Worried about my Dad

I've gone back and forth as to whether or not to post my dads situation because I have been scared to read the answers and or opinions. Decided I'll just go for it and hope for the best.

My dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer a little over 2 years ago at age 55. He went about a year with a rising PSA from around 4 to 6. His first Biopsy was negative so we obviously kept an eye on it. At the end of 07 which was about a year later my dad decided to have another biopsy. Of course the news wasn't good this time. Came back positive in 2 out of 12 cores. Gleason score was 4+3 from local Urologist ang got 4+4 score from UCLA. Had a RP about 2 weeks later at USC Norris Center. Amazing Doc we found there. Surgery went great. It was contained to the prostate with no sv involvement or lymph node involvement. Of course he was then upgraded again to 5+4. The doctor was very happy with his results from the surgery based on his Gleason Score and so were we. A month or so later we decided to have radiation as a preventive measure because of his Gleason score. Radiation went well. It has now been 2 years since surgery with a psa of zero. about a week ago he went in for his 3 month PSA test and it came back at .1. Had it done at again to confirm it was .1 and it was. This has been a huge upset to the family because we thought he beat this! My dad is the one who holds my family together and the thought of losing him is devastating. He has worked so hard the last 2 years with his diet and supplements to keep his prostate cancer away. I know .1 is very low and virtually undetectable but it seems to all of us that it is back. The big worry here is of course his Gleason Score of 9 and the fact that he already did radiation.

Any advice or reassurance would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Understand your fear and worry in your post. Any Gleason 9 situation is serious, but it doesn't mean its hopeless by any means. So he had his surgery, then you did radiation as a precaution. This would be a good approach for most men with his stats. Two years after surgery, his PSA is back to .1. Yes, it is low so to speak. What most would suggest is probably to go to Hormone Treatments. There are several people here first hand experienced with using them. They will starve out the remaining PC cells and slow things down. The dietary changes and supplements are good things for general health reasons, but there's no proof they can slow down or stop cancer growth. Nothing wrong with doing that though.

Hopefully someone well veresed with hormone therapy will come along and give you some better advice. I wish you luck, and please keep us posted closely.

David in SC

Hi Dad's hero,
I say that because your love and concern has you looking out for him, that makes you a hero as well! At least to me...

If it's a relapse it is very important to remember, relapses are not death sentences. it is a cause of concern because he has exhausted two local therapies in it, but this only means that it is time for a systemic approach, and likely with hormonal therapy. It is time to look into these options. I chose intermittent HT as my protocol and I have been doing well and I just entered my first "off" period. Many options remain for me and your father, but diligence will become an important factor. Has your father done any hormonal therapies yet?

Staying positive is very important. I believe in the power of a positive mind. There are multiple approaches for your father into the future, and each step will require much thought and perhaps multiple opinions...

Tony

Dadsmyhero,
Together with input from the great members here, reading the stories of other fellas with higher Gleason scores may help to cope with your concerns. You can read quite a few here on YANANOW:

www.yananow.net/Chart-Gleasonu6.htm#8

Hope it helps and best wishes,
Bill

Just read some of these. Definitely inspiring. Thanks!

Thanks for that link Billy Mac, uplifting and sobering at the same time.

Michael