Let's call this beginning Phase Four of my PCa Jouney

Much of my journey to date has been well documented here, so just a little recap for the newer folks.

This has all transpired since June 2009. Just a little over a year ago this thing started.

Had da Vinci, didn't get it all.
Went through 35 IMRT treatments, PSA tests indicate there is something still there.
Test found MET on my leg at the hip joint, just completed MET radiation. PSA test just before radiation was 1.30.

So we begin the next phase and see where it leads.

At the suggestion of some of my learned brothers here I have requested that my Onco have a Ploidy DNA test run on my prostate biopsy block. Research indicates that one of strengths of this test is to identify the normalcy or complete weirdness of my particular cancer. This will hopefully tell the docs whether my cancer would respond well to HT or other therapies. Not that I am in any hurry to begin HT and really don't know if I can (personal choice) or not.

I have a meeting with my Onco next week and if the test is completed in time we'll discuss it. If the test is not done they will re-schedule the meeting as there isn't much to talk about until it is, as far as I am concerned.

In the meantime as a part of this phase I am beginning some new programs as part of my living with PCa. I have recently posted about fatigue, muscle loss, weight loss, mood swings and generally just feeling like carp all the way around. MD Anderson has a complete program they call "Mind, Body and Spirit" as part of treating cancer patients and their families. I am going to avail myself to this program.

I have a meeting scheduled next week with a nutritionist to discuss foods and diet that can help not only my well-being, but my fight with PCa as well. Sure made the wife happy with this one. She has been on my butt about "healthy" eating for a while now.

I have meeting scheduled with a therapist that deals with Oncology rehab to discuss work out programs and other physical stuff.

Yesterday I had a great meeting with the Mental Health Counselor. She took extra time with me and was in no rush. I guess she realized that there was a whole bunch of stuff I needed to say out loud. We discussed my cancer, my wife's cancer, my role as patient, as care-giver to my wife and lately my growing role as caregiver to my wife's father who is suffering from severe Parkinson's. Her mother (80 years old) has been doing it all on her own and it is beginning to take it's toll on her. The ability of Lynn to lend a hand is limited because of her own issues.

Don't want to get all mushy here and go into great detail, but there is one point of the conversation that I feel I must share with you my friends.

Being very honest with you, there were a number of times during this conversation when I teared up and had to regain my composure before continuing.

The first time and most profound time for me was during the part of our conversation where we were discussing all of these various roles and the energy and time required to deal with both.

The Counselor looked at me and said "Who is your SUPPORT SYSTEM"?

It was here I really teared up, my response was immediate, "My BROTHERS AND SISTERS of the Prostate Cancer Forum at Healingwell.com".

While I was silent for a while, she went on to tell me that she was personally familiar with Healing Well. She visits the site often to learn more about how folks are handling different things and has many times referred people to HW.

Not having any family other than my wife's (who rightfully spend their energies on Lynn, her mom and dad), I feel HW is my family, my support, my rock and the place I can always go to when I need to talk and air it out.

So once again, thank you my brothers and sisters for being here for me. It is not just trivial conversation when I say over and over to you folks, "this is not a journey I could have made without your support."

Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. I will of course keep you filled in on the results of this new test and the Onco meeting. And of course if I grow new muscles, get ripped, and begin to look really good for a 61 year old (til August 17th), I will find a way to post pictures and show off my new 4 pack. Hey gotta set achievable goals in the beginning. If I get the 4 pack, I will move on in trying to get the 6 or 8.

Thanks guys. It's a long post I know, but it was one I felt that had to be shared,

Bless you all for the time and energy you spend here,

Sonny

Ed, thanks man. Ain't giving nothing up anytime soon. You know me "Every Day is Still a Bonus". In fact the hardest thing I think I have had to do during this journey is to control my darned crying while I tried to tell her about you guys.

Thanks for the prayers and blessings,

Sonny

Sonny, my dear friend, no shame ever in honest from the heart tears, and I don't care if we are suppose to tough a** dudes. We feel what we feel. Like you, my brothers and sisters here, and the most important part of my PC journey, outside of my immediate family and current medical team. This is all real to me, in every sense of the word.

I think you are taking the right steps, with the oncology rehab and talking to someone about whats going on inside your head. No fouls, if anyting, extra bonus points for being pro-active to your number one fan: yourself.

I will be following your steps soon, brother. I will be undergoing the urinary diversion surgery, it doesn't matter to me if my PSA continues to move up after SRT or not, like you, I have used my two curative cards. But I don't want to spend the rest of my life: day by day, week by week, month by month, stuck in a true purgatory of pain and suffering and having so many limitations. My goal: to have the surgery, to allow proper recover and adjustment to the new way of peeing, and then, enter oncology rehab here locally. If I need "head" help, I wouldn't hesitate, but right now, despite all my woes, I feel I still have it under control 99% of the time.

You are setting a good example to any brother that has been through step one and step two without sucess. Like I said, I am following your lead in a sense, tired of being a victim and a perpetual patient. If I have only a few good years left, then I want them to be good years for me, my wife, and my kids/grandkids.

From the bottom of my heart, brother, I wish nothing but good things in your path ahead. We can support each other in this quest and direction in our journeys. The rest of it: rising PSAs, HT or no HT, that's another subject for another time and place. Don't forget, I have met you and Lynn in person, you are not just some bunch of words on a page to me, I will testify to anyone here, especially our new friends that don't know you well, that Sonny is the real thing, and I will certify that to anyone first hand.

If you need anything from me, another phone call, another visit, you name it, and as I am able to and well enough to help you, as the younger ones say, I got your back brother.

I better stop too, seem to have something in my eye. Bless you brother, for now and what lies ahead, for both you, and your sweet wife.

David in SC

Sonny looks like you will be a possible guru on some of these subject matters before you know it, even by osmosis. When you are ready let it flow, you can teach an old dog new tricks, just have to slap his head to get his attention, perhaps. Since I haven't looked into alot of those intangibles and same for many others, you will be our news source if you wish to take the job. I promise I will show up on time and listen, probably need a dose of some of that anyway.

Sonny .bro just hang in there and remember there are alot of us guys out here rooting for you to win this PC battle .and are here if you need us

Thanks for the update and sharing your journey. You are an inspiration to all of us.

The out pouring of your support and friendship is never ending. Thank you all so much for your continued well wishes and blessings. I know that I am not alone in how much this forum means to me and you have all said it in your posts.

I have said repeatedly that this forum is not just about medical questions, facts, and alternatives. It is much more than that. It is a place of comfort we all come to from time to time when we need to recharge the batteries that allow us to continue down the paths that each of us are on.

Of all of the groups, organizations and associations I have been involved with in my life, this without doubt is the most meaningful and by far at the forefront of the list.

Thank you all,

Sonny

142, didn't really put it together about you and the CSN site. A few others I have brought over I recognized by screen name. Just didn't put your's together.

Anyway, sure glad you are here and thank you for all of the support you have brought here not only to me but others.

Sonny

Thanks David, and congratulations on your continued membership in the Zero club. May you have many more years of enjoyment in the club.

Sonny