YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Steve B and Sonya live in Washington, USA. He was 40 when he was diagnosed in October, 2008. His initial PSA was 41.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 8 and although it is not clear, it seems he was staged T4. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I have met with two oncologists. The first was all doom and gloom, gave me the option of hormone therapy [ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy)] and jumping right into chemotherapy to battle my cancer. The second oncologist was much more positive and took the time to walk my wife and I through the bone and CAT scans and gave us a more positive experience and outlook with a game plan of hormone therapy and Zometa.

The first doctor was very aggressive but not positive the second doctor very conservative but a lot more positive. I know that being comfortable with ones doctor does make a difference but not sure if we can afford to be conservative. How is a patient to know what is the best treatment to choose? The hardest thing with finding out that you have advanced prostate cancer besides sitting down with your 8 and 11 year old sons and telling them, is most definitely choosing your treatment. There is a lot of information out there, but nothing leads one to the correct decision for treatment.

I just turned 41 yesterday, yes I am 41 and my PSA was 41.

 

UPDATED

January 2009

 

 

After meeting with four oncologists, my wife and I decided on one out of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center run by Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle. I go in now for a monthly Lupron shot and blood test. I can only hope that I can do more than just push out the time that first Oncologist that I meet with gave me of 2 1/2 to 3 years. The last time I looked there wasn't an expiration date on the bottom of my foot.

Steve's e-mail address is: byorick@gmail.com