between a rock and a hard place- input invited

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

Hi Dave,
Thanks for sharing.
Here, we are still waiting for the CT (next Tuesday), and my first visit with the oncologist- 2 weeks after that.
If we can get through all the waiting, and then the decision making, - the rest should be easier...
May all continue to go well for you!

Menachem

acedave3 · Regular Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 21

Hi,
In reading back over my previous responses I indicated taking pills for radiation treatments.. This is incorrect since it should have read the the pills were used for hormone replacement. Sorry , I Embarassed

hope this didnt confuse you. Best Regards Dave

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

To all who shared experience and advice-

Thank you!

I am feeling better now that decisions are behind us. CT scan showed possible lymph node involvement.

After a long discussion with an oncologist we concluded that there aren't too many options. Have started hormone blocking for 2 years (Casodex for 1 month to avoid flare, and Zoladex shots every 3 months). External radiation for the whole pelvic region scheduled to start in about 2 months, and continue 2 months. And after all that- just need to check to see who is still standing: the man or the malady...

Good health to all!

Replicant · Moderator Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 173

Good luck with the radiation and androgen deprivation. I wish you the best.

BTW, I'm betting on the man, not the malady.

brainman

badtrip, I have not replied to you that much because others (especially Replicant) are doing such a good job and I have no personal experience with prostate cancer. I just want to wish you good luck with your treatments. Happy New Year. I hope you have a great 2008.
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Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
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acedave3 · Regular Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 21

Hi Menachem, Was wondering how your treatments were progressing. I hope things are starting to fall into place for you. I had my first radiation treatment last Friday and my PSA has dropped to 1.5 from 12 so that is a bit encouraging. Take care, Dave

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

Hi Dave,

I think we will make you the advance scout for our outfit- looks like you are running a month or so ahead of me Smile

Good to hear that you are decimating the PSA- may you hit the bottom and stay there!

Here, I am enjoying my last days as a normal, relatively healthy person: 8 days on Casodex, another 6 before that first, big Zoladex shot...
Oncologist wants me to stay on that for 2 years!!! He wants me to wait 2 months before starting external radiation- something about the hormone deprivation weakening the cancer cells before the radiation, so as to knock off as many as possible. Also to perhaps shrink the prostate some before frying all the plumbing apparatus- if I have to get up any more frequently at night- won't hardly be worth going to bed...

In the meantime, have been trying to pay attention to my diet: not only to help beat the disease (which still seems like a theoretical exercise...), but more immediately to minimize side effects. Problem is- we apparently have been eating as we should, more or less. If only I smoked, or drank excessively, or gobbled down tons of fatty meats- then I could make simple changes and hope for radical improvements. Unfortunately- I'm a vegetarian, don't smoke, drink only moderately, and eat fresh vegetables from our garden daily. Have changed over to olive oil for cooking (luckily we grow our own olives here and press out some oil- otherwise I couldn't afford it...), added some fruit, tofu and tuna fish to the weekly diet. I already eat dishes with tomato sauce several times a week, but now have started sprouting broccoli seeds to eat daily- supposedly a strong anti-oxidant.

Also trying to get in a little running each day- even though I work outdoors a lot- worried about losing muscle mass and osteoporosis...

Had the idea to use the 2 months before the radiation begins to get in some hiking trips (who knows if I will have the will or the ability later on...), but its hard to find the time...

In the meantime, I am mainly enjoying the break from doctors, tests and medical decisions that I was stuck in for the last 2 months...

Hope that we will continue to hear good news from you!

Menachem

KennyWa · New User Joined: 04 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

Hello,
I was in a similar predicament: I was given choice of treatments, radiation, hormone and removal. My pretreatment readings were PSA=11.65; Biopsy Gleason sum=8; tumor stage T1C. It was very discocerting to be asked what do you want done. I finally asked the head doctor: if I was your father what would you recommend? To my surpise, he said have it out. I was expecting him to say your body your choice. I found out number of things I was not aware before.
1. tumor less than 5 mm does not show up on MRI but can be observed when the area is opened up.
2. If the cancer is found to be encapsulated within the prostate gland the prognosis is good.

After the prostatectomy, my Gleason score was found to be 7 and no outside invasion.

