Wednesday 6/1:
Yesterday I received my third chemotherapy treatment, followed by a great overnight visit with Linda and Chris at their home. Today, Carter’s acupuncture treatment was delicious. I feel slow, good and quite relaxed!
It has now been 7 weeks since my actual diagnosis – one that has turned my life upside down! In this post, I will try to articulate important points that I’ve learned or relearned as my journey progresses. If any of my expert readers find an error, please help by informing me, as it may aid with a more accurate outlook.
What I think I know:
1.) My metastatic prostate cancer IS a very serious illness, for which medicine does NOT have a cure. Despite its early detection, only 2% of all prostate cancers initially present themselves in the liver.
2.) This cancer developed in my body simply because of bad luck. It is unique to me. There are standards of care, but what might seem to work for others, might not for me. Treatment will require an individualized approach.
3.) My doctors are very hesitant with my prognosis. The more I learn about this, the more I respect their position. One reason might be that, since research is progressing so rapidly, there is no long-term patient data on results new treatments.
4.) The big reason why there is no cure for metastatic prostate cancer is that the tumor cells so effectively mutant thus avoiding treatments. Science has not solved this problem yet. There seems to be hope with recent advances in immunotherapy. Also targeted genetic therapies have promise but presently they are only mono therapies. To me this means, I will live with this cancer for the rest of my life. I will be, however, in a waiting game (comfortable and secure I trust) as science progresses.
5.) My Prostrate-Specific Antigen (PSA) readings are the key indicator of how my cancer is reacting to the current treatment (18-week regiment of hormone therapy and chemotherapy). To this point, my PSA readings have dropped significantly (see below) – an 89% decrease followed by another 57% decrease. WOW!
6.) Based on this very important PSA data, my doctors have 2 major recommendations:
- Stay the course in all respects. To me, this means continue: the exact same androgen suppression drug, the same chemotherapy drugs, diet changes, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, exercise, rest, research, positive, honest outlook and support systems, all with Laurie at my side. As my brother Rich would say: “Why change a winning game?”
- Image the metastatic tumors at end of the treatment regiment (mid-August)
7.) I am able to tolerate side effects of these harsh drugs very well. Moreover, I able to maintain an exercise rich, extroverted, joyful lifestyle that has been mine for almost 60 years. Talk about thankful and grateful! Consider Dr. Chris’ comment this morning: ” Mike, from these blood test results, I cannot believe you are on chemotherapy!”
|
Date |
4/15/16 | 5/10/16 | 5/31/16 | |
| PSA TOTAL MONITORING | 70.72 | 7.76 | 3.37 |
Harry; as usual, thanks for the brutally honest, poetic, simply stated, on point (numbered I might add) perceived outcomes. Seems fairly clear to me. You Got a “Really Bad Break” in this form/type of cancer. You’ve even got the experts scratching their heads. That’s a bit unsettling.
Ok; so What. You’ve been challenged before & overcome some pretty awful Bad Breaks in the past. This makes me think you’re ripe for this present quest.
I can remember :
* At the ripe age of 15, you had to figure out how to father a family of 7, which unfortunately included mom. I suspect the Vegas betting odds were fairly long on that one. But from my perspective you scrambled heartedly and in the process hit several Home Runs… Not too shabby for a scrawny Jersey Boy!
* Concurrently, senior yr in HS after a budding 3 year training period and as the “Heir Apparent Starting Point Guard” for St. Mary’s, you got unjustly benched… Ok, not the finale you anticipated. So you tell the coach “see ya”, for it inspired an unheralded tennis performance that led to the UofD. It also humbled & enabled you to lead a not so talented skins team to greater heights @ Spencer Butt middle school open gym nite many years later! A dynasty in my mind.
I could go on, but suffice to say, in my 57+ yrs there’s not many challenges that I’ve seen you walked or run away from, which you’ve decided to take on. So hang in there Bro. Remember the expects don’t really know as much as they think they know. I’ll take Grit, Determination & Scrappiness over Luck and Good Fortune any Day.
So Remember, these are our Bonus Years. Enjoy the Journey, Revel in your yet-to-be accomplishments, and “Always Keep Swinging for the Fences…..”
As I read your blog today, a million thoughts flooded my head. Too many to keep in check. When I got to #6, even before reading the bullets, I thought of those happy and reassuring words of Rich’s in my head. I’ve lived by those words for many years now…..”Why change a winning game.”
What an amazing amount of positive thoughts surround you and Laurie….a tribute to both of you, independently and together.
When I read Rich’s response to your blog about “Always keep swinging for the Fences” reminded me of all the times you would tell me….”Wait for it, Wait for it.” I don’t think I ever did, and always pulled that hit into left field, always having that fence in my eyesight…….keep it in yours.
Stay determined my friend with the same adventurous spirit that surrounds you daily.
El viaje vedaderamente notable es el plazo de,
Lana
Hi Mike, I JUST got your website from