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Posted 11/2/2006 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm new to this forum and can't seem to get any questions answered regarding what to expect regarding my fathers condition.  He has had prostate cancer for several years.  He has had his prostate removed and was fine until about 3 years ago when the cancer moved into his bones.  At that point he was given hormone treatment (which worked for about 2/12 years) and then it stopped working.  His PSA has gone up considerably the past few months (from .01 to 268) and continues to rise when they check it every 3 weeks.  He had a bone scan recently and CT which showed the cancer had spread to most of the bones in his body.  He was on chemo every 3 weeks for 6 hours each time and has since been changed to once a week for an hour each time.  His platelet count is down very low.  Besides the cancer he has diabetes (insulin dependent) and has a pacemaker.  He gets around pretty well and still trys to go to the gym as much as he can and rides his bike when he feels up to it.  I have several questions as I am the only one of my parents 6 kids that live anywhere near them.  What can we expect down the road?  Can the cancer leave his bones and attack other organs?  He is 82 years young and has a really good outlook, but I need to know what to expect so that I can help my mother out as much as possible.  Any help or advice and answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 11/12/2006 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am a P/C survivor, so far. PSA of 250 in 1989; diagnosis was "terminal and untreatable" with multiple bone mets. Prognosis death in 6 months. Since there was nothing here permitted by the FDA and my father had died of P/C after relying on Mexican remedies, I went to Europe. It's a long story but to cut to the chase there is a lot of information and cutting edge therapies available today in the USA but not all of it available through conventional MDs who are stuck on "cut, burn and poison" (surgery, radiation and chemo) and some only through being a guinea pig in a Trial. I have survived 5 trials, two in Germany and three in the U.S. Hear this: ALL cancer victims are seriously D deficient. It is called vitamin D but in reality it is a hormone with many applications in your body. It comes to you naturally, from sunlight (UV)on your exposed skin. This is why there is much more P/C in northern hemisphere countries and among our black brothers; not enough sun exposure. I currently take (by prescription) 50,000 international units of "vitamin" D3 every morning. That's right, fifty thousand. It fits in one small, white capsule. Also, I take 15 grams per day of vitamin C, orally, and once a week a bolus of vitamin C intravenously. I spread out the oral C during the day, 1000 or 2000 milligrams at a time to keep the plasma level high enough to be lethal to the remaining tumour cells. I do all the other non-controversial therapeutic things such as lots of fish oil for Omega 3, 8 oz. per day of pomegranate juice (as an anti inflamataory; P/C is very inflammatory), lots of fresh vegetables, raw if you can, fresh fruit, some fish but no red meat, and it's great that your Dad exercises, encourage him to keep it up. I am 77 and work 6 days a week. I live near mountains and hike every chance I get. One more point, it is now a proven fact that STRESS HORMONES exaccerbate any form of cancer. Besides a loving family I keep my stress level under control with lots of prayer. Whether you are a Christian or not, it is a historical fact that Jesus was the greatest healer that ever walked the face of the earth; your Dad couldn't find better company in his walk for life. Good Luck. The Gunner
Posted 11/13/2006 5:04 PM (GMT 0)

jcook,

I'm sorry to hear your father's pc had advanced.  I have not responded, as I suspect is true of many of the others, because I have no experience with this stage of pc.  I would just continue trying, as you are, to learn as much as you can. 

I am very impressed with Gunner's post!  That should give you hope at the very least.  For him to have had a psa of 250 in 1989 and be given no hope, and then to turn it around and find other treatments that have worked so well for over 15 years is absolutely remarkable. 

Gunner, I hope you continue to post on this forum as your treatment success lends great hope to those on this forum in more advanced stages of pc.

jcook, I hope you can find the answers your looking for.  Again, it would be great to pass on any information you learn to those of us that may still need further treatment in the future.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Posted 11/13/2006 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't responded because I'm a coward. There are a lot of posts I don't respond to for the same reason.

There isn't any good news for Jcooks father if his PSA has risen so sharply in such a short time. Dispite every effort made to keep his cancer in remission, it still progresses. His is a matter of time. As long as he feels comfortable and is happy, enjoy the time he seems to be enjoying himself.

