Father diagnosed with Gleason 9

Everyone that comes to this site is in an emotionally fragile state. Either for themselves, or for someone they're trying to help. Sometimes very fragile....

The members of this forum have a lot of knowledge, and a lot of ability to help. I've personally felt the warmth and support here.

There are those who seem to think being direct, blunt, even rude is somehow helpful. I don't think so. One can speak truth in gentleness, with consideration that the egg you're handling already has a cracked shell.

Let's play nice, shall we?

Thats not what I meant PeterD, but it is a beautiful statement of truth… almost magical. {Therefore you are} Descarte, like Peter Abelard, both french philosophers, thou Abelard had the added flavor of theology. A somewhat natural taste, but to some, acquired. Aloha.

Hey Songbird,

Yes, you are in a tough situation, but this is one of the best forums out there. Sometimes you get people who's treatment hasn't been what they thought it would be, and sometimes you get people who think they are experts in all aspects of the disease, side effects of meds, and different treatments...just because they have had it for so long. But there are alot of ordinary scared people, just like yourself, who are willing to help you out. So disregard the negatives posts and petty fighting and look for people who want to help you.

If you notice my signature, my husband is also a G9 and had surgery to remove as much cancer as they could. When I first started doing research on this, much of what I read was discouraging because 70 was the cut off age for this kind of surgery. Boy were were surprised when the doctors didn't mention his age, only to say that he looks great for a 70 year old with this much disease. I did most of the initial research because Danny was too much in shock...I was too but couldn't resist finding out everything I could(somethings I wished I didn't read). The surgery was tough on him, no doubt about it. But with everything they did, it would be rough on a person any age. He's gaining his weight back, getting stronger every day, and is cancer free. You can get through the rough patches of cancer by thinking about the good things about life.

My mother had a massive stroke in 1992 which left her paralyzed and affected her speech. At that time, the doctors warned us that she could have another massive stroke that would probably kill her. Well, I didn't let that stop me from "gently"(sometimes not so gently) pushing Mom through her physical, occupational, and speech therapies during that first year. The doctors were right, she did have a stroke that killed her...19 years later...and she lived everyday to the fullest walking and talking the best she could. So don't let the nay sayers bother you one bit. Oh, I have to mention that the stroke in 1992 was 10 months after my Dad lost a short battle with lung cancer with mets to his spine....they told him he had 6 months to live, he lived 8 just to prove them wrong:) He was able to to do things that the doctors said he probably couldn't do.

Everybody handles this terrible beast in their own way, and as long as your Dad wants to fight, stand proudly in his corner with all the knowledge you can get your hands on.

Redwing, what is rude, direct and blunt? Your great template, and mine, was all of that and more, and to great effect.

Songbird, you need not defend that which is not. Tell me that you did not receive more good than bad from Havenon and my post!!! Ruffled feathers are quite attractive on a songbird... as they show life.

Forum, Just so we are clear, cliques live any time there are more than 2 or 3 are gathered, in my view.
lets totally leave GFMPH out of this equation. These gatherings are the unity and the endpoint we strive for in life. I will let y"all sort out the paradox that statement presents in a contradictory existence as this.

Songbird,
My father, while younger, had a similar diagnosis. Gleason 9 & 10, Stage 3 via seminal vesical involvement, bone scan clear, lymph nodes clear. He had a very rough year due to the increased size of his prostate, but he made it through treatment OK (IMRT radiation, Lupron, and short course of chemo as part of a study) and knock on wood, seems to be in remission. He stayed on Lupron for 2 - 3 years, but has been off it for over a year now, PSA still undetectable.
Hopefully your dad can get through the treatment with minimal side effects. And of course, he can always stop the hormone therapy if it knocks him down too much.
Cheers

Goony goo goo