Hello there,
I am 68 years old. Given the fact that I’ve been on successful “TRT” Testosterone Replacement Therapy for the last 11years before my recent Prostate Cancer diagnosis and was treating my Hypogonadism, I understand and feel the measurable downward effects and differences in my life and overall wellbeing when I’ve had to stop my “TRT” for various circumstances. My Total Testosterone levels were well below the lowest level considered to be within the normal range! It provides a much better, overall quality of life for me. I have been disabled for the past 32 years from very serious cases of CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, FIBROMYALGIA and CHIARI MALFORMATION. I was mostly bedridden and home confined for over 25 plus years. I still manage all the debilitating symptoms associated with those diseases. Even though there are No Cures for them, every patient manages their symptoms the best they can with whatever therapy protocols they wish to try and utilize in the hopes of recovering or improving.
The “TRT” is the only treatment that makes a measurable difference for me in reducing all of those symptoms plus treating my Hypogonadism. I still have the symptoms but enjoy a much better quality of life because The “TRT” gets me above the minimum normal range and into the middle and above ranges of normal. I had to discontinue my “TRT” when I was diagnosed with PC. When you get PC, the TRT” feeds your cancer so it obviously requires discontinuing it until you successfully treat your cancer through surgery or radiation. I chose the surgical, “RALP” protocol and had a very successful outcome in terms of getting rid of 100% of any detectable cancer and my PSA immediately following the surgery was <0.014. My Prostatectomy provided me the opportunity to immediately get all of the cancer out of my body. Thankfully, it was all located within my Prostate. I am about as close to ZERO as you can get with my PSA. I am also considered a “low risk” patient which is also quite favorable. I am ready to return to my “TRT” and the life it helps support me in. At my age and everything I’ve been through, my “quality of life” is more important than my “quantity of life.” Although “TRT” remains somewhat controversial, the latest and most current research and data more than supports the benefits of returning to “TRT” in addition to assisting PC Patients with their recovery and rehabilitation. There is NO PROOF that I will increase my chances of recurring cancer any more than patients on “ADT” Androgen Depravation Therapy in addition to radiation with anybody else’s post recovery chances. There is a 30%-40% chance that Prostate Cancer will return to any successfully treated patient within the first ir up to first 5 years after recovery. I choose to mentally and emotionally think that I will be in the 60%-70% of patients where the cancer won’t return. I prefer the odds better. Given that NO patient can completely control their future outcomes, the best they can do is monitor and treat whatever comes or does not come there way in the future. Remember, NOBODY is ever fully cured of cancer. You are either in Remission at any given time or you are not! Or as I refer to the matter, “one can be free of cancer but you are never free from cancer!” It’s a lifetime of monitoring, following up, (surveillance) and treating whatever requires your attention. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ABOUT ANYTHING. Lastly, the patient should ultimately have the power to choose whatever they feel is the best way(s) to move forward in their life. Everybody patient is an individual with different choices, risk attitudes and feelings about what is best for them. As much as possible, “I take full full responsibility for my life!” We can’t and don’t control everything. “However, we have 100% control in and how we manage our life with diseases and other challenges!” We consult with our trusted physicians and do the best we can. Frankly, if any physician gives tells you that their treatment protocol will 100% successfully treat your cancer for the rest of your life, you should consider walking away and finding somebody else! Whatever cancer management team I choose to use must support me and my desires. That does not mean that I don’t take or follow their advice. It does mean that I am in agreement, trust and support it! I will return to my “TRT” with or without my current physician who’s been treating it. I am ultimately responsible for whatever happens, favorable or not. However, you take those chances with anybody that treats you regardless of the treatment options they recommended.
Best wishes to all of the “Prostate Cancer Warriors” out there and I hope and pray that we will all have and keep the successful outcomes we want in our lives. Love to all of you.