YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

John Lerch and Nancy live in Ohio, USA. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on September 29,2006. His initial PSA was 1.4 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 8. He does not know his staging. His choice of treatment was Radical Prostectomy. Here is his story:

I had the surgery on March 15, 2007 and cancer was Gleason 9 and found in tissue outside prostate. I am now now starting radiation - even tough and I have many concerns but I guess we still have to have trust in something that might work.

I hope to ask the doctor about androgen deprivation therapy along with the radiation. The doctors say my cancer is so aggressive my survival rate probably won't be increased with my futher treatment. That is really comforting.

UPDATED

August 2007

 

 

I just finished thirty four treatment of IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). I guess it's just a shot in the dark that it will help but I had to try something. I hope the radiation doesn't make things worse, if that is even possible.

I'm definitely going to change doctors when my PSA is taken in six weeks. even if the PSA is at the good number I need more support than I am getting from the urologist and oncologists I have now. Most people on line tell me I should be on ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) but my doctors say just wait till the numbers come back. Since my doctors tell me what I'm doing will not help with my survival , I just don't have any confidence with them.

I hope my change in diet and supplements will help with my survival. I have to be positive!!!!!

 

UPDATED

November 2007

 

 

My PSA rose after radiation so now on to hormonal treatment.

My urologist just uses Eligard nothing else, so finally talked him into getting Casodex but I got it a week after starting Eligard injection.

I have an appointment in January with Dr. Myers hope to get ADT3 with him and much better care than I am getting now.

I get a PSA test around Christmas so hope I get a good present then!

 

UPDATED

January 2008

 

 

Visited Dr. Charles Myers in Virginia on January 3, 2008 for a consultation. Finally got my triple blockage ADT3. It feels comforting to know I have a doctor who is really interested in helping with my survival. I have a good plan with supplements , diet, and medications.

I return to Virginia in July for my follow-up and then once a year. I probably will only be on ADT3 for a year and then just maintenance after that. I really have not had too bad side effects from the hormone treatment. Just need to exercise more and get off the couch.

I will update later when I get new PSA readings.

John's e-mail address is: john-lerch@sbcglobal.net