HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

two years out from postatectomy

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/31/2013 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I am two years out from my prostatectomy, I am worried, scared depressed

and sad... I knew I would have a rough road, because my cancer was not contained

in the prostate, they found it in seminal vessicals and lymph nodes

it has been four months since my last Lupron shot and my testosterone is 3

and my PSA is 5, i am going to wait one month and re-test to see what my PSA

will do...

i am not interested in radiation, because it will damage what ever health i have left

and i don't believe i am a candidate for a cure... i feel screwed... and stuck

i was thinking of taking one Lupron shot a year just to slow it down .

i want to know what would happen if i stop Lupron and let cancer take it's course

i want to know how long i have to live either on Lupron or off...

i know no one knows and no one can help me, it is in Gods hands.

thanks for listening

jack

so cal.

Posted 8/31/2013 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear things are going the wrong direction for you. This disease sucks sometimes -- OK, most of the time -- but we are all, as you said, in God's hands.

If that is enough for you, fine.

If, on the other hand, you'd like a more active role in your story you might start reading up on some of the clinical trials that are out there. See what sort of oddball notions He has placed in the fevered brains of His researchers. Look for an oncologist who likes to push the envelope.

There's too much going on for a young guy like you to sit around feeling hopeless.
Posted 8/31/2013 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Never give up hope, my friend.

You haven't begun to use up your arsenal of weapons yet in your PC fight.

Perhaps you need to regroup, rearm, and come back out fighting.

You may feel like you have lost a battle, but you certainly haven't lost the war.

We are here for you, come sap some energy from the rest of us here, we will lend you
a helping hand.

And never feel alone, there are too many of us here, at almost any hour of the day.

E-mail me if you wish, if its easier for you to communicate that way. I will answer you.

You are a man of faith, cling onto your faith and see the bigger picture of thing.

But never, ever, give up hope, you are far from being in a hopeless state.

David in sC
Posted 9/4/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
i am worried, my PSA was 4.3 when I had my prostate taken out two years ago, I have had several
Lupron shots, and my testosterone came back less than 3, but my PSA is now 5
what the heck, I am going to wait a month and retest my blood for PSA
now I knew I still had some cancer escape the capsule etc... but I did not expect the PSA to rise so darn fast.....I wonder how long I have to live?
how long can someone like me live?
I don't want to live like this, I think I just would rather go to heaven than stay here like this.
jack
Posted 9/5/2013 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Jack,

How old are you? You also say your PSA is 5 and yet your signature shows .10 unless you haven't updated your profile as that makes a difference if the Lupron is working or not. What has your Dr. said about your PSA?

As others say there are alot of other ways to attack this beast, so don't give up hope.

BOOGEE

Posted 9/5/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
We all owe a death, there are no exceptions. Dying is easy--it takes no talent or skill. It is living that is often hard, but only you can choose if your life is worth the fight. I can certainly understand wanting quality over quantity, but you do have options left if you decide to take them.

Good luck,
Tom
Posted 9/5/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I was 0.1 right after surgery, now I am a 5

off Lupron for six months but still have Low T testosterone

less than 3,  but PSA 5,  seems just wrong to me, no good at all.

Going to see my urologist next month and we will talk I will post

back here what he says, I just am in shock that my PSA would be higher

now than when I had a prostate gland, so that tells me

my cancer is growing wild and fast....

and so I am depressed and pissed

feel like I should take up smoking and drinking

and party till I die, even that plan sucks cuz I am

50% impotent too... darn , cant get a break round here.

thanks

jack

 

Posted 9/5/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Jack, sorry to hear you're in a major funk right now - but I'm going to tell you straight up that there's NO WAY we're going to sit back and let you give up - HELL NO! There are so many new approaches to tackling this beast that there is no reason to give up hope - so stay with us...... Other guys that are facing similar challenges as you are will join in soon - that are/have been in a worse place than you and are beating it - so hang in there brother! Here's a little bit of added inspiration that I want to pass along to you, from another thread that I posted a while back: I know that among us we run the gamut from doing extremely well all the way to feeling like it's the end - so I wanted to share with everyone my latest "trigger" towards staying positive in the fight against PCa. It's the second verse from a current Jason Aldean song titled "The Only Way I Know" - and for me I found it uplifting and very appropriate in terms of my attitude against the beast. My very best to all of the Brothers and Sisters of our "club." That’s the only way I know Don’t stop till everything’s gone Straight ahead, never turn round Don’t back up, don’t back down Full throttle, wide open You get tired, you don’t show it Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more That’s the only way I know   And here's a link to a video of the full song - so kick back, grab your beverage of choice, and listen up!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HHtsyXTYB8   BTW - if you need to talk this $4!t out, shoot an e-mail my way and I'll give you my cell.   Hang in there Bro........
Posted 9/5/2013 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Jack,
This is the place to vent so no problem. I do have 1 question however: "How in the hell do you know that you will go to heaven"? Lol..That was meant as a joke. We are a different group here, but we are all fighters and will do whatever it takes to help our brothers. You are not out of options and if you start fighting there is no reason that you can't live to be as old as this "old curmudgeon". Please see a doctor soon! I wish you the best!
Bill idea
Posted 9/5/2013 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Jack, you appear to be a man of faith. My prayers and good wishes are with you as you encounter this setback. May our Creator hold you and give you peace.

