C.N. Powell and Rubye live in California, USA. He was 71 when he was diagnosed in 1991. We do not know what his initial diagnosis was, but here is his story:

Hello to all,

I am writing this story for my father as he is no longer able to. He and my mother have been living with my husband and I for 2 1/2 years. My parents were living in California when Dad was initially diagnosed; but a few years later they moved to San Antonio Texas and lived there until 2004. Consequently, I do not know the entire history of his disease, but I am very familiar with the last two years of it.

I do know that Dad was scheduled to have his prostate removed in 1991, but while on the operating table they discovered cancer in one of his lymph nodes, they stitched him up leaving the prostate intact. Thru the years he had hormone treatment, chemo for 18 months (4 years ago), and a "chemical castration."

My dad overcome a brain tumor 2 years ago (treated by Gamma-Knife) and a brain shunt this past January. The doctors thought Dad had dementia, but once the tumor was treated, Dad was fine! The Gamma-Knife almost killed him, but he rebounded and had a great 9 months until last spring when his PSA started rising dramatically.

After a couple of tests we were told that he now had metastatic prostate cancer of the bone (hip, ribs, shoulder, lower spine). The Oncologist put Dad on a couple of medications to lower his PSA (one was Nizoral) but it made him so sick he ended up in the hospital for several weeks this past May.

He now has congestive heart failure (he had a heart attack 4 years ago and has a pace maker) which he has to take Lasix for twice daily. He recently got out of the hospital for pneumonia. Thank God for Levaquin!

About six weeks ago he was taken to the ER because he had a lot of blood in his urine. The urologist ordered a CAT SCAN and told us that Dad's prostate cancer has infiltrated the bladder wall and this is the source of the blood. Because of Dad's weakened condition, the urologist will not operate. I was told to expect the bleeding off and on; and I was asked if the hospital should give a blood transfusion if necessary. Do they expect me to let my dad bleed to death?! Of course I told them to do whatever is necessary within reason (no life support).

My dad has placed his care in my hands. It is a heavy responsibility and one I take very seriously. My dad is my hero and there is nothing I would not do for him. Needless to say, I am very concerned for him, especially since it seems he no longer has any treatment options. Recently he has begun to make frequent "sounds of distress." I can only describe them as a combination of a sign and a groan. My dad swears he is not in any pain, but only that he is "uncomfortable." He has difficulty describing what he is feeling, but he really does not seem to be in any great pain. I give him tylenol and this seems to be sufficient.

I am always surfing the WWW searching for something that will help him. I have him on Shark Cartilage and pomegranate juice. I am considering adding Lemon grass and Vitamin D3. Is there anyone else that uses homeopathic options?

Dad's PSA has gone from 36 (in February) to 146 (last month). Does anyone have any suggestions for treatment? If not treatment, anything I can do palliatively? Honestly, any suggestion at all, no matter how seemingly small would be appreciated!

God bless all of you who are fighting this horrible disease.

Sincerely,

Sharon Hunt

Sharon's e-mail address is: theorchardhouse@verizon.net