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Huel Houser had metastatic prostate cancer

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Posted 1/21/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
He was one of my heros, He had a series on PBS in California called California Gold. It was an extremely popular show but only for Californians as the show did not get nationwide distribution. I was deeply saddened he was fighting this disease and went into hospice.
There is no details of his battle, there are some good urology centers in Palm springs and Redlands Loma Linda. He was 68. It must have been detected way too late and was beyond treatment. I wish I knew more details of his illness it would help us all in the battle with this horrible disease. I never heard of prostate cancer in the 40's and 50's most ole boys died of a heart attack or lung cancer. and I believe it is the same today. But PC is getting all the press. I'll eventually find out the whole cost of a biopsy and I'm sure find that very interesting. surgery center, uro doc, drugs, anestesioligist, pathology, 2nd opinions, onocology opinion, Big business.

Post Edited (Berdoo/Arkansas) : 1/21/2013 8:32:03 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
who is huel houser?
Posted 1/21/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
An actor in California.
Posted 1/21/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think he was an actor. I think he hosted like a local travel show on the LA PBS station.

Post Edited (Ziggy9) : 1/21/2013 8:29:51 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/21/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)

Purgatory said...
who is huel houser?


Dudes - none of you ever watched PBS in CA?

He hosted a travel show, "California's Gold" for like 17 years on KCET. He did these half hour shows on travel destinations through out the Golden State. He was fun to watch.


Andrew
Posted 1/21/2013 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I don't live in CA. Feel bad for him, of course, but honestly never heard of him or this show.
Posted 1/21/2013 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
my hope was some information from a palm springs/redlands/loma linda prostate patient that might have been aware of his treatment and the failure of same. sounds like NOT? oh well. somtimes information is lacking in the field of prostate treatments, other times it's massive. I just found out Medicare will NOT pay for Cyberknife.
Posted 1/21/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
here is a story about him in the la times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/howser-had-difficulty-with-cancer-wanted-to-keep-working.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+(L.A.+Now)
Posted 1/21/2013 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/howser-had-difficulty-with-cancer-wanted-to-keep-working.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+(L.A.+Now)

- to make a link active you have to add ... [ then URL then ] then the web link as in http://www.la.timesblogs.com
then [ then /URL then ]
... it is hard to describe because if you just type it in you see nothing ( since it is working) - I have put the stuff you need to add in bright red.

-will look up Mr. Howser and his work now.

a Canadian PBS fan and friend of Big Bird,
Bronson
( we can get PBS from Seattle, Buffalo and Detroit with our TV provider)
Posted 1/21/2013 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
too bad no story discusses his treatment, L.A. has the best, city of hope, I know dennis hopper fought like a dog! for years. and poor ole Lennie Briscoe (law and order) put up a valient fight. His wife maintains a story of his struggle. It seems there are variations to this disease that will kick your butt no matter what you do? and there are variations that you don't need to do nuthen?
How do ya know which one ya got?????? I have a friend at the senior center, diagnosed at 60! no treat! he is 80 now and it is worked into his bones and bladder, he takes pain pills. go figure?
Posted 1/22/2013 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Berdoo:

Who told you Medicare won't pay for CyberKnife ??
Posted 1/22/2013 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I talked to a rep from a clinic in Tulsa Ok. she said nope, but I may be able to get into a study. also there was a medicare site that mentioned Cyberknife? she is sending me the info. But I am sorry I didn't keep the link.
There are just so many treatments available, I'll run with the one that I have a free place to stay like either Lansing Michigan, Chicago, or Riverside calif. There is an excellent devinci surgeon here in Little rock! 2 day hospital, with continuation with my local uro. Like they say surgery is almost final, but with a bad ticker at 70, I'm not a good candigate?
Posted 1/22/2013 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I remember Huell Howser well (lived in LA for 20 years). Didn't know he had PCa.
Posted 1/22/2013 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Berdoo :

Here is my post on the Accuray ( CyberKbife ) Forum and a response from an experienced CK radiation oncologist :

Joined: 10/29/2010
Posts: 391

I just read a post on the HealingWell Forum that said Medicare won't re-imburse for CK. Anyone heard this before ? The poster lives in Arkansas. Thanks.

JAV

Response :

radsrus Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 3:34 AM

Joined: 10/10/2008
Posts: 3715

They have to go on an investigational protocol I believe, but that can be just a registry where data is collected. At least two are available.

Clinton A. Medbery, III, M.D.
St. Anthony Hospital Cyberknife Center
(405) 272-7311
buddy at swrads dot org

(email obscured a bit to avoid harvesting - 142)

So Berdoo, in other words, they will pay if the patient takes part in the investigational study. You simply would apply to be part of that. Sounds like the rep isn't fully informed, to me, or isn't interested in the extra paperwork.

And, excuse me for asking this, but what does "surgery is almost final" mean ? Are you aware that any treatment ( including any type of surgery ) has about the same chance ( about 4% ) of having the CaP reoccur, because there may be microscopic CaP cells already outside the prostate capsule ?? And, if you have a heart condition, being at a 45 degree angle under anesthesia for 3-8 hours seems to me to be something to be avoided. And then you will have to take your chances with the very possible long term side effects ( incontinence & ED ). Good Luck on your journey.

Post Edited By Moderator (142) : 1/22/2013 7:10:33 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/22/2013 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
thank you sooooo much for the clarification. She did make me aware of the study group, but I misunderstood the difficulty of the deal. sounds like a paper cake walk. She was gonna send me detailed information, applications etc.
also I am REAL familiar with surgery, all my close friends except of few oldsters have had the surgery. all are impotant! sad. most had pee in the pants syndrome for a year, one for 3 years but eventually only when he caughs. one had to walk out of a restarant wet front of pants. bummer, and in summer, no coat to hide.
The sugery option is pumped up by urologists as the gold standard of a perfect cure, and that is a bunch of hogwash. I love your comment.
I wish I was as healthy as can be with clear arteries but when my doctor says stay close to a cth center with rapid turnaround It really makes you think and then when they say 2 years to 10? it almost sounds like a PC diagnosis!!! and 2 buddies in my silver sneakers exercise class have been hauled into er for MORE stents and bipasses. geeeze.
I know this is a surgery group and I'd love to just cut it out, I have ED creeping in anyway. and with PC you will probably get ED anyway!!!???
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