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.

 

UPDATED

June 2008

 

 

My ultrasensitive PSA is now .01 or .02, Depending on Labcorps two different testing they have now. Had my second six month Eligard shot in March 08. Going for my second appointment with Dr. Myers at the end of June. Have been very strict with my diet and supplements advised by Dr. Myers. He put me on 150 mgs. of Casodex from 50 mgs trying to get my psa > .01. It is not there yet but close.

My vitamin D level was way low but now is what he wants. Just hope my next PSA will be less than .01, so I can go on the growth arrest program in October. Getting temporary disability from the Veterans Administration for exposure to Agent Orange will serving in Vietnam. They said they will re-evaluate my disability when I go on growth arrest program. The compensation has been a godsend in being able to travel to Virginia to see Dr. Myers. I will update if any changes come up.

John

 

UPDATED

July 2008

 

 

Just a quick update , had a good visit with Dr. Myers and psa is < .01 finally. He is taking me off in October one year from starting. He said I have reached the benchmarks for survival. Will be just taking Avodart after October.

Peace,

John.

 

UPDATED

December 2008

 

 

Stopped the hormonal treatment on Oct. 01, now just taking Avodart plus supplements and diet from Dr. Myers. Psa still <.01 month to month. Just trying to get motivated to start building my muscles back with loss of the testosterone. Still able to work labor intensive job though which is good.

Right now am sick with cold and sinus infection. Have not had any sickness in two years and now this makes me wonder. I had a flu shot for the first time from the VA and then I get sick. I just need to turn down free shots from now on.

Life is good otherwise. My father passed at end of July at age of 97, starting to get better with the grieving. Sure miss him though especially around the holidays. With his good genes and Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myers maybe I can live as long as him after all.

Peace,

John.

 

UPDATED

May 2009

 

 

Went to my Dr. Myers in January and with PSA still <.01 he was very pleased and the next six months are critical.

So bam February PSA .03; March PSA .05; April PSA .04. So I am not in remission after all as my testosterone comes back. Dr. putting me on Celebrex in hopes of suppressing these random cancer cells.

Now hope May brings spring flowers and a lower PSA.

Peace, John

 

UPDATED

July 2009

 

 

Well just visited Dr. Myers for my six month check up.

My PSA has risen to 0.1 from 0.07 last month. Dr. Myers does not know how aggressively he wants to treat this at this point. He put me on bio-curcumin supplement along with the Celebrex hoping to get some other variant cancer cells.

I worry each month now with my PSA test, where just a few months ago I looked forward when it came back <.01. I feel I will go back on the shot if the PSA keeps rising. Dr. Myers said I did not need to come back for a year now. This worries me - does he think my condition it not going to improve or he just wants to vacation in January like he used to before he had so many patients. I think the latter make more sense.

Have gained weight since off the hormonal treatments where others gained weight while on it. I need to exercise more than just my daily walks. My health spa Bally's shut down so it's either find another gym or do it on my own. Kinda got off my diet and raised my portion sizes so that's a problem.

Well playing more golf and enjoying life which is what is important.

Peace .

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