INCURABLE IS A DIRTY WORD

Hello Woody,

Sounds like you've got a plan of action, looking ahead. You've got your head in the game --- you're facing forward --- forming a bond with your doctor --- and taking a proactive stance in your future treatment planning.

Yes, INCURABLE --- it's hard for any of us to completely wrap our minds around the word.

After my initial diagnosis, I soon learned the POWERFUL difference in meaning between the concept of treatment vs. cure. I now am LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST because of TREATMENTS. While I'm not being cured, I AM being TREATED ... and that's the name of the game for many of us here ... available TREATMENTS. While there have been some setbacks along the way in my case, I've also had some meaningful successes because of new treatments. I'm thankful for that ... thankful for the treatments that have emerged over time ...

Part of my perspective comes from the fact that I represent the third generation of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in my family --- my grandfather, my father, and now me. When I was growing up, my grandfather was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer --- there were NO treatments offered to him back in that time period --- no hormone shots, no radiation treatments, no chemotherapy treatments, no bottles of XTANDI or ZYTIGA --- these options simply didn't exist for him. I'm mindful of the treatments that now exist for me that didn't exist 40 years ago to help my grandfather, when I was growing up. So, I have a sense of gratitude for the treatment options that exist today ... and the promise that exists for emerging treatments to follow ...

For those of us with advanced cases, we are encouraged by the recent approvals of breakthrough medications for prostate cancer patients in the past decade, yet we wait with expectation for more advancements for all of our fellow battle brothers who need additional treatment options that aren't available yet ...

Early in the game, a good friend of mine said to me one day, "Wow --- you have cancer, I realize --- but you are finding a way to LIVE with cancer." I think that's the ultimate goal for anyone facing a diagnosis ... finding your path ... doing all you can do to pursue treatments, as best you can ... and learning to LIVE LIFE, despite a cancer diagnosis.

So --- a cure in my case might be elusive, unrealistic --- frankly, I'm not living my life based on that thought --- I'm living my life based on today's possibilities, current treatments --- and the expectation that further breakthroughs will emerge in the future --- if not for me, then for the next fellow diagnosed in the future. Meanwhile, I am thankful for the day I was given today, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow ...

Woody, your message carried a powerful feeling that shows you are LIVING LIFE --- staying positive, facing forward, and keeping your head in the game. Meanwhile, for your golf game, keep striving for that HOLE IN ONE and keep livin' the dream each day.

Sent with my best to you, Woody !
Iowa State "Cyclone"

You can't do better than Oliver Sartor, imho. Some guys do well just taking hormone therapy intermittently. I agree with PDA that labeling it as a long-term managed disease is a preferable way to think of it.

- Allen

Woody
My case is like yours. I suggest you call Dr Dattoli in Sarasota for a free phone consult. He treats mets not previously radiated.
Bob

With PC, the level of dirty is inversely related to your age and directly related to your gleason score. An 80 year old guy just diagnosed with gleason 6 might view incurable different than a 45 year old g9.

I especially appreciate that our PCa community here has room for the different perspectives in this thread. And a good part of that is to the credit of the moderators. Thank you -

Wilderness.

Woody,

Thank you, for your mutual respect. That is how it should be here. We have to be our own best "advocate". Each person's life is their own business, and theirs alone. And this includes medical decisions we each have to make along our unique PC paths.

PSA velocity has always been my real enemy from the time I was first diagnosed. While I don't have my bags packed or my ticket bought yet, so to speak, when its my time, I am ready to go, and not afraid to leave. We all have a departure date from this world, we simply don't know when it will be. To me, its not worthy fretting or worrying about. For those here that have known me a long time, they know that "worry" is not in my vocabulary. There's a huge difference between intelligent concern, and needless, non productive worry. Worry will take one to the grave as quick as anything else.

Good luck in your path and journey. I wish you only the best ahead.