Brett Troia, 41 Date of Surgery, 04/06/2009
VIP Friends Online
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Read Other Survivors' Personal Stories CLICK HERE |
Let me start by saying that the treatment and care my family and I received from the Florida
Hospital and Dr. Vip Patel's staff was top notch. They are the experts at taking something
devastating like "prostate cancer" and focusing on the desired prognosis rather than the current
diagnosis. I have never met such a humble, kind, gentle and sincere person as Dr. Vip Patel.
On Dec 3, 2008 my cell phone rang, it was my local urologist, Dr. Michael Jenkins. Are you serious?
Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer at 41, the big "C." At that instant all of a sudden the unimaginable
become reality, how could someone as physically fit and health conscious as me have an "old
man's disease?"
Second opinion? Confirmed! So I was now faced with how to deal with my cancer, as a death
sentence or as a gift. Being that I am a man of faith, God loving and believing in His providence the
journey began. I set off to compete in the biggest endurance event of my entire life, embraced my
diagnosis and became my own advocate. Hebrews 12:1 states, "Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
So the race began before I knew it.....
On September 21, 2008, I raced for the cure with AFAC TRI at Walt Disney World, FL. While I joined
in the fight raising over $1,700.00 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, little did I know, that I, too,
had a cancer growing within me. A cancer that does not discriminate based on age, race, health or
religion.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on December 3, 2008, at 41 years old.
Due to family history, I had been proactive in my health and started screening early at age 39. This
consisted of determination of baseline PSA (1.6 which for under 40 was already suspect),
colonoscopy, and annual physicals. In late November, lab reports indicated a PSA of 2.0 (up from
1.2 six months prior). My urologist, and personal friend, explained that a biopsy was necessary due
to the increase in PSA. On December 1st twelve core samples were taken. Two days later the
pathology report indicated one of the twelve positive for cancer and two were atypical.
A second opinion from John Hopkins confirmed prostate cancer, stage 1, Gleason score of 6. Next,
we followed up with a bone scan, a pelvic and abdominal CT which both showed that the cancer
was contained within the prostate. Our research began into what type of treatment would be best
based on my age, health, and diagnosis.
After a consultation New Year's Eve with Surgeon Vipul Patel of the Global Robotics Institute at
Celebration Hospital, FL, my wife and I decided that a robotic prostatectomy would be our course
of treatment. Surgery was then scheduled for April 6, 2009.
I spent the next four months training spiritually and physically for my biggest race ever, the race
against cancer. I made a commitment to go into surgery as physically prepared as possible by
being in the best shape I have ever been. A cloud of prayer warriors, friends, family and those who
had been before me surrounded me. The race clock had started.
So I was off to prepare for the big day - April 6.
When "race day" finally arrived I was indeed in the best physical shape I had ever been.
Since the surgery was the live case for the World Robotic Urological Symposium hosted by Dr.
Vipul Patel, my local urologist/friend was also in attendance. The procedure took just over an hour
and, as I am told, was executed with total perfection. By the afternoon of surgery day, I was up and
walking around - a bit wobbly at first, but nonetheless, I was on my feet. A mere 23 hours after
arrival in my hospital room, I was discharged.
It would then be an additional 4 days before I could leave the Orlando area. The results of the
biopsy showed that the prostate was 15% involved by tumor, the stage was pT2c, Gleason Grade
3+3 (score 6) and the margins clear. The prostatectomy was the correct choice of treatment.
Today, 7 months from diagnosis, 13 weeks after surgery, I am cancer-free and have been cleared
from light duty. I received my first post-op PSA results, 0.00, confirming cancer free. I have
returned to physical training. The recovery has been challenging, both spiritually and physically,
without the strength of God, the wisdom of His son and the guidance of the Holy Spirit we would
have struggled through this trial. We were able to embrace the cancer, learn from it and
prayerfully use it as "megaphone" to help those too come.
This year I will be "racing for the cure" with Athletes for a Cure in the Florida IRONMAN Triathlon on
11/07/2009 and celebrating my 42nd birthday (Nov 8.) In addition, I am committed to supporting the
Prostate Cancer Foundation by setting a fundraising goal of $10,000 for prostate cancer research.
In closing, the bottom line is that when the trials come find strength in the Lord, take advocacy into
your own hands, find a physician and a urologist that will take a general interest in your health, test
early. Ask the questions; find the correct treatment and build relationships that will help you get
through. I cannot tell you how important my newfound friendships with Dr. Vipul Patel (and Staff)
and Athletes for a Cure make the difference; these are people who genuinely care. And lastly
"NEVER GIVE IN."
