Defeating Prostate Cancer
Diagnosed @age 76 PSA 20 Gleeson Score 9 all the urologists wanted to take it out.After interviewing 12 men who had the cut done It scared the wits out of me !The first urologist lost his temper with me for not having it cut out!The second showed how he would do plastic insert with a pump in the scrotum.I complemented him on his nice desk and left.The third one said it could be saved.So a TURP that backfired with me in .ICU .9 weeks Radiation Followed with testosterone reducing injections Now PSA is 0.06,Am I in for pain once the Lupron Stops?
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Devastation phase is real. We were there. Now we're out. Learning to live with cancer is the key. The emotional ups and downs, the pain, the lethargy, are all a part of it. At first we assembled a first medical cancer team and wonderful palliative care team. Felt pain, yes, both physical and emotional.
Next we transition into "Living with cancer Phase." Its transformational. Moved our oncology needs to a cancer research hospital like Mayo. They inject hopefulness into our cancer care almost every visit. Next, I rebuilt a palliative team based on my own needs. #1 MSW with experience working with cancer. #2 Wellness coach who designed a wellness plan based on our needs (exercise/movement, nutrition, mindfulness, happiness). #3 Tia Chi, #4 Spiritual needs.
Learning to live with cancer is transformational.
I take Erleada and a hormone injection every 3 months. My PSA has gone from over 2000 to below 1. I feel great some days and not so great other days but I suffer from chronic back pain as well. I have had one radiation treatment but that's all. Good luck.
Hello, as a person who was on “TRT” for 11 years due to my Testosterone levels being far below the lowest number Pat the minimum range of normal it has been and made a huge impact on my well-being. Additionally, I have been dealing with some long term illness related disabilities for 32 years.
I just had a Prostatectomy this past October. My PSA is <0.014, (Technically at ZERO). It’s true that “TRT” helps with my libido but it provides me with many other important benefits that a more normal level of Testosterone provides for any male. Granted, my situation is a bit more unique regarding my needs and desires to return to my “TRT” therapy. I have done a significant amount of research on the subject but I will simply state the currently known facts and more recent research findings on the subject. There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that a lower risk Prostate Patient with a successful Prostatectomy and ZERO PSA is at any more risk for his Prostate Cancer to return than any other post Prostatectomy patient with the above criteria. Like a number of issues in life, past outdated and false information gains a certain amount of “group agreement” and “judgement” that gets purported as being true and accurate when it gets more than proven to be outdated and actually “false” with NO factual research to support its position. Lot’s of agreement on an issue doesn’t automatically make it true, accurate or correct. I encourage you and any other patient who is considering returning to “TRT” following a successful Prostatectomy to do your research and you will come to the same conclusion. Any prior Prostate patient has too and should be carefully be monitoring there PSA and other meaningful measurements for the rest of their life. Given the fact that Prostate Cancer returns 30%-40% of the time within the first 5 years following surgery or radiation regardless of whatever therapies you’re on, (including ANDROGEN DEPRAVATION THERAPY, “ADT”), whatever protocol that makes the most sense for any individual patient should be considered. In reality, every patient is different. However, whatever decisions one makes should be based on “evidentiary facts,” and not on outdated conjecture! In the final analysis, there are no situations where you’re going to find 100% agreement on anything controversial or debated. In the end, every Prostate Cancer Patient should control the decision making process on the “Quality of Life” they want and how they choose to pursue it medically, (too each there own)!
Good luck to you and everyone else in your life pursuits.