The Cancer File

It is with great interest that I read your story. congratulations and many years ahead for you and your family. I was diagnosed with both skin and prostate cancer on the same day this past may and had both surgeries in June. Like you, I am now a cancer survivor yet the surgery was tough, but now I call it the Gift of Cancer as it puts EVERYTHING in perspective. Thank you for writing the chapters, yet although mine went the surgical way, its very instuctive to hear and read the way to your cure. Congratulations. Christy Mihos

Thanks for blogging your story for all of us to see. Your positive attitude, courage and joy emerge from your words. So many of us need encouragement like yours to talk about prostate cancer. Jim

I was glad to learn that radiation worked, but even if it had not, the encounters with the Maker of Miracles and lawyer (what a contrast! LOL) would probably not have been so imminent. Modern, advanced hormonal blockade and intermittent hormonal blockade are giving most of us many years of excellent control of the cancer before they no longer work. I've commented on two studies about that after blog #4. And, if blockade can no longer do the whole job, survival is far superior (longer) for most than generally thought only a few years ago. A study by MG Oefelein, PK Agarwal, and M Resnick, J. Urol 2004 April, is one study that documents this well, and their results were for men who were not treated with what is now available;from the time blockade no longer fully worked, if bone scans then were negative, men survived 68 more months, or, if not, 40 months; the abstract can be reviewed at www.pubmed.gov. There are some promising new chemotherapy combinations and drugs like Lukein that should improve things further. We have reasonable hope that a cure is not too many years off. Jim

I was glad to learn that radiation worked, but even if it had not, the encounters with the Maker of Miracles and lawyer (what a contrast! LOL) would probably not have been so imminent. Modern, advanced hormonal blockade and intermittent hormonal blockade are giving most of us many years of excellent control of the cancer before they no longer work. I've commented on two studies about that after blog #4. And, if blockade can no longer do the whole job, survival is far superior (longer) for most than generally thought only a few years ago. A study by MG Oefelein, PK Agarwal, and M Resnick, J. Urol 2004 April, is one study that documents this well, and their results were for men who were not treated with what is now available; the abstract can be reviewed at www.pubmed.gov. There are some promising new chemotherapy combinations and drugs like Lukein that should improve things further. We have reasonable hope that a cure is not too many years off. Jim

I have read all 14 blogs and found them very interesting. They will help others get through their decision making.

I was especially interested in the statement that the doctor ruled out hormonal blockade as primary therapy. That would have been in the first half of 2003 timeframe. I had to make decisions for my own challenging case in 2000, and with a PSA over 100, Gleason of 7 and all cores positive, hormonal blockade was offered as primary therapy. The differences in the two cases make the differences in choices reasonable: I was hoping for control instead of cure, and the chances of a cure with radiation were low but with a high chance of side effects in my circumstances.

However, there have been two recent respectable reports of using hormonal blockade even in low risk cases, with impressive success. The first, in February 2005, was at a meeting devoted to prostate cancer of the American Society for Clinical Oncology in Orlando (see www.doctorleibowitz.com). The second was in the May issue of The Journal of Urology, a major peer-reviewed journal. Times are changing!

I'll have what he's having!

Congratulations!

Had prostate removed in 2000. Everything OK till 2005, PSA started going up. Got 33 sessions of radiation. OK again for 6 months, PSA going up again. Not high 0.6 from 0.2. Started LUPRON shot. PSA went down to 0.2. After 5 months PSA up again to 0.4. Started taking 50 mg CASODEX to supplement LUORON shot. Today 8 Aug 2006, 2 months after taking CASODEX, PSA down to 0.2. Satisfied that plan my uroligist has me on is working. Getting PSA check and LUPRON shot every 3 months.

I'm kind of scared- even though you seem to be doing OK- as you get closer and closer to 14.

God bless....

I like how you're handling this.... you take a morbid situation and turn it into something others can learn by. That's a strong will. I'd bet you beat it.

I went through a liver transplant. You get to really love the staff who are trying their damndest to save your life.

A great resource is the book, "The Best News About Radiation Therapy" (M. Evans, 2004)by Dr. Kornmehl.

I find this series very interesting, probably mostly because I project myself into the process and try to see if my reactions would be the same as that of the patient. So far, I think I would react as he does, although I might not be able to write about it as objectively. Key to my thinking is the idea of "taking lumps." Of course we must, there is no choice, but the damage they can do depends on our own personal reactions to them. Keep calling your wife your bride. That is a youthful and healthy word.

Any bowel problem is a serious problem.

Why did the hillbilly wear a tux to his vasectomy? "If I'm gonna be impotent, I may as well look impo'tant."

Professionalism is nice.... but when I wake up in the hospital, I still feel better if the nurse is wearing scrubs with little ducks on them (or something like that).

I hope you whip this cancer's ass, but if you do have to leave us early... I'm reminded of a story that I think Lewis Grizzard wrote.

He had interviewed the oldest manin Georgia, a 109 year old man who preached hard work, clean living, and faith in Jesus. He had never drank, smoked, drugged, eaten meat... totally clean life. He only had sex for purposes of procreation.

"You're almost 110 years old," asked Grizzard. "Have you accomplished everything you wanted to in life?"

"Well, I'll tell you.... when I know my time is coming, I intend to get 5 pounds of roast beef, 3 bottles of tequila, some cocaine, an 18 year old girl, and a guitar. I'll then go down to the river, eat the food, drink the booze, smoke the cocaine, and have sex with the girl."

"What's the guitar for?"

"If I'm still alive after the sex,drugs, booze and red meat... I plan to sing the girl a love song."

Get healthy fast, R. Kelly!

Good luck, my best wishes will be with you.

Very interesting blog. Is hope in your life? It should be.