YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Jack Carden does not state where he lives but it seems to be in the USA [turns out it is Texas]. He was 65 when he was diagnosed on November 1, 2007. His initial PSA was 20.2 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T3 N1 M0. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I had physical exam on reaching age 65. my PSA came back 20.2 ng/ml. I gulped and asked what next? I was sent to urologist.

DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) was not good. I had a biopsy all cores positive from 20% to 80%. The urologist was vague about grade and staging but finally said T3N1M0.

I had CAT and bone scan - all negative. I was referred to a radiation oncologist. He wants to do radiation with two years Lupron. I am very interested in my short term quality of life. I am very sensitive to medication and would like to do just the radiation.

I am scheduled for January third and would really like some feed back on this. I am being treated for long term depression and the side effects of Lupron for two years sound like pouring gas on a fire. I also have COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). I've seen the test results on combined therapy and it seems that five year PSA rise is much better with both, but if I'm a wreck mentally and physically and the treatment fails any way I still have to do Lupron. I would sure like all the feed back I can get.

Thanks.

 

UPDATED

January 2008

 

 

I live in Abilene, Texas. After much study and input from Yana and other sources I have decided that the only course is combined hormone and radiation. My oncologist is going to start Lupron today, January 7 '07. I will take Lupron for six weeks then start 30 radiation treatments. He wants to continue the Lupron for two years. I still have many fears and reservations about Lupron.

Thanks for all the input. Yana has been a godsend. I hope I'll be able to report minimal side effects, but never the less I need to get a positive attitude about this.

I will keep this updated when I know more.

Thanks Jack Carden .

 

UPDATED

August 2008

 

 

After 28 radiation wide range and 14 involved-node radiotherapy (INRT) to prostate plus 6 months Lupron I have decided to stop the Lupron at 6 months. The side effects of both treatments were pretty hard but bearable.

I took my last Lupron in April. PSA at that time was <.01 I'm fully aware that that PSA doesn't mean very much when taking both treatments. I'm actually unsure when Ill really be able to trust the PSA. '

My next appointment with oncologist is in December. Unlike many of you I've not been able to put together a crack team of caring doctors. My radiation oncologist is my primary doctor. At this point there is no use to see my urologist [who I consider not very interested any way]. My reason for quitting the ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) are the side effects. Although not unbearable they are bad enough that I don't want to take them again until I have to. The hot flushes at night are the main reason, I have 3 or 4 each night and haven't had a good nights sleep in months. My body can't adjust to any heat or cold, I'm either to hot or cold.

My mental state, although not debilitating is bad enough. I have lost my drive to work or really to do much at all. I've also read the studies on the benefit of short term ADT with radiation and am willing to take the chance on having several years of treatment free life. Because of other health problems[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some heart valve problems] I would rather have a few good years now and be sick later. None of my other health problems are serious now but will get worse with time.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate Yana and all the help it has given me since diagnosed in October '07.

Thanks Terry for all you do.

Jack Carden Abilene Texas

 

UPDATED

November 2008

 

 

Hello all!

I got some great news today. I had my PSA done and it came back 0.01. I had my last 3 month Lupron shot in April, it should have lasted through July. Radiation ended in April also. I really don't know how to analyse this, I thought that with the Lupron gone my numbers would be higher with only the radiation working. I don't know if this should be my nadir of if my PSA will start slowly rising. All I know that this can't be bad.

I will see my radiation oncologist on Dec 4 and will know more then. I hope that the 6 months Lupron was a wise choice. I know that I don't want to take it again until I absolutely have to. Its been over 6 months and I'm still having a few hot flashes. I've gotten my energy back now if I can lose the 20 pounds I've put on every thing will be back to normal.

Thanks to all of you for the input. I wish good numbers to you all.

Later: Just talked to my rad. onc. He made a mistake or I heard him wrong. My PSA is 1.0 not .01 - still good but not as good as .01 We'll see

Jack Carden Abilene Texas. .

Jack's e-mail address is: jackcarden@suddenlink.net