Doing research while being anxious

Dan, fear is the real enemy. I have walked the prostate cancer journey with my husband for 12 years. During this time, I've often wondered why there is a significant recurrence rate after the conventional treatment modalities, i.e., surgery and radiation. We can cut cancer out, or kill it with radiation, but cancer cells are an ever-present reality in our bodies. We need to make our bodies inhospitable to cancer, and enhance our God-given immune systems to eradicate it at the cellular level. This requires a systemic approach, after all our bodies are an ecosystem. We are mind, body, and soul... all three need to be addressed. My challenge with any "specialist", otherwise known as an "LP", or "Limited Practitioner", is very often they have a myopic viewpoint, looking only at a particular organ or part of the body, failing to connect the dots of what's happening in the ecosystem. We need to fix the root cause, not merely suppress a symptom. When they suppress the symptom, the cause of the symptom continues in the background, likely unnoticed at this point because there is no symptom. The original condition continues to disrupt/cause damage to our ecosystem, but since we have no "symptoms" at this point, we are clueless to the damage taking place. I'm getting off track a little, and I'll comment further later, but one last thing. Not related to prostate cancer, but to my husband's Cardiologist. My spidey senses were on high alert with this individual for multiple reasons, but when I saw him regularly place his cell phone in the pocket of his scrubs directly over his heart, I knew he was not the right doctor for my husband. If that doesn't make sense to you, there's a little something about electromagnetic frequencies and electrical systems, of which our heart is one. Each of our journeys are different, but you must be comfortable with the individuals who are guiding you. Trust your intuition. Take your time vetting these individuals. And, if you are a person of faith, seek God's face... he will direct your steps. Much love and light to you.

I love the last couple lines of the last post. Use this as an opportunity to expand your faith and seek Him. Also, present moment and one day at a time meditation very beneficial.
https://m.youtube.com/watch

@doyourresearch
While what you say sounds interesting. There is one thing you missed about how prostate cancer propagates throughout the body..

Dorman cells are sent throughout the body before you were even diagnosed with prostate cancer. They can wake up when you are under stress and start the cancer over again.

These dormant cells are known as DTCs – Disseminated Tumor Cells. This is not the same as metastatic cancer cells which are actively growing and spreading. DTCs are like hibernating bears with a greatly reduced level of metabolism, just enough to keep themselves alive but under the radar of our immune system. They undergo a dramatic change in energy utilization by a process called autophagy, which literally means “self-eating.” This makes them immune to standard chemotherapy, which targets rapidly dividing cells.
Here is more information
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8wyq61jnnxl9g9cbmek5g/Dormant-cancer-cell-details.html

@jeffmarc Thank you Jeff. I appreciate your input and will check into it. I've heard the term "autophagy", but am not that familiar with it, nor can I recall where I first heard the term. It still begs the question, what is wrong with our ecosystem that our bodies cannot achieve and maintain homeostasis? Are you familiar with the work of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong? He has some interesting theories about Natural Killer cells (i.e., ALC - Absolute Lymphocyte Count - part of a standard Complete Blood Count blood test) and their role in combatting cancer. In my husband's 12 year prostate cancer journey, not one single care provider has even mentioned the immune system, let alone considered its importance in the dis-ease process. My faith informs that God did not create anything "under the radar of our immune system".

I'll repeat what others have said, because it's worth it. Go to a COE, not a place that does oncology as a sideline profit center for their base urology business. It's your life, you want the best. If you've found that COE, do enough research to arm yourself with questions you can bring to the consultations at every stage of the process. Don't try to find all the answers yourself. That will drive you crazy, and you need a calm, clear, objective mindset for the road ahead. Try to avoid getting preoccupied with your cancer by maximizing the positive things: exercise (you'll need this on ADT), loved ones, hobbies, reading, whatever. You're sort of on a new planet, so explore.

@doyourresearch The ecosystem of immunity, as you refer to it, is of paramount importance.
But you are not factoring in mutations which occur spontaneously and repeatedly as our cells divide.
Many times, even the best primed immune system cannot suppress or mitigate these mutations, which then replicate until they become a real issue: cancer.
And I am just talking about the ho-hum mutations that we all face - not the genetic ones such as BRCA1 &2 and others.
Much luck is involved in getting from birth to death and not have cancer somewhere along the line. Best,
Phil

@heavyphil Exactly Phil, exactly. And on the flip side of the mutation business, radiation therapy damages the DNA of cancer cells (induced mutation) such that when they divide, they die. But following radiation therapy, the race is on between how quickly and efficiently the tumor cells can repair the damage and how quickly they divide. And some tumor cells can have mutations that make them more resistant to radiation damage. Much luck is involved at the cellular level. But also, science has the potential to identify critical mutations, and to develop better and more targeted therapies.

That said, this does not diminish the importance of diet, exercise, good sleep, and reduced stress levels in fighting, and coping, with cancer.

Correct, you nailed it. It is a monumental decision. A decision of which the consequences will most certainly follow you the rest of your life. I was the same age as you when I found out that I had prostate cancer. Mine was pretty severe. I opted to have my prostate removed. I have often questioned whether I made the right decision or not. Three years later, I’m still having problems with incontinence. Not severe but enough and it certainly annoying. The one thing I was the most worried about after beating prostate cancer has hasn’t returned to me either. I’m really close but no cigar yet.Make sure you include your spouse in every decision you make. Remember, you’re not the only one with cancer. Your spouse has cancer too.

@dptrainor, how are you doing today? How are you doing with navigating the steep learning curve and the mental health, anxiety-inducing impact? Have some of the tips the guys shared with you helped?

@colleenyoung Hi Colleen, Yes, I am doing much better. It certainly has been a steep learning curve and an emotional roller coaster. But, working through it. The comments / tips here have helped greatly. I appreciate it. And one gentleman went above and beyond and helped me navigate the medical system and talk through things. I stay in touch with him and he is providing me good support. People are really nice. I had my medical consults yesterday - medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, prostate surgeon. That well very well and now a plan is being formed. IMRT/VMAT beam radiation, 28 fractions starting in about one month. ADT + ASRI for 24 months starting next week. I was not a candidate for surgery as cancer spread to lymph nodes. I have settled down since my first post here as now as a lot of the fear of unknown is gone. But, the side effects I will personally experience in the years to come are unknown so that will naturally spike anxiety gain. But, it is what it is. But, good news the initial shock (I was a mess) of finding out I had cancer has subsided and I think I have reached acceptance and moving forward. What is most amazing is the Love and Prayers from friends and family and others I have received. And the support I get from other prostate cancer patients. Anyway, that is the update. Thank you very much for checking back with me! That really means a lot. Thank You and Bless You, Dan