Help

I was diagnosed with stage T3c prostate cancer seven months ago, after DRE found a nodule and a lab found a PSA blood level of 185 (anything above 4 is dangerous or at least a red flag).

I am classified as "locally advanced" as opposed to "distantly advanced" because the cancer has not been detected in my bones or organs, but was found outside of the prosate capsule in my seminal vessicles and there was evidence of close-by lymphovascular invasion.  The extremely high PSA along with the seminal vessicle invasion are considered markers that indicate the probability of micrometastisis which, if it did in fact occur, essentially dooms me to being killed by this mindless predator.

My possible surgeon has told me in writing that I am 'unlikely to be cured of the cancer with any modality."  Also, I am still obese.  Though I went down from 290 lbs to 240 lbs since diagnosis, that is still a matter of concern in terms of my potentially dying on the operating table or, if that doesn't happen, having serious post-operative complications.

He is not sure he will do the surgery for me.  First he said he had to be sure I was physically up to the surgery.  After I had heart tests and stress tests and blood tests, etc., he said he still feels it is very risky.  My next hoop to jump through is to see a psychiatrist who will decide whether I am competent to choose a surgery that has, at least at my current weight level, a greater chance of killing me than curing me.

But apparently surgery is the only thing that might cure me.  The othe "modalities" don't even offer the ten percent chance surgery does.

I have two diseases.  The cancer.  And the cancer treatment.  It is a shot I get every three months, and it cripples me inside.  My life is a desert without love now.  It takes away my testosterone, because that feeds prostate cancer cells.  So now I am totally impotent and almost entirely without desire.  Also, my capacity to experience pleasure is nearing zero (my testosterone was at 30 nanograms per deciliter last check and is still falling).  So my heart is broken.  I'm a very romantic and sexual person.  Or rather I was.  Now I don't even feel like a person, but like a thing.

So I need help and advice for both my diseases.  For my prostatge cancer, stage T3c, most Gleason scores and grades at 8.  Any cures?  Any potential cures or clinical trials? 

And also anything that might increase my desire or my ability to feel pleasure (it would be too much to ask for poetency, I'm sure).  It is strange, I have little and most of the time no desire, but I have great desire to have desire.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, but your cancer has reached the stage that a cure is highly improbable. The best course of action is control of the cancer, and it can be controlled for many years. I would see a good oncologist, because surgery will not help at this time and just give more side affects. A good oncologist may be able to adjuct the HT treatments or give you different drugs to help the side affects you are feeling.

Good luck

JohnT

My husband has stage 4 prostate cancer, with met in the bones and lymph nodes.  He was on the hormone therapy and is now off for the time being.  (clinical trial).  He lost his sexual interest with the hormone therapy and has yet to get it back, after being off the therapy for over 7 months.  He is using natural remedies to keep the cancer in check, mostly Bill Henderson's protocol, red clover and zeolite ( thanks to our good friend Ray).

   In the whole scheme of the cancer deal, he and I are both willing to forgoe the sex, if it means he is alive and may have a chance for a future. 

  Sorry I don't have the miracle.  If I did, I'd sell it!!

Do NOT give up.  There are other options out there.  Keep reading this message board.  It has been a huge help to me, especially Ray!

 

On 7/15/2009 PoetWithCancer wrote:

I was diagnosed with stage T3c prostate cancer seven months ago, after DRE found a nodule and a lab found a PSA blood level of 185 (anything above 4 is dangerous or at least a red flag).

I am classified as "locally advanced" as opposed to "distantly advanced" because the cancer has not been detected in my bones or organs, but was found outside of the prosate capsule in my seminal vessicles and there was evidence of close-by lymphovascular invasion.  The extremely high PSA along with the seminal vessicle invasion are considered markers that indicate the probability of micrometastisis which, if it did in fact occur, essentially dooms me to being killed by this mindless predator.

My possible surgeon has told me in writing that I am 'unlikely to be cured of the cancer with any modality."  Also, I am still obese.  Though I went down from 290 lbs to 240 lbs since diagnosis, that is still a matter of concern in terms of my potentially dying on the operating table or, if that doesn't happen, having serious post-operative complications.

He is not sure he will do the surgery for me.  First he said he had to be sure I was physically up to the surgery.  After I had heart tests and stress tests and blood tests, etc., he said he still feels it is very risky.  My next hoop to jump through is to see a psychiatrist who will decide whether I am competent to choose a surgery that has, at least at my current weight level, a greater chance of killing me than curing me.

But apparently surgery is the only thing that might cure me.  The othe "modalities" don't even offer the ten percent chance surgery does.

I have two diseases.  The cancer.  And the cancer treatment.  It is a shot I get every three months, and it cripples me inside.  My life is a desert without love now.  It takes away my testosterone, because that feeds prostate cancer cells.  So now I am totally impotent and almost entirely without desire.  Also, my capacity to experience pleasure is nearing zero (my testosterone was at 30 nanograms per deciliter last check and is still falling).  So my heart is broken.  I'm a very romantic and sexual person.  Or rather I was.  Now I don't even feel like a person, but like a thing.

