and operated Winnie's of Bloomington, Inc., (Winnie's Menswear) from 1973 until his retirement in May of 2009. Bill also owned Churchill's Formal Wear, LTD. from 1996 until he sold Churchill's to James Carroll in March 2007. Bill and Cheryl just celebrated 40 years of marriage this past June 12, 2011 and they have one son, Joseph, and one daughter, Carmen. Bill was in the second graduating class of Illinois Central College in 1971, and then went on to Clark School of Aviation-Flight, obtaining both VFR and IFR flight certificates. Bill has been able to trace his family heritage back to his great, great, great grandfather's family, A.C. Herron's, (on grandmother's side), who was one of the original settlers of Bloomington.

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