Posted 3/30/2012 7:22 AM (GMT 0)
Update on my husband:
We did meet with Dr. Scholz a couple of weeks back. A very interesting, no nonsense, and to the point sort of doctor. We truly appreciated that.
When we met, almost within minutes, he stated "I really hope you aren't considering having this surgery." Needless to say, that was music to our ears.
We had been battling the whole surgery thing, not only because they were going to remove his bladder, but because we have read about so many other men with a much less aggressive cancer having surgery, then ending up have to get radiation anyway due to positive margins, etc. So our thinking was if surgery doesn't cure these men, and we already know the tumor is outside the capsule and involves the bladder, seminal vesicles, nerve bundles, and several lymph nodes, AND would prevent radiation in the future due to his intestines filling the cavity where the bladder once was... What's the point?
Dr. Scholz recommended additional cycles of chemo and adding Zytiga, along with consideration for radiation to preserve quality of life. He also agreed with our thought process and stated that we were correct that salvage surgery could follow radiation, but not the other way around.
MDA agreed with all points. However, they did talk my husband out of the additional rounds of chemo so he could begin consolidation, via radiation, immediately.
Additional rounds of chemo can be reserved for after radiation. That seems reasonable to us, and Dr. Scholz had even mentioned a "before or after" option.
They also suggested that we keep Zytiga in the arsenal for later use since his PSA is still at undetectable. We agreed with that as well.
So, next week they will implant the marker and a couple of weeks later, he will begin 40 rounds of radiation. First to lymph nodes (with the exception of one which he said would be too dangerous to pursue) and then to the bladder and prostate.
Dr. Scholz also recommended that a nodule spotted on his lung be further evaluated.
My husband was totally anti radiation from the very beginning due to some horror stories he read. He is now viewing it as the lesser of two evils.
Please keep him in thought, as we begin this new 12 week ordeal.
Thanks!
PS... One note of interest. Dr. Scholz mentioned that this was one of the most clear cut, slam dunk medical malpractice cases he has seen. We thought so from the beginning, but it is reassuring when a doctor is not afraid to speak those words. This doctor earned a whole lot of respect from us.
Husband DX @ 49 yr old - T4,n1,m1 (D2)
2006 - PSA 4.6 (Dr. never told us this!)
07/11 - PSA 57.0- DRE "Normal"(as per ^ doctor)
07/11 - BX -7 of 11 cores positive-80% - 4+3-7
08/04 - BS Clear
08/04 - MDA-Upgraded to G8
08/11 - LN, SV, & Bladder positive
08/12 - Degarelix & Casodex
08/25 - PSA 12.
09/08 -1st Lupron - PSA 2.1
10/11- PSA .71
11/11- PSA .44
12/11 -PSA .35
01/5/12 - Taxotere/Carboplatin & 2nd Lupron Injection - Completely re-imaged and Thorax CT added
1/26/12 - 2nd Round of Chemo
PSA - .1
03/12 - Dr. Scholz
PSA - .095
Surgery Cancelled
03/12 - Markers to be implanted
03/12 - To begin IMRT