Jcook, you will continue to be there to care for him when it does get harder but I advise you to take great comfort in being there. Those who cannot be present, who haven't the opportunity to enjoy, to celebrate a man's life to the end, are missing out on so much. We have to remember....death is going to happen sometimes whether we're ready or not. The hardest thing for us to do as humans is to enjoy what we have, while we have it, when we know life is coming to a close here on earth. Smile when he does. Laugh when he laughs and endure with compassion and strength as he is unable to. When it is time to go, let go. You'll see him soomeday just as you had hoped...enjoying enternity. God Bless, Vickie
Posted 11/23/2006 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jcook ~   Just a little note to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you!   Take one-day-at-a-time and know that we are never promised tomorrow so make the best of the gift you’ve been given….. TODAY….. enjoy each moment.   And when our journey is finished here on earth… know that it has been a journey well worth traveling with nothing left ~ not done J   and celebrate the life we’ve lived.   What a GIFT!!!!   One-Day-At-A-Time…… Yesterday was history.    Tomorrow is a mystery.   Today is a gift.   That’s why it’s called the Present.   Let me start off by stating that Swimom is definitely not a coward.   Her words are very heartfelt!!!   And we have the highest regard for her opinions, advice, and knowledge…..   Jcook …   our thoughts and prayers have been with you and will remain with you and your father.   Looking at the whole picture…. It reminds me of my mom’s situation and I’m sure you’ve come to realize that the time is near for your dad to take his final step in this journey.   Once the cancer spreads to other areas it truly is a matter of time.   When that time will be ~ no one really knows…. So enjoy today…..   It could be 1 week or 1 month or 1 year…. just know that we have the opportunity now… to close any doors that need to be closed and open any doors that need to be opened….     This is my opinion…. And I feel comfortable sharing it…   The best thing is to make sure he is comfortable and in no pain.   There will be a time you will need to call in hospice if he wishes to remain at home… and I hope you will look into this.   This organization helps the whole family and you can rest assured that your father will be given a comfortable ending.   I think the main thing any of us want ~ is to not suffer.   And my experience with hospice has been very positive.   You are very fortunate to be so close!!   You have time to say what needs to be said, things you don’t want left unsaid… in a since knowing the end is near makes a difference.   This is a blessing in some cases… not all ~ I understand… but when someone dies in an accident/sudden death…. it takes a much longer time for closure… so feel blessed in the since that you have the time to talk and hold him.   Remember ~   …. It is so important to let him know ~ you’re going to be okay!!!     The night before my sister and I were to fly out to be with her….we received a call that they didn’t expect my mom to make it through the night.   She had taken a turn they didn’t expect….   She was 3000 miles away (Canada)…. our plane reservations had been made 2 weeks before to arrive on the Tuesday~ to receive this call was totally out of the dark!!!   We arrived at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and she passed on to her final journey at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday.   We had 13 hours to be with her.     She had metastatic cancer and had only been diagnosed on the Wednesday before after a routine chest x-ray when she admitted herself to the hospital after suffering 7 weeks with the diagnosis of Gall Bladder.   She was on the waiting list for Gall Bladder surgery when she couldn’t stand the pain any longer….     So ~ take the time now to spend extra time with your father and when it’s time….let him know you will be okay ….   This will make it easier for him.   We said a special prayer just the 3 of us and in that prayer we told my mom… that it was okay for her to leave us now...   that we needed this time (to sing to her, to brush her hair, and to kiss her, and to talk to her) and we were so comforted by having this time …but now ~ it was time for her to start her new journey with all her old friends who were waiting for her.   I truly believe this was the turning point….. she knew we were going to be okay because we had each other.   We were standing with our hands on her heart as she took her last breath… and it was very peaceful…   I share this with you because I when I shared this with a co-worker (her mom had been terminally ill for 5 years) and 6 months later she came to me and said that the ending for her mom was a much greater peace for all of them ~ because I shared with her about my mom.   So ~ I feel comfortable sharing this with you.     To help your mother out during the period when you know it’s time…. Make sure friends come in and help her…. She won’t want to leave your dad… So plan to have friends come in at different times….to sit with him, read to him, or just to be there ~ she will be more inclined to take a few minutes and she can go lie down and will be comforted knowing he’s not alone… this would be a great gift they can give to your mom….   Sending extra strength to you and your family….for the stepping-stones that are in your path at this time….   Our hearts go out to you!   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You”   It's a little prayer   ~   "God BlessYou" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you   and guide you on your way.    
Posted 11/23/2006 3:08 PM (GMT 0)

Me too, Swim  -  me too.

Dear Jcook, I certainly agree with what others have said here and would like to add my two cents worth.  When our son was ill last year, the ICU nurses gave us some good advice.  They said to take care of ourselves and pace ourselves.  An experience like this eats up your time and your emotions, so easy does it.  Take your time and know that's the best thing you can do for your father. 

Our son is a-ok now.

Regards,

Bill

Posted 11/23/2006 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Jetguy,

I'm so glad to hear that your son is a-ok now...Nothing is worse than a child who is in danger...even if it is an adult child...unless, of course, it's a husband with PC!!!

Jcook,

What Jetguy said is true...you have to keep yourself healthy so you are able to help your father and mother through this emotional time.

Good luck!!

Posted 11/24/2006 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
jcook, based on gunner's post, there is hope that your father will live on for many more years if additional treatments will work. based on others' posts, there may be nothing that can be done. my FIL had the same response in his late 70s. his PSA was in the 400s, the cancer was in his bones, he was undergoing various treatments. he finally said the heck with it and stopped all treatments because he didn't feel good. after that point, he felt fairly well, lived his life, walked every day, and died peacefully at 82. no one can tell you exactly what your father will go through. it is different in every circumstance. as others have said, I would take care of you and your mother should do the same and enjoy the time you have left. I'm sorry there is no magic answer but only person is in charge, and He's upstairs. take care, kat
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