My brachytherapy time line

• I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (low grade and very localised) in early June 2008.
• I had my brachytherapy treatment done by Dr Wayne van Niekerk and his team from Sunninghill Hospital on the 23rd of July 2008.
• I had my first follow up appointment on 7 August 2008. Dr Harden seemed to be satisfied with my progress.
• I had a follow up PSA test on 20 October 2008. The PSA value was 2.47 - significantly down from the the pre-procedure readings.
• I had a follow up appointment with Dr Harden on 27th October 2008. He was happy with my progress.
• I had a follow up PSA test on Monday 19th January 2009. The PSA value was 1.71 -- still further down.
• I had a follow up appointment with Dr Harden on 26th January 2009. Dr Harden was still very happy with the way things are going.
• I had another follow up appointment with Dr Harden on 20 April 2009. The PSA levels were now done to 1.4.
• I had next follow up appointment on 23 July 2009 (the anniversary of having the procedure done). The PSA levels were now down to 1.04. Based on this I moved to six monthly check ups.
• My next follow up appointment was on 28 January 2010. My PSA levels were now down to 0.83.
• My next follow up appointment was on 29 July 2010. My PSA levels were now down to 0.31. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs.
• My next follow up appointment was on 28 July 2011. My PSA levels were now down to 0.11. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs.
• My next follow up appointment was on 23 August 2012. My PSA levels were now down to 0.07. The physical examination was also apparently good (the prostate is small and smooth). Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs.
• It was shortly after this check up that we realised that I was having "dry ejaculations". This is apparently quite common with brachytherapy.
• 23 July 2013 -- The five year anniversary!.
• 26 July 2013 - My PSA is now 0.04. My next follow up appointment was on 8 August 2013. The physical examination was also apparently good (the prostate is small and smooth). I could also empty my bladder very well which is also good. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs. I asked about the dry ejaculations and he said that it was pretty much expected. He did mention that it might get better but did not sound very convinced that that would be extremely likely.
• 27 July 2014 - My PSA is still 0.04. Good news!
• My next follow up appointment was on 21 August 2014. The physical examination was also apparently good again (the prostate is small and smooth). I could also empty my bladder very well with a decent flow which is also good. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs. Six years on and things look good!
• 27 October 2015 - My PSA is still 0.04 (as tested on 23 July 2015 -- the seven year anniversary of the brachytherapy). Good news! The physical examination was also apparently good again (the prostate is small and smooth). Based on the ultra-sound it seems that I can still empty my bladder well which is also good. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs. Seven years on and things look good!
• 21 November 2016 - My PSA is now less than 0.02 (as tested on 1 November 2016). Very good news The physical examination was also apparently good again (the prostate is small and smooth). Based on the ultra-sound it seems that I can still empty my bladder well which is also good. Dr Harden was very happy with the state of affairs. Eight years on and things look good!
• 2017, 2018 and 2019 - very much the same as 2016. Good news! 11 years and counting.
• 2020 -- Covid-19 -- no visit to the urologist .
• 2021 - I have not yet seen Dr Harden again. I have been waiting for Covid tp become less of an issue. I have, however, done PSA tests and my results are < 0.001> I know this is only "part of the picture" but all seems good.