Life (so far) after initial treatments:
Over the past 5+ years, I have felt good and have been able to lead a normal life. I
take good care of myself – I try to eat right, get a lot of exercise, get
plenty of rest, and try my best to just enjoy life. I’ve been blessed in life – an awesome wife, a wonderful family, great friends, and a wide
variety of interests.
I know this may sound weird, but in some ways prostate cancer has improved my
attitude about life. I used to get stressed out by work and other pain in the butt
things that happen in everyone’s life. Now I seem to be a little calmer (my
family may disagree there), and I more clearly see what is truly important in
life.
Knowing that I have cancer goes away from time to time, but it always comes back, tapping me on the shoulder, whispering in my ear. But I think this has made me more focused. I know more than
ever that life is precious. Sunrises are more beautiful. Roses smell sweeter.
I hope that this experience has made me a better person. That will be for others to
decide. But I have plans to accomplish many more things – no more wasting time!
As I mentioned earlier, My PSA rose dramatically during my latest
test. I officially have advanced prostate
cancer. It had metastasized to my lower spine, but it wasn’t a lot of cancer.
I'm in no pain. My surgeon decided to put me on hormones. This is not a cure, but a treatment
that will prevent the spread of prostate cancer for now. My PSA will go down.
When it goes back up (hopefully 15 years from now), the hormones will have
stopped working. I know that there are
various chemo drugs that could be the next step. But I’m hoping that by then
ongoing research will have found something that will make prostate cancer like
diabetes – a chronic condition that you just live with. And if I run out of
traditional options, I will volunteer
for every trial that I qualify for.
As the late, great Jimmy V said: "Don't give up, don't ever give up".
As the late, great Jimmy V said: "Don't give up, don't ever give up".
I have an appointment with an oncologist (scary word) in March. As I learn
more things from him (as well as other sources), I will post here again from time to time. But before that,
we’re going to Myrtle Beach for a month. I’m hoping my prostate cancer will stay hidden in my
suitcase the whole time.
I've just began to follow this blog so I needed to "binge" read all the entries. Mike, your writing style made me feel like we were having a conversation. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. The entires have given me a new perspective on prostrate cancer. You know I'm rooting for you. Niech Bog daje zdrowie. Julcia
ReplyDeleteYou've done everything the right way in my book. Once the diagnosis was made, you didn't take long to make your decision to have surgery and follow-up radiation. And I know you were the perfect patient all along. Stay positive about the hormone treatment.
ReplyDeleteMy experience has been a little different as you know. They found cancer cells after your first biopsy and your PSA was only a little above 4 if I remember. I went through three biopsies (PSA at 7, then 11 and then 17) before cancer was confirmed.
My reasoning to have a prostatectomy: full-scale radiation (old technique - Dave's father had this done) destroys tissue and makes later surgery impossible. Radioactive seeds have had cases where seeds have moved; I didn't like the overall approach.
I had surgery in June, 2001. The cancer was apparently encapsulated within the gland so I didn't need radiation. My annual PSA has been "undetectable" - 0.0 since then.
I realize I'm very fortunate.
The "moral" of the story? 1) Everyone is different on many levels - biologically and emotionlly 2) Cancer cells by their nature are unpredictable. There is currently no cancer cell marker that I'm aware of that gives the patient a guaranteed picture of what is going to happen over time.
Do the research and TALK to your urologist.
I have some other comments about the US Preventative Services Task Force recommendations on PSA testing. Later....