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alternative to orchiectomy ...Conclusion

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Posted 4/1/2014 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson, Bunny

I give you a lot of credit for looking at the treatment in a different light. For some people the advantages:
"... an alternative to Orchiectomy since it needs the testes to make estrogen.
-no hot flashes / sweats
-no mood swings"
might outweigh the downsides you mentioned:

"- after 7 months the conversion is permanent . ...."

And the treatment cost would be significantly lower than the costs involved with orchiectomy.

This is such a clever idea. I wonder if there are studies out there.
You might be on to something! Now we need the data.

Stay well Hugs!

Jeff
Posted 4/1/2014 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Oncas and Jeff - thank you for your messages - and interest in this approach.



-I sent this to Oncas/Jim to help clarify the situation - I am documenting it, and hope to have the support of my family doctor when I see him later this month ...

hi - this approach to slowing down the PSA using the man's own estrogen can be monitored just like the injectable form of estrogen which is the norm right now.
-the pills and such can be stopped and have the PSA monitored - and "manhood" restored .. and when necessary start the process again ... just like with injectable estrogen and anti-androgens.
-except - no bad side effects such as those noted in HW - other than the chance of growing breasts - mine are barely noticeable - with no breast buds forming - and have a calmer attitude to life ... with no depression - no hot flashes - no night sweats, no menopause symptoms...

-for me ,yes it is a gender bender - but under my own empowerment to beat the beast called PCa.

Wishing you all the best in your journey.

hugs,
Bronson / Bunny

...
Posted 4/2/2014 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I heard that Tatt2man, we be Kew.
Posted 4/2/2014 8:27 AM (GMT 0)
thank you logo - I do appreciate your understanding .
Posted 4/2/2014 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Didn't intend my post to sound like a judgment on any lifestyle. Transgender procedures provide an excellent option for many people searching for their correct identity on this confusing planet. Taking this on as a treatment plan rather than an identity solution is somewhat of a different bag. I do understand that the process is reversible and I do think that this avenue carries a good deal of logic. We need to know more. Sorry if I walked in too heavy on this one.
Best to you.

Jim
Posted 4/2/2014 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Tatt2man,
I thought this is such a wild and crazy idea that it just may work. My younger brother has not responded to surgery, radiation, HT, Trials and chemo. He has nowhere to go from here and nothing to lose, so I passed it to him. While researching Bovine Ovary pills, I ran across Curcumin, looks promising for those that do not respond to conventional treatment. Sounds weird, but nothing to lose.
You may be a patfinder for those, such as my brother. keep us posted.
Roy
Posted 4/2/2014 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Jim (no worries - I sent you an email) and thank you Roy.

Roy - a few messages back I left a URL of the transgender medical care site that talked about lupron risks.

www.transgendercare.com/medical/resources/tmf_program/tmf_program_5.asp

It mentions the other anti-androgen drugs and hormones used. They may be of benefit to your brother.

Take care,

hugs,
Bunny ( Bronson / tatt2man)
Posted 4/18/2014 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
hello again:
Just got my monthly test results - using my alternative route to keeping PSA low -
-serum testosterone was down from 16.7 - 11.5 (in Canada we use a different measuring unit system than what you guys show as your T levels.
-estrodiel /estrogen is same < 70
-liver is good (best ever in over 10 years - down from 34 - 24 ( using Dandelion Root and Milk Thistle to flush out liver - which can get overloaded with estrogen).
-and drum roll please -
- PSA - < 0.010 - undetectable again !!
-coping well with other issues.
-minimum side effects - no harrassment at gym due to bigger chest size ( whoopee doo).
-my GP doctor is pleased with results - he has arranged for me to see doctor who specializes in gender issue hormone therapy and prostate cancer to make sure I am not upsetting the applecart.
-and my alternative approach to post-SRT and the test results are being sent back to my PCa Specialist/Oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital for his files.
-nice to be in the zero club again - was worried about liver and over medicating - will be reducing down amount of supplements - be retested in a month or two.
-thank you for your love and support,

Bronson / tatt2man / Bunny
:)
.......................
Posted 4/19/2014 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson -- I am happy for you but I do have a question. why did you feel a hormonal therapy was necessary? the way I figure it your recurrence took so long to occur that you cancer was most likely limited to the prostate bed so why the pre-emptive strike and how can we know if it's done anything regarding your BCR?

ed
Posted 4/19/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
I just did not feel comfortable simply waiting for cancer s return decided to compare effectiveness at reducing PSA with minimal side effects .... so far... so good.
Posted 5/27/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Had a chat with my Urologist - Surgeon, on May 21, 2014, who did my PCa surgery. He was left out of the loop when it came to my having radiation treatments. Attempted to discuss my alternative approach but he side-stepped it - told me not to bother and that "you are cured of cancer - see me in a year".

