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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 10/2/2007 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I had my liptotripsy this morning preformed by Rick's urologist when the Doctor came in he asked Rick if he had given any thought as to what he wanted to do about his Rising PSA. Rick replied that he felt he has had a good long life and since his family members all died in their early 50's or late 40's he never expected to see 68. He went on to say that with all the pain he is having from his back he just didn't feel like fighting prostate cancer. Let it take its course. The Doctor asked him if he would try one 6 month shot of hormone theropy. Rick said he would think about it. Rick kissed me goodbye and they wheeled me off to the operating room where the doctor and I agreed we were going to get him into his office and try to convince him to take this shot.  I will make an appointment ASAP. Can anyone give me information on the 6 month shot so that if we do get him to try it I will know what to ecpect as far as side effects.

My very best wishes to you all and thanks again so much for your support.

Diana

Posted 10/2/2007 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana,
Rick needs to take that shot, no question. I took a 4 month shot of Lupron and I was fine. I just took a second dose for another 4 months. So far occasional hot flashes. They last a while but they are tolerable. I keep a cool room in the house. I can go in there and work or watch TV. Since my wife likes a warm house, it's nice to have a room to cool off in. And since I live in the desert, it's nice to have that room hot flashes or not. There will be additional meds for him like Casodex, Viactive, and Fosamax or any combination. Looking at his numbers, his PSA will likely drop to undetectable. And with a little luck stay that way. I decided to try the HT and radiation after surgery because it does work well for quite a while. I know if my PSA starts to climb I can decide to continue on HT or not, and whether I would do chemotherapy. If Ricks back pain is the driving factor, has he run out of options to treat it?

Tony
Posted 10/2/2007 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana
Rick's numbers are still very very low . . . .far to low to be giving up on the fight. He needs lot's of good positive advice and with the seemingly low side affects give the shots a try. He owes this to you and himself (all of us will be pulling for him)
;o) Linda & Bob
Posted 10/2/2007 3:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your responses. Tony you asked about his back if there were any more options. I don't know if there are we are seeing the back Doctor on the 17th but I sure hope so.

If we can convince him to take the hormone treatments would any of his medical history be effected? He had 4 unsucessful dododinal(sp) ulcer operations which was finally cured in 1988 by a esophigal (sp) wrap. he had heart by-pass surgery in 92 followed by a number of stents due to more blockages and an enlarged heart. The heart Doc gave him a clean bill of health last Dec. and didn't want to see him for a year. He had a cartoid (sp) artery stent placed in 2000 due to blockage. He had spinal menigitius(sp) in 2005 which he caught at the hosip. during one of his back operations. It took 2 weeks to cure the menigitius (sp) but he has never felt good since having it. Then he had the triple spinal fusion in 2007 which he is still trying to recover from. He says between the ulcers, heart, back and prostate he has already gone thru 18 major operations and can't see why I want him to take the hormone treatment now only to continue living in so much pain. My thoughts are we survived the heart operations and the back is not good but maybe we can still try to fix it. We can't give up.

Would hormones effect any of this?

Thank you Diana

Posted 10/2/2007 3:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Diana,

I did the Lupron path for a while.  Didn't like the hot flashes and the occasional crying, but it knocked my PSA down.  That's what mattered.  I'm now on Casodex, two 50 mg tablets a day, and the side effects are hardly noticable.

And its a lot easier on the behind.

Posted 10/3/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hagrid,
You are an awesome story. Upon looking at your past with this disease, you are a lesson for many including me. Thanks for sharing and showing us it can be done and it is worth all the effort. I too have the same side effects, but you are are a welcome sight. Happy 9th aniverasry in advance!

Tony
Posted 10/3/2007 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, TC-LasVegas. Keep up with the zeros!

It helps to have an Angel by my side.
Posted 10/3/2007 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Diana,

Don has been on Lupron for a year now. He does have many of the side effects but believe me he's happy to have made that choice.
Your dear husband has been through so much and I can understand him thinking that way. But lets hope that Rick is able to see past what he's feeling right now to a place where he can make an informed decision. There's proof right here that the HT can work and for a long time - Hagrid's wonderful story and Tony's determination to fight and live a long, productive life and my husband (whom I adore) are but a few examples of what can be done with Hormone Therapy.

Maybe Rick would like to talk to one of the guys - I know they're available. Just a thought.

I'll be thinking of you Diana,

Susan
Posted 10/9/2007 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Rick & Diane,   Just a little note to let you know how special you both are to all of us!   Please ~ know that you are in our thoughts as you continue to move forward with all “issues”… and we will be there to help shore up any of those wobbly stones.     Diane ~ I hope things went well for you with the liptotripsy.   You both are dealing with a lot and I’m so thankful you are continuing to reach out to all of us…    Here’s a special HUG for you dear lady… you are so special!!!   Rick ~   My friend…. You have always sent special messages to us and we are now reaching out to you…                                       Here’s our.. ….Gentle ….push….   Please … take a little time to re-group and start the fight again with the back pain …especially.   We are all here to help you.   Yes ~ you’ve had more than your share of stepping-stones along your life path.   And sometimes we think we’re on the one that’s going to sink us…. Well ~ guess what!!!   There’s to many hands helping to shore this one up ~ so you’re just going to have to move on to the next one.        Know we care and we need you to pull from all our strengths….   Okay!!!!     Warm wishes are just like the rainbows that help make our clouds disappear, They help us feel precious and cared for, and fill us with comfort and cheer (optimism).   Keeping you extra close during this time… Love from ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 10/21/2007 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
  smurf Bump to the top

                                   Keeping you close!!!

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