So I need help and advice for both my diseases.  For my prostatge cancer, stage T3c, most Gleason scores and grades at 8.  Any cures?  Any potential cures or clinical trials? 

And also anything that might increase my desire or my ability to feel pleasure (it would be too much to ask for poetency, I'm sure).  It is strange, I have little and most of the time no desire, but I have great desire to have desire.

Thank you.

I have locally advanced prostate cancer and I treat it with holistic medicine. It has been successful for 3 years. It is now time for you to think outside the box. If you would like more information please visit my web site at

www.alternativeprostatecancer.com

Dan

Poet,

Please keep your chin up. Its not easy to be suddendly hit with the cancer train. Do look at changing your diet and it wouldn't hurt to get some counseling.

As to primary treatments, with lymph node involvement, there is likely no cure. Worse yet, I don't believe insurance would cover any of the primary treatments in such cases. However, do see a prostate cancer oncologist for further information. There are many trials going on for promising treatments that perhaps one of which,you can participate.

The bottom line is as time goes on, some of the qualities of life that were important become less impotant if we look at the full picture. And that full picture is living a life and dealing with the advereries that threaten us. its not easy; its never easy but its a challenge that keeps us going.

Joe

Poet,

 One other thing---If you did not have evidence of lymph node involvement surgery would NOT be the best treatment....radiation would. The cancer outside the prostate, (seminal vesicles,etc) would not be corrected with surgery but radiation can reach those areas. 

These websites are the best for understanding Prostate Cancer & getting the information, help & support you need. Please check them out. You are not alone & there is a lot that can be done. These have top the top notch Docs and Patients that will help you through this physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Also have recent information on clinical trials et. Take time to check it out. Best of luck, life, love. Sherry

http://www.prostatepointers.org/

http://www.ustoo.org/Prostate_Pointers.asp

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/aboutus/contact.html

 

On 7/15/2009 PoetWithCancer wrote:

I was diagnosed with stage T3c prostate cancer seven months ago, after DRE found a nodule and a lab found a PSA blood level of 185 (anything above 4 is dangerous or at least a red flag).

I am classified as "locally advanced" as opposed to "distantly advanced" because the cancer has not been detected in my bones or organs, but was found outside of the prosate capsule in my seminal vessicles and there was evidence of close-by lymphovascular invasion.  The extremely high PSA along with the seminal vessicle invasion are considered markers that indicate the probability of micrometastisis which, if it did in fact occur, essentially dooms me to being killed by this mindless predator.

My possible surgeon has told me in writing that I am 'unlikely to be cured of the cancer with any modality."  Also, I am still obese.  Though I went down from 290 lbs to 240 lbs since diagnosis, that is still a matter of concern in terms of my potentially dying on the operating table or, if that doesn't happen, having serious post-operative complications.

He is not sure he will do the surgery for me.  First he said he had to be sure I was physically up to the surgery.  After I had heart tests and stress tests and blood tests, etc., he said he still feels it is very risky.  My next hoop to jump through is to see a psychiatrist who will decide whether I am competent to choose a surgery that has, at least at my current weight level, a greater chance of killing me than curing me.

But apparently surgery is the only thing that might cure me.  The othe "modalities" don't even offer the ten percent chance surgery does.

I have two diseases.  The cancer.  And the cancer treatment.  It is a shot I get every three months, and it cripples me inside.  My life is a desert without love now.  It takes away my testosterone, because that feeds prostate cancer cells.  So now I am totally impotent and almost entirely without desire.  Also, my capacity to experience pleasure is nearing zero (my testosterone was at 30 nanograms per deciliter last check and is still falling).  So my heart is broken.  I'm a very romantic and sexual person.  Or rather I was.  Now I don't even feel like a person, but like a thing.

So I need help and advice for both my diseases.  For my prostatge cancer, stage T3c, most Gleason scores and grades at 8.  Any cures?  Any potential cures or clinical trials? 

And also anything that might increase my desire or my ability to feel pleasure (it would be too much to ask for poetency, I'm sure).  It is strange, I have little and most of the time no desire, but I have great desire to have desire.

Thank you.

 

Hi PoetWithCancer Im 57. I live in Austraila. I weigh over 140kilos (300lbs ) I have advance prostate cancer since 2007. Gleasion score of 8 in 2007 I use to have bone mets but in 2008 a bone scan  found I had no prostrate cacer bone mets any more  and like Cancer Compass member skidan. I use holistic alterative treatment to fight my cancer. Over the last 9 month.  my PSA has droped from a PSA of  13.8 to  a PSA of 8.2 and my free psa was 4 and is now 8 Im drue for another test in Aug. I ust to have urine retenion I dont have it any more. and I feel grate if you want to know about it. let me know and I post you it to you, on cancer compass in  a private post  it realy works well cheers Ray

 

On 7/17/2009 jcr65566 wrote:

 

On 7/15/2009 PoetWithCancer wrote:

I was diagnosed with stage T3c prostate cancer seven months ago, after DRE found a nodule and a lab found a PSA blood level of 185 (anything above 4 is dangerous or at least a red flag).

