Courage, Humor, and a Life Saving Decision Helped Timothy Beat Prostate Cancer

Like so many, cancer has played too significant a role in Timothy Bellavia鈥檚 life. He had melanoma at 26 and then went on to support his cousin, uncle, and father during their battles with prostate cancer鈥攁nd later grieve their passing.聽

Timothy鈥檚 story is a powerful example of how patients can take charge of their health. He not only sought out crucial information early, but also choose the best treatment option for his body and future.

鈥淚 know,鈥 he asserted, 鈥渢hat I made the right choices for my life.鈥

Prostate cancer diagnosis at a young age

Timothy is a in Manhattan, as well as the author of many award-winning children鈥檚 books. He specializes in art and music education that promotes inclusivity and celebrates diversity, and recently received the prestigious Innovative Educator Research Grant from the US Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

He was enjoying his career, as well as the vibrant life he and his husband built for themselves. Despite his overall good health and young age, he decided to get his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels checked.

鈥淚 have a family history of prostate cancer. I watched the disease take my father鈥檚 life, and I can鈥檛 help but wonder if my father鈥檚 prostate cancer could have been diagnosed earlier in his lifetime. I knew that I wanted to be vigilant. You often hear that prostate cancer is highly curable or that there鈥檚 no need to worry about your PSA levels until you鈥檙e in your sixties or early seventies. But I wanted to know,鈥 explained Timothy.聽

Timothy asked to be tested鈥攁nd his PSA levels returned very high for his age (5.8). His urologist at the time recommended taking an antibiotic, but the level did not go down enough to eliminate the concern. He wanted a more thorough evaluation of his high PSA level by a leading prostate physician. 鈥淕iven my family history,鈥 he recalled, 鈥淚 opted to get a biopsy.鈥澛

The biopsy confirmed that Timothy had prostate cancer. Of the nine small needle-punch biopsies, two tested positive for cancer.

Evaluating his options

After watching so many of his loved ones battle prostate cancer, the process of learning and choosing the best treatment option was, understandably, fraught with difficult emotions. 鈥淚 knew that I didn鈥檛 want to go through what my father went through,鈥 he recalled. 鈥淢y urologist at the time recommended monitoring the cancer closely and start radiation therapy. I was sure that I didn鈥檛 want to do that either. My father suffered so much with chemo, radiation, and various experimental hormonal therapies and eventually stopped working that led to his passing away from it.鈥澛

鈥淚 have the genetic coding for prostate cancer to compromise or take my life,鈥 he explained. 鈥淚 wanted to treat it as quickly as possible.鈥

Meeting Dr. Hu at 日本av色情片

After receiving a recommendation, Timothy saw Dr. Jim Hu, a urologic oncologist and the director of the LeFrak Center for Robotic Surgery at 日本av色情片. Dr. Hu recommended that Timothy receive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which confirmed the biopsy鈥檚 finding: cancerous cell growth in two areas.聽聽

鈥淎s a college professor, I do thorough research for a living and think logically,鈥 Timothy detailed. 鈥淚 also have so much knowledge about prostate cancer because of my family history. As soon as I met Dr. Hu, I felt that he was the right doctor, the one that I needed. He was so gracious, but also didn鈥檛 sugar coat anything for me. I appreciated this so much.鈥澛

After weighing his options, Timothy elected for Dr. Hu to perform a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, complete surgical removal of the prostate. During this minimally invasive prostate surgery, the prostate is removed through small incisions in the lower abdomen. A computer-assisted mechanical device (robot) makes the procedure more precise and less invasive than traditional surgery.聽

During this time, Timothy was matched with a 鈥減rostate cancer mentor.鈥 Timothy and his mentor spoke frequently, before and after his surgery, often via text. 鈥淗e was very gracious in telling me what to expect and giving me support. Beside my husband, he was my rock throughout the entire process, and I am very grateful for him,鈥 Timothy said.

Timothy鈥檚 experience with surgery

On August 24, 2018, Timothy underwent surgery for his prostate cancer. 鈥淚 made a conscious effort to learn as much as I could about the procedure鈥攂ut also not to see a picture of the device. I made myself not google it,鈥 joked Timothy. 鈥淭his helped me from getting too nervous. It was my first real surgery, after all.鈥澛

Timothy asked Dr. Hu and his team lots of questions about what to expect and how to best care for himself before and after the procedure. 鈥淚 employed positive thinking as much as I could. My mantra was, 鈥業鈥檓 grateful to God for my healing.鈥 Dr. Hu, Nurse Green, and everyone else were just fantastic鈥攖hey were so present and friendly.鈥

鈥淚 remember waking up after the surgery and seeing my husband,鈥 he recalled. 鈥淚 cried because I was so happy to see him again.鈥

Timothy can鈥檛 help but compare his two experiences with cancer treatment. 鈥淲hen I had melanoma at 26, the treatment was not as personal,鈥 he explained. 鈥淢y experience at 日本av色情片 was totally different. I compare it to studying at a small, private college, as opposed to a large university setting. The doctors were more approachable and friendly. I feel like I can email or call Dr. Hu without a thought. Everyone is very friendly, and I felt more at ease and at home with something very scary and life-changing. When I see the ads on the buses for 日本av色情片, I can鈥檛 help but thank God.鈥

Recovering from surgery and moving forward

Timothy admits that he was surprised how bruised his skin appeared immediately after the surgery. 鈥淒uring the first couple of days, I felt like I got hit by a car. Granted, not a truck with 18 wheels. But maybe a Honda Civic.鈥

He was instructed to rest, to complete specific physical therapy exercises and take it easy as much as possible. For a gym enthusiast, this was challenging. 鈥淭o help myself recover, I set a goal: I wanted to go to a gala in LA. This helped me from overextending myself,鈥 he explained. 鈥淕oing outside to feel the sun and doing my physical therapy exercises every day helped aid my healing.鈥澛

Today, about a year after his surgery, Timothy feels great. 鈥淚 enjoy going to the gym and have a very active life,鈥 he said thankfully, 鈥淭here鈥檚 no embarrassment or shame about my post-surgery body. The scars are minimal. I still have my libido and have satisfying initmate relations with my husband. When you have a prostatectomy you no longer produce semen, but intimately speaking I still feel one hundred percent. Overall, the surgery has extended and, in some ways, enhanced my life.鈥

Timothy continues to follow up with Dr. Hu every six months to monitor his health and wellbeing.

Timothy鈥檚 advice to other prostate cancer patients

Timothy hopes that his story will help others understand that prostate cancer can affect men of all ages鈥攅ven, like himself, those significantly younger than 60. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for anyone with a family history of cancer to be sure that their provider is aware of this,鈥 he asserted. 鈥淚 also suggest that everyone ask questions and get a lot of information.鈥澛

For those who have elevated PSA levels, Timothy suggests getting an MRI to expedite the diagnosis. 鈥淩emember,鈥 he explained, 鈥渢hat nothing in your lifestyle causes prostate cancer. During your treatment, it鈥檚 also important to recognize that no one knows your body as well as you do and find a world-renowned prostate expert that you truly trust. I really trusted Dr. Hu. His work speaks for itself.鈥

Without a doubt, Timothy is grateful that he trusted his instincts. 鈥淚 wanted to own my cancer and get the best possible treatment,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 know I did with Dr. Hu.鈥澛

Dr. Jim Hu sitting on a desk with his hands crossed.

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