Very pleased to hear the "good C" word instead of just the "bad C".

Participating in art event this weekend - ERRING ON THE MOUNT - using a former Mount St. Joseph's Nunnery - for a 60 artist event - performance art/ sound installations, visual art...

My series of paintings that I did during my radiation treatments will be on display - PROSTATE C*NCER - "the radiation series". Was interviewed for local paper today - should be out for Friday edition.

Thank you all for your interest and support. I still feel this could be a form of alternative care to lower testosterone to lower PSA and slow down PCa.

Take care,
hugs,
Bronson
Posted 5/27/2014 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bronson, so glad it is going well. A good word indeed considering what you have been through in the past 12 months. Good luck with your art event this weekend. It sounds both educational and creative. I hope you are pleased with the response from those who attend. Congrats on your tenacity in trying to keep medicos informed. You can only try to share. Not much else. Doesn't really matter as long as you keep trying. It's good to give feedback to medicos if they want it. We are somewhat lucky there. Our GP is always willing to read new things if I come across something relevant to CJ. You never know. In future they may be calling you to ask.

Anyway, just a note to wish you well. I know you have family in Australia, so I guess you are still up-to-date on all the current jokes. I won't repeat any here!

Good luck this weekend and stay well. If you can, post a link to your interview when it's done. Take care and thanks for posting your ideas and treatments. Best wishes to Steve. Cheers, Lana
Posted 5/28/2014 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson
I echo the sentiment of outside the box thinking. I was on des for 5 months and began to develop my own set of breasts. I had them zapped in a desperate attempt to cling to what masculinity I have left. I can see that this would not be a concern to someone who leans to the feminine side of things. It seems alien to me yet I do not occupy your skin. The two birds with one stone logic works for you and for that I am happy. As stated previously, I don't think the treatment protocol will get a lot of takers. Unlike Peter, I see my own face in my daughter and have no doubt I would be a pretty female but I won't be going that way too soon.

On a personal level, I am curious and ignorant but I do have to ask the question. If a gay guy is attracted to the same sex, does the attraction wane if his partner takes on the feminine shape. I am sorry if the question is inappropriate but I assure you it comes with nothing but respect. Hugs back at you. Todd
Posted 5/28/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks Lana and Todd.

Todd - no worries - the feminine side of me had been suppressed and caused a great deal of depression and anger - but with that part of me out in the open - I am still ME - am more relaxed and not afraid as before.

Gender identity is separate from sexual attraction - (can be very confusing and lots of shades of grey and not black and white) - so I am the same yet now am accepting my attraction to women as well as men now ... Steve is not pleased with the changes but dealing with it - more platonic now - and more honest.

As stated earlier on in this discussion - it was thought of as an alternative to orchiectomy ( removal of testicles) and without the negative side effects of traditional hormone therapy ( menopausal side effects). It does not have to be permanent.

Take care,

Bronson
............
Posted 5/29/2014 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Very pleased with coverage of this weekend's event which includes my series of paintings done during my radiation treatments -
www.mykawartha.com/news-story/4543487-erring-on-the-mount-creativity-has-a-unique-home-this-weekend/


- here is the text -

"Meanwhile, the biggest smile presented on this day belonged to artist Bronson Smith who, just recently, found out he is free of prostate cancer. His installation of seven primitive wood paintings, titled PROSTATE C*NCER: The Radiation Series, reflect his shifting moods over seven weeks of radiation treatment. In each, the sky takes on different hues; the patterns on the quilts on a clothesline vary.

"I wanted to do something to keep my mind busy and this is the result," explains Smith, an artist for some 30 years.

"I've discovered the good C word...cure. These paintings chronicle my journey. They're very personal."

How personal? He refuses to sell any one of the paintings on its own. Rather, they are being sold as a set of paintings only. That's not negotiable.

"These paintings are so much a part of me. How I felt...what I went through. That can't be broken up."

...
Posted 6/1/2014 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am pleased with the reaction to the art show and their reaction to me being cured of cancer...

..and to those still wondering... I am still a male ... with all the boy bits intact (except for the prostate, of course) ... just a slightly bigger chest ( from 49" - 51") as a side effect of this alternative approach to reducing PSA .... no menopausal side effects as per traditional anti-androgen approach.

Jan 24 - testosterone - 16.0
PSA 0.035
May 21- testoserone - 0.20
PSA <0.010
.. end of experiment ...

wishing you all the best

Bronson
...

p.s. - testosterone -
normal range - Canada - nmol/L - 6.7 - 28.9
normal range - USA - ng/dL - 300 - 1000

...
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