Mike

Posted 9/5/2013 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

You are having your PSA tests done consistantly at the same lab?

You didn't mention your age!

Hang in there as mentioned, we are all here to support you and one another!

BOOGEE

Posted 9/5/2013 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
yes, I am now 55 yrs and test my blood at the same place, I use Kaiser hospital

I was wondering, what if I want to be part of some new trial treatment

how do I find and volunteer for some new cancer treatment test study

and do you think that is worth doing?

thanks

jack

 

Posted 9/6/2013 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
You probably should be consulting with an oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer. Your condition is beyond the expertise of most urologists.
Posted 9/6/2013 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

Most would agree you are beyond Urologists care. Find a good Oncologists who specialize in PCa. We were in a study at Stanford, who found my husbands isolated met. to his spine.

You can go to teaching hospitals websites to see what study's might be available. Where do you live? Perhaps more will chime in with possible recommendations in your area.

BOOGEE

 

Posted 9/6/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

When people say "you are beyond the expertise of a urologist" it sounds more dire than it is. Urologists are generalist for plumbing issues and specialists for surgery. That makes them prostate cancer specialists for patients who are candidates for surgery. You've been there, done that. Most of the exciting advances in prostate cancer are in various forms of drug therapy and immunotherapy. For those sorts of things medical oncologsts are the experts. You need to hook up with one. You can talk to him about clinical trials, new treatments, etc..
Posted 9/6/2013 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Jack. You're too young to give up hope.
Posted 9/28/2013 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello folks, I am trying to figure out what Is going to happen to me...

30 day's ago my PSA was 5 now my PSA is 8,  and my testosterone is 5

(wow my testosterone number is same as my PSA) that is not good

I had prostatectomy two years ago, my last Lupron shot was six months ago

it looks like my doubling rate is 60 days,

this seems to me that my cancer is aggressive and bad and growing fast...

I am worried and sick,    I am 55 and DONT LIKE hormone therapy.

it seems like Lupron don't work unless you keep your testosterone at 0

as soon as you have any testosterone your PSA rises

WHY.......

I hate this

where is the cure, this was prostate cancer awareness month and I hear nothing

about anyone looking for a cure,

jack

 

Posted 9/28/2013 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning jack

I have been reading your thread this morning. I think we all can relate to a varying degree how you are feeling. I am not sure that I ever read where you live. You might want to post that information so that you can learn of oncologists in your area who might help. My prayer for you today is that you will be lead to the most appropriate doctor who can best aid in your treatment at this stage. Through your faith, I hope you can experience a fresh encounter of hope, encouragement and an awareness of not being alone. There is no doubt this is hard but you can be assured that there are those here who have been walking this path, have knowledge that they will share and will be here when you need help. Your name is known, your need is known and you have multiple avenues of resources for help available. God's blessings on your life today.
David
Posted 9/28/2013 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
good morning jack

 I have neither the experience or wisdom to comment on your post, but I had to reply to tell you i'll be thinking of you and praying for you

good-luck

carl 

Posted 9/28/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Jack I am certainly not a doctor but there has to be some treatment available to you. Don't give in to this disease.
Posted 9/28/2013 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,
Praying for you, For wisdom, clarity, and strength. Never give up.
Posted 9/28/2013 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
the treatment is "castration" aint that a *****.

I keep asking myself why if we can go to the moon we can go to mars

we can do all these fantastic things, why cant we cure cancer?

using castration as a treatment is like cutting off your arm to cure

arthritis in your hand.

it just does not make sense that this is considered

acceptable treatment.

jack

 

Posted 9/28/2013 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Lots of reasons why that is. Most are beyond the scope of this forum.
Posted 9/28/2013 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
JACK - We all feel your pain and our thoughts and prayers are with you. "Castration" does sound pretty awful but, isn't that what the Lupron was trying to do anyway? The only difference is the SE. Radiation is not fun in any way shape or form but, it can help target the beast and beat it back. You are 55, become proactive focus your anger and hate where it belongs, against the disease. There are no easy answers and a cure takes time but, each day you and Todd and Alan, and David, et al are here is a day closer to finding it. Don't stop now, continue the fight. Again, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted 10/2/2013 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Jack,

I hear your despair. We have all all had those feelings at one time or another. Maybe you could talk with your doctor about an anti-depressant to help in this period. As you may see by now, you have come to the right place for further support. The members here have in-depth knowledge and experience. They helped me greatly when I was diagnosed early this year. I was extremely anxious thinking I was going to die in a few months. Since you believe in God, know that He said He will never leave us. He is in control. When I get sad and depressed it helps me to read my Bible and Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myer's book "Beating Prostate Cancer w/ Diet and Hormone Therapy":) lol. Parts of the book need updating like supplements but it is good reading. Site is good too: www.prostateteam.com, as well as the PCRI site: www.prostate-cancer.org. Seriously, don't give up, never give up!!

The guys here are right, you need a medical oncologist preferably one who works a lot with PCa to guide your hormone therapy and other treatment options like radiation. I am starting to do that myself since I am not comfortable with my Urologist. I have read about men who have relapsed PCa (not saying that is your situation at all) with PSA's that were in the hundreds, even thousands who with a change in their hormone therapy treatment plan are in total remission.

Again, where are you located? Best to you in your journey!!

Robert
NC
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12