I am classified as "locally advanced" as opposed to "distantly advanced" because the cancer has not been detected in my bones or organs, but was found outside of the prosate capsule in my seminal vessicles and there was evidence of close-by lymphovascular invasion.  The extremely high PSA along with the seminal vessicle invasion are considered markers that indicate the probability of micrometastisis which, if it did in fact occur, essentially dooms me to being killed by this mindless predator.

My possible surgeon has told me in writing that I am 'unlikely to be cured of the cancer with any modality."  Also, I am still obese.  Though I went down from 290 lbs to 240 lbs since diagnosis, that is still a matter of concern in terms of my potentially dying on the operating table or, if that doesn't happen, having serious post-operative complications.

He is not sure he will do the surgery for me.  First he said he had to be sure I was physically up to the surgery.  After I had heart tests and stress tests and blood tests, etc., he said he still feels it is very risky.  My next hoop to jump through is to see a psychiatrist who will decide whether I am competent to choose a surgery that has, at least at my current weight level, a greater chance of killing me than curing me.

But apparently surgery is the only thing that might cure me.  The othe "modalities" don't even offer the ten percent chance surgery does.

I have two diseases.  The cancer.  And the cancer treatment.  It is a shot I get every three months, and it cripples me inside.  My life is a desert without love now.  It takes away my testosterone, because that feeds prostate cancer cells.  So now I am totally impotent and almost entirely without desire.  Also, my capacity to experience pleasure is nearing zero (my testosterone was at 30 nanograms per deciliter last check and is still falling).  So my heart is broken.  I'm a very romantic and sexual person.  Or rather I was.  Now I don't even feel like a person, but like a thing.

So I need help and advice for both my diseases.  For my prostatge cancer, stage T3c, most Gleason scores and grades at 8.  Any cures?  Any potential cures or clinical trials? 

And also anything that might increase my desire or my ability to feel pleasure (it would be too much to ask for poetency, I'm sure).  It is strange, I have little and most of the time no desire, but I have great desire to have desire.

Thank you.

 

Hi PoetWithCancer Im 57. I live in Austraila. I weigh over 140kilos (300lbs ) I have advance prostate cancer since 2007. Gleasion score of 8 in 2007 I use to have bone mets but in 2008 a bone scan  found I had no prostrate cacer bone mets any more  and like Cancer Compass member skidan. I use holistic alterative treatment to fight my cancer. Over the last 9 month.  my PSA has droped from a PSA of  13.8 to  a PSA of 8.2 and my free psa was 4 and is now 8 Im drue for another test in Aug. I ust to have urine retenion I dont have it any more. and I feel grate if you want to know about it. let me know and I post you it to you, on cancer compass in  a private post  it realy works well cheers Ray

Dear Ray,

Yes, please, anything you think might help.

I am very, very depressed and afraid and anxious about the cancer and the kind of death, at this point, it is likely to bring to me.  But the worst thing is the treatment.  The good part is that it has brought my PSA down from 185 to 1,5 in six and a half months (I've had three shots) but the price is that my maleness has been stolen.  I'm crippled inside.  I continue to live mostly from fear of death.  I was married for seven years and I have had several girl friends and maybe a dozen brief affairs.  I love women and romance and sex.  Now I can't even have solitary pleasure more than once every few weeks, and then it is next to nothing.  And my testosterone level is still falling.

Recently, I was kicked out of my Cancer Support Group by the facilitator and it has devastated what was left of my love of life.  I'm not a bad man.  I'm non-violent and I try to be accomodationg.  But the facilitator does not want to deal with someone as unhappy as I am.  So now, I'm even more unhappy.

Someone who saw my posts is sending  me a book I hope will help.  If the alternatiive way does not help me, I will soon have to undergo either radiation therapy, which causes cardiovascular toxiciy and is likely to cause premature atherosclerosis, and only postpones cancer death; or surgery, which is going to have nasty side effects and probably won't save me anyway--although it has a slight chance of curing me.  With both these modalities, I am told I need to continue the hormone repression therapy for a few years if not indefinitely.

So I'm hoping for help for my cancer.  Also help for my lost ability to enjoy love and pleasure.  And help for my depression, sorrow, grief, anxiety, and fear.  Anything that you or anyone can tell me or point me to, will be appreciated.

I'm not certain, but I think that the hormonal disturbance caused by my treatment has magnified my depression.  It's hard to say, really.  I never had such terrible things happening to me all at once before, so maybe they are enough of a cause.  All I know is, hell couldn't be much more miserable than this life I'm enduring now. 

--PWC

 

Joe;

Can you expain about the lymph nodes part?  My husband has stage 4 prostate - in the bones and lymph nodes.

Thanks!