Julian
Spain and Vicki live in Okinawa, Japan. He was 57 when he was diagnosed on May
31, 2006. His PSA was 70 ng/ml, his Gleason Grade 10 and he was staged T3. His
initial choice of treatment was Androgen Deprivation Therapy (Hormonal Treatment).
Here is his story:
The
cancer has moved into my hip. Inoperable...I'm panicked. Started Casodex 2 days
ago...will have the Lupron injection on Thursday.
Can
anyone provide direction and support. What type of diet or exercise program should
I start to reduce or diminish the effects of the hormone therapy
Respectfully
J.
Spain
Thanks
to all that have written and provided support and advice.
After
my initial diagnosis at Lester Military Hospital in Okinawa, Japan, I went for
a second and third opinion in North Carolina.
The
Carolina Cancer Center of Charlotte, NC and Duke Urologists of Raleigh agreed
that my Gleason was 4+4 not 10 and that the PCa was T4 not T3. My oncologist started
me on one week of Casodex to reduce the testosterone flare that I would get with
my Lupron shot. On July 6th I got my first Lupron shot and have been receiving
them every three months. I also received a Zometa IV (biphosphate) every month
for six months to aid in repairing the mets in my pelvis.
After
a week the pain in my pelvis had stopped and my PSA had dropped from a high of
70 ng/ml to 19 ng/ml. I returned to Okinawa in August where I continued my Lupron
& Zometa. After six months my PSA has fallen to <0.05 ng/ml and is holding as
of this writing. The hot flashes still come every 30 minutes but I'm taking Effexor
(antidepressant) which as diminished their intensity and stopped the emotional
roller-coaster caused by having no measurable testosterone.
Beginning
Jan. 07 I will begin having the Lupron shots and Zometa IV every three months.
The Zometa will delay the onset of osteoporosis.
Thanks
again for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks
again to all for the notes and well wishes.
After
18 months on Lupron & Zometa my PSA went from undetectable to 0.045. Still very
low but we're waiting to see if it stays before trying an "off-period" or if it
is rising we will add Casodex.
Julian
A. Spain.
3
years from diagnosis and all seems to be going well. PSA went from <0.05 to 0.45
in Feb'08, 0.04 in Apr'08 and is still <0.01 as of July. Oncologist is pleased
but he is not on Lupron. ;-)
Happy
and healthy as can be expected we are traveling in Ireland and Spain.
Life
is good.
Julian's
e-mail address is: jspain@sunny-net.ne.jp