My work colleague also had prostatectomy done and during the procedure the cancer was found outside the gland. But as the spread was mapped he had radiation treatment afterwards. According to him, it was 10 yrs ago and he doing fine.

Good luck and my best wishes to you.

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

Hello Kenny,

"Dare to struggle- dare to win..." Glad to hear you got good advice and it worked out well!

Ten years plus sounds pretty good, especially when no one has a guarantee that he will wake up tomorrow morning...
If we make it to 5 years, 10 years, and other landmarks- I'm sure we will have stories to tell as well...

Thanks for sharing!

Menachem

acedave3 · Regular Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 21

Hi Menachem,
Thanks for the update on your treatment. It would appear to me that attitude has changed for the better and I enjoyed your sense of humour. I believe that a positive attitude ,in the most trying of circustances ,can go a long way in the healing process. I also believe in the power of prayer and I will be praying for you. Lets keep each other posted as our treatment progresses. Regards DAVE

acedave3 · Regular Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 21

Hi Menachem!
Was wondering how you were doing and hoping, that the treatments are working well for you.
I am now finished with my external radiation with minimal side effects,(thank god). Now I have to wait 4 months for my next PSA. So far so good!! Question

Take care and God Bless!
Your friend, Dave

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

Hi Dave,

Good to hear from you.
Here, we are not advancing very well...
Approaching 2 months on Zoladex with assorted side-effects- in the meantime holding up ok, but what will be left of me after 2 years of this??

Current problem is planning the ext radiation- oncologist wants to do the whole pelvic are, while the radiologist wants to do only the prostate itself. Both brings reams of statistical studies to support their case, and shoot down those of the other side. Seeing as how this is a one-shot deal, having the decision fall back in my lap is not making me very happy.

In the meantime, I asked them to meet together and try to come to a mutual conclusion- simulation is scheduled for another week and a half...

On the much brighter side- my son was just engaged to be married!

May we all be able to share much good news!

Menachem

acedave3 · Regular Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 21

Hi Menachem:

I find it unfortunate, that you are put into the position to make the final decision in your treatment scenario. At the hospital I am dealing with the oncologist presents a treatment procedure after consulting with the other health care professionals and since they have your best interest at heart, you learn to trust the decisions they make for you.

To have the added stress of making this decision yourself does not seem very professional. You have made the right call to tell them to get together themselves, before presenting you with their suggested treatment.

In my case - I asked the Radiology Technician how much of the surrounding area was affected by the treatment. He indicated that only about 20% applied to the surrounding tissues. As my cancer appears to be contained within the prostate - this scenario was recommended to me - and there would be a different approach to treatment, if this was otherwise. If the cancer had spread to the surrounding areas - it would seem logical that you would take the pelvic treatment, but I am by far no expert on this.

I was very pleased to hear of your sons impending marriage, which is definitely a "bright spot" I am sure.

Nice hearing from you - and please keep me posted on future developments.

All the best
Dave

badtrip · Regular Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 33

Greetings, Friends:

Just an update- I finally decided on the wider radiation option, and have just completed the first week (5 down, 35 to go...).
The daily morning radiation treatments are brief and painless, but every time I find myself a little dizzy, and this lasts until the evening. The next day I wake up clear headed, but the dizziness returns each time at the end of the treatment.
The doctors say they haven't heard of such a side effect- have any of you?

Health!

Menachem

Replicant · Moderator Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 173

I'd be very, very surprised if dizziness came from the radiation.

My guess, after going through radiation myself, is that the dizziness comes from lying on your back and keeping perfectly still, then sitting straight up when done. Maybe some experimentation with how you sit up and get down from the table will fix the dizziness.

I don't recall any dizziness myself.

Good luck!
_________________
Replicant

Dx Feb 2006, PSA 9 @age 43
RRP Apr 2006 - Gleason 3+4, T3a, N0M0, pos margins
PSA 5/06 <0.1, 8/06 0.2, 12/06 0.6, 1/07 0.7.
Salvage radiation (IMRT) total dose 70.2 Gy, Jan-Mar 2007@ age 44
PSA 6/07 0.1, 9/07 <0.1, 12/07 <0.1, 4/08 <0.1
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