If you're interested in my journey you can follow me on my blog, face book and twitter.
www.bretttroia.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com (Log in - Search Brett Troia)
http://twitter.com/bretttroia
Please follow the link below to donate to my cause, visit my personal web page and help me in my
efforts to raise funds and awareness to change the face of prostate cancer.
http://athletes.kintera.org/2009triathlon/bretttroia?faf=1&e=2422136044
Hospital and Dr. Vip Patel's staff was top notch. They are the experts at taking something
devastating like "prostate cancer" and focusing on the desired prognosis rather than the current
diagnosis. I have never met such a humble, kind, gentle and sincere person as Dr. Vip Patel.
On Dec 3, 2008 my cell phone rang, it was my local urologist, Dr. Michael Jenkins. Are you serious?
Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer at 41, the big "C." At that instant all of a sudden the unimaginable
become reality, how could someone as physically fit and health conscious as me have an "old
man's disease?"
Second opinion? Confirmed! So I was now faced with how to deal with my cancer, as a death
sentence or as a gift. Being that I am a man of faith, God loving and believing in His providence the
journey began. I set off to compete in the biggest endurance event of my entire life, embraced my
diagnosis and became my own advocate. Hebrews 12:1 states, "Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
So the race began before I knew it.....
On September 21, 2008, I raced for the cure with AFAC TRI at Walt Disney World, FL. While I joined
in the fight raising over $1,700.00 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, little did I know, that I, too,
had a cancer growing within me. A cancer that does not discriminate based on age, race, health or
religion.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on December 3, 2008, at 41 years old.
Due to family history, I had been proactive in my health and started screening early at age 39. This
consisted of determination of baseline PSA (1.6 which for under 40 was already suspect),
colonoscopy, and annual physicals. In late November, lab reports indicated a PSA of 2.0 (up from
1.2 six months prior). My urologist, and personal friend, explained that a biopsy was necessary due
to the increase in PSA. On December 1st twelve core samples were taken. Two days later the
pathology report indicated one of the twelve positive for cancer and two were atypical.
A second opinion from John Hopkins confirmed prostate cancer, stage 1, Gleason score of 6. Next,
we followed up with a bone scan, a pelvic and abdominal CT which both showed that the cancer
was contained within the prostate. Our research began into what type of treatment would be best
based on my age, health, and diagnosis.
After a consultation New Year's Eve with Surgeon Vipul Patel of the Global Robotics Institute at
Celebration Hospital, FL, my wife and I decided that a robotic prostatectomy would be our course
of treatment. Surgery was then scheduled for April 6, 2009.
I spent the next four months training spiritually and physically for my biggest race ever, the race
against cancer. I made a commitment to go into surgery as physically prepared as possible by
being in the best shape I have ever been. A cloud of prayer warriors, friends, family and those who
had been before me surrounded me. The race clock had started.
So I was off to prepare for the big day - April 6.
When "race day" finally arrived I was indeed in the best physical shape I had ever been.
Since the surgery was the live case for the World Robotic Urological Symposium hosted by Dr.
Vipul Patel, my local urologist/friend was also in attendance. The procedure took just over an hour
and, as I am told, was executed with total perfection. By the afternoon of surgery day, I was up and
walking around - a bit wobbly at first, but nonetheless, I was on my feet. A mere 23 hours after
arrival in my hospital room, I was discharged.
It would then be an additional 4 days before I could leave the Orlando area. The results of the
biopsy showed that the prostate was 15% involved by tumor, the stage was pT2c, Gleason Grade
3+3 (score 6) and the margins clear. The prostatectomy was the correct choice of treatment.
Today, 7 months from diagnosis, 13 weeks after surgery, I am cancer-free and have been cleared
from light duty. I received my first post-op PSA results, 0.00, confirming cancer free. I have
returned to physical training. The recovery has been challenging, both spiritually and physically,
without the strength of God, the wisdom of His son and the guidance of the Holy Spirit we would
have struggled through this trial. We were able to embrace the cancer, learn from it and
prayerfully use it as "megaphone" to help those too come.
This year I will be "racing for the cure" with Athletes for a Cure in the Florida IRONMAN Triathlon on
11/07/2009 and celebrating my 42nd birthday (Nov 8.) In addition, I am committed to supporting the
Prostate Cancer Foundation by setting a fundraising goal of $10,000 for prostate cancer research.
In closing, the bottom line is that when the trials come find strength in the Lord, take advocacy into
your own hands, find a physician and a urologist that will take a general interest in your health, test
early. Ask the questions; find the correct treatment and build relationships that will help you get
through. I cannot tell you how important my newfound friendships with Dr. Vipul Patel (and Staff)
and Athletes for a Cure make the difference; these are people who genuinely care. And lastly
"NEVER GIVE IN."
If you're interested in my journey you can follow me on my blog, face book and twitter.
www.bretttroia.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com (Log in - Search Brett Troia)
http://twitter.com/bretttroia
Please follow the link below to donate to my cause, visit my personal web page and help me in my
efforts to raise funds and awareness to change the face of prostate cancer.
http://athletes.kintera.org/2009triathlon/bretttroia?faf=1&e=2422136044
 |
 |