News » Top Stories

Lee Ranson and Prostate Cancer

By WEEK Producer
July 15, 2010 Updated Jul 16, 2008 at 10:48 AM CDT

News 25 has been keeping you informed about the dangers of prostate cancer...and how it's treated. News 25's Lee Ranson has been undergoing radiation treatment for his cancer...and Tuesday night, Tom McIntyre brings us up to day on Lee's progress.

For nine weeks, Lee Ranson has been going to the oncology/radiation area at Methodist medical Center for treatment of his prostate cancer.
It's become a routine....but this is his last scheduled treatment, and so Methodist CEO Michael Bryant has stopped by to visit...

Lee Ranson said, ""It's amazing –obviously the treatment is state of the art."

Today's treatment will be exactly like the previous 44 —– exactly to make sure the radiation is focused directly on the cancer cells in Lee's prostate.
As it has before, the treatment itself is uneventful.....except today...there's a bonus...a goodbye card from the staff...

Ranson laughed and said, ""Look at that. Best Wishes. Look at that. All the nurses—that is just wonderful isn't it. That is just great, thanks"

But, the real bonus comes from Dr. Robby Lal.
"Hi, congratulations.
"Congratulations is right".
Lee's PSA levels have dropped dramatically since the radiation treatment began. Dr. Lal said, "You've come down to zero–point zero–eight. You might remember originally it was four–point–eight. That is excellent response to treatment."

Ranson said, "I'm just pleased with everybody here. Everybody has been so nice. And, obviously, the end result is the important thing".

Lal said, ""Every day it's going to get better and better. OK, that's it for today. We'll see you in a month."

That one–month checkup will be the first in a series of follow–up appointments for Lee. First to check to make sure any side effects are diminishing....and then every three months...examinations to check for any recurrence of the cancer...

Ranson said, "Made it, made it!"

Dr. Lal said, "And that's the follow up...physical exam and blood testing to make sure we don't have an occurrence. Early detection...early cure. That's the key."

To submit a comment on this article, your email address is required. We respect your privacy and your email will not be visible to others nor will it be added to any email lists.