YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

 

SILVER

John Farrow and Sandy live in Queensland, Australia. He was 62 when he was diagnosed on 14 May, 2002. His initial PSA was 5.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 4+4=8 and although he does not know his staging it seems likely that he was staged T3. His choice of treatment was Hormone - ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) and Radiation - EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy).

After undergoing a biopsy, I was diagnosed with inoperable Prostate Cancer. For five years prior to the diagnosis, I had 6 monthly PSA and digital inspections, my PSA was 5.0 and has never been higher. other than after a TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate), when it went up to 7.0.

At the first digital inspection, there were lumps in my prostate, but I was told by my MD that they were caused by age. It was only on my request that I was sent for a biopsy. Eight specimens were taken and they all came back positive.

My Gleason score was 4+4=8 and the cancer had moved outside the Prostate. I was told by the urologist that I had a very aggressive cancer. The only options I was given, was hormone treatment and radiation. I was on Lucrin (aka Lupron) for 6 months then received 36 radiation treatments. The radiation damaged my bowel and anus also I am Impotent and have ED.

I was having tri-monthly Lucrin injections for about five years, then my PSA started to rise again to 5, I was informed that my cancer was in the advanced stage and I was prescribed Casodex.

I have been passing quite a lot of blood in my urine for the past 2 years, but after 2 exploratory operations which failed to stop the bleeding, I was told I had to live with it, as they couldn't find the source of the bleeding.

Last month (October) my PSA started to rise again and I was advised to see a Medical Oncologist regarding the advances in Chemo for the problem. The oncologist did not recommend that I be treated by chemo, but suggested that I go on a Trial, being run by Cougar Biotechnologies, who are testing the drug, Abiraterone Acetate plus Prednisone (CB7630). I have agreed to take place in this trial, but there is a 50% chance that I will be administered a placebo, as it is a randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study, which of course means that if I get the Placebo, I will not be receiving any medication for the length of the trail. except my Lucrin injections (choices, choices).

The cancer has now moved into a 2.5cm lymph node in my abdomen, so it is spreading. I am now in the lap of the Gods, wish me luck!

 

UPDATED

February 2010

 

 

Since October 2009, I have finally got the medication for the above mentioned Trial, today 5 February 2010.

Over the last 3 months, I have absorbed more radiation than Hiroshima, enough blood taken to feed Dracula for a year and travelled who knows how many Kms to and from the Hospital for tests. Lets hope that it was all worth it. I will start taking the horse tablets (they are huge) tomorrow, 4 X 250MG tablets on an empty stomach = 1000MG, then wait for an hour before eating, plus one 5MG Prednisolone with food twice a day.

If I survive the first day and don't choke to death on the tablets, I will keep you all informed on my progress whilst on the Trial.

Later: Well, I received very good news this morning, 19 February, regarding my PSA: in two weeks, since I started the Trial, it dropped from 5.8 to 3.8, so I hope that means that I am taking the actual drug and not the placebo. No side effects from the drug, so far. The only side effects that I have added to my list, are from the Prednisone. Hopefully It will still continue to drop at my next appointment on 3 March, when I have my next round of blood tests.

 

UPDATED

March 2010

 

 

Another day of good news, 3 Mar 2010. My PSA has dropped again from 3.8 two weeks ago, to 2.6, My blood Pressure has gone from a little low, to back to normal, (eating bananas for Potassium). Only four weeks into Trial and so far no known side effects. Looking good so far. Next set of blood test on 18 March..

John's e-mail address is: johnfwf@hotmail.com