good news - PSA - Zero Club - personal thoughts

I have just come back from my Urologist/Surgeon for my 16 month PSA - and it is 0.02 - which is less than <0.10 - so I am still in the Zero Club
( even though there is no such thing as an absolute zero )

I was expecting the worse - a rise in the PSA which would then lead me to other treatment options - but for now, I am still in remission - and my next PSA appointment is March 24, 2012.

My reason for concern was my weight gain since surgery. Due to depression, incontinence, and other matters, I had not been as active as before and sought solace with food .....
BUT
... on the other hand, I did take heed of most of the wonderful pdf book from Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada- CHALLENGING PROSTATE CANCER - nutrition, exercise and you - a lifestyle guide

I reduced my red meats, increased consumption of fish and seafood - eliminated vegetable or corn oil for cooking ( they help feed PCa) and replaced it with extra virgin olive oil - added a separate vitamin D3 source ( not just the one tagged onto my calcium supplements for osteoperosis /osteopenia ), folic acid, B-12, Omega-3 ( eliminating B-6 which help feed PCa)... oh yes, and a daily 6 oz glass of Soy Beverage and either a Pomegranate Tea or Pomegranate Juice blend drink.

( ducks and covers for the onslaught of the anti-Pom brigade )
:smile:

I am also on Crestor - a statin - for my cholesterol , which is believed to help reduce the risk of re-occurrence of PCa.

My lifestyle goal this year is to lose 50 lbs by Christmas - which will help with my back and breathing problems and also keep my cholesterol down.

We all know everyone is different, and for those with the similar stats as mine, some have had to take more aggressive post-operative treatments, while others have not.

...............................
Years ago, I came up with the concept that the best way to treat Cancer is to treat it like a entity that just wants to survive

in simple terms - it needs food and a home to live.

My concept was - You can defeat it by starving it (reducing what it feeds on - ie.for prostate cancer - testosterone, cholesterol, sugars, etc.... )
You can prevent it from taking hold in your body by use of antioxidents (so it cannot get a foothold and is flushed out of the body - like plaque cells in arteries) and if necessary, by radiation in select areas so it is not a safe place to stop and latch on....) - and the possible use of hormones that control cell growth in the wild (ie. frog and fish sizing in overcrowded ponds) could be used in humans.

I was 16 years old at the time. I wrote to the Cancer Society of Canada - they wrote back saying "they had scientists working on real solutions".... so I left that slip to the wayside...
............................

Regardless of your stats, your pathology, your choice of treatment - keep working at defeating this confusing disease - and if you can, keep telling others about it and your journey, which may lead someone to an early diagnosis and treatment with less invasive results and side effects ....

- and you may just save a life

- my GP in Toronto did - he called me at home, and got me off my butt (instead of waiting until next year's annual physical) to go to an Urologist - and the rest is history..

- wishing you all the best, and thank you -

happy hugs,
BRONSON
..............

Great news, Bronson.  I come from a family that doesn't hug, but I'll send you a firm handshake and congratulations.

Great to hear about your PSA Bronson. The lifestyle changes, if nothing else improve QOL, at least to my way of thinking.In my life it seems that it has takena major event to make major changes, although when I quit smoking 30 some years ago I  just took up running. So you have a whole year until your next PSA. Enjoy!

Michael

Thank you for your responses.
Ed -thanks
Clock - handshakes are good - I am afraid of bearhugs these days!
James - I can always pig out on fish and veggies down in Baton Rouge
Michael - can't run due to leg and back, but am working on a walking routine
Juliet - hugs right back atcha

all the best,
hugs
BRONSON

Such Wonderful News !!! Keep the zero’s coming...

In the past 6 months I have gradually done the radical diet change, including the elimination of red meat. Actually in the last month, for the first time in my life, I have started using a protein powder. I had an official visit with a local dietitian as I started training for a 10k and ½ marathon. I had a second consult with her regarding some particular concerns about nutritional needs during my training schedule. It is just amazing how much info you can get from the food labels, but I needed some teaching to really benefit from the info. My next "cow meat" intake is scheduled for June 21^st. I’ll be in Alaska and I’m going to celebrate the summer solstice with a big fat blood dripping steak. I have lost 25 lbs and I can assure you that your not going to be disappointed with how much better your going to be feeling. My goal is to be down another 15 lbs by June 18^th. I’m going to do a 10k in Fairbanks on that day and would like to be at least somewhat competitive in my age class, The "Casey" challenge really helped me step it up and I have now developed a few "friends" at the gym who are very encouraging.

Bronson, I always enjoy your comments. You openly advocate for all of us. Your work up north in the area of prostate cancer education is something that I admire. I wish we had more ambassadors like you.

Hero

Bronson,

I don't post much any more but I do check in to see how everyone is doing. You have always seemed to be one of the kindest people on the forum so I was thrilled to see that you are still in the "zero club"! As for the soy milk, my husband wouldn't drink his coffee or eat his cereal without it. And he loves pom juice mixed with iced green tea. I'm a strong believer in "You are what you eat" and like your concept of starving the cancer.

So, here's to a life time of zeros for you, Bronson!!!!!

Kind regards and lots of hugs,

Renee

Bronson

Great news and post.  I've also been less active since surgery due to a combination of family illnesses and laziness.  I've started trying to watch my diet better and have been drinking a ton of water. I've noticed that the water has helped in many ways - including some weight loss and able to sleep much better.  Now to start the excercise regimen again ...

Keep up the good work

Ray

Great news Bronson! YAYYYY!
Since the surgery and reading comments here,I too have changed my diet.When on the occasion we deep fry things we use peanut oil.If nuts are good,shouldn't peanut oil be good? More fruits and veggies. My meat choices have always been fish,chicken, pork, beef in that order.
I have been on a weight loss thing since the surgery,when I went in I was 265lbs, now a puny 250lbs.Feb of 09 over 300lbs.At 6'5" the prostate bible says I'm still over weight, but since the weather is better and a release for exercise from Uro, I'm walking more and using the elliptical every day. I actually started that a while ago, just going easy.I've been pretty much a water and beer drinker( can't just drink water) for over 2 years. Breaking the soda habit was tough.
A life time of Zero's to ya bud!!!!

MEDVED, RAY, DASLINK, and JEFF ( who is dataless) - thanks for the kind comments and support.

The extra virgin olive oil I use is for fast searing of the meat and then I add fluid/marinade for braising - so no smoke problems ( which would add a carcinogenic element) - thanks-

It took a while to break the diet soda pop addiction a few years back - got to really like water - hate the price of brita filters or bottled water - so I use the filterless brita container and let the tap water sit in the fridge for a day or two - a lot of the chlorine evaporates and it tastes great !

Once we get into more spring like weather, I expect more movement on my part - and really looking forward to the trip for the GFMPH weekend.

hugs to one and all,
BRONSON

Bronson,
That is good news on both the PSA front and your new diet. Add exercise 4 times a week and I'm sure you will accomplish your goal of losing 50 lbs.

Bronson, I should have added this also, grapefruit is medically known to interfere with Pom, I kinda assumed this was common knowledge, guess cause it is medically known. It may, in both cases, be like the SE you read on any prescription, though in grapefruit what i have read indicates, dont mix em.

JACK / skate ( a good nick for a canuck):

thanks for the hugs - has been a good day - lots of support and feeling good about myself and how helpful HW has been to me and others - thanks to Peter and the Mods ( still waiting for that youtube video !)

hugs right back atcha,
BRONSON

Great news Tatt! I liked what Hero said about you being our ambassador, we appreciate all your efforts...

Hope the zips keep coming your way!

Take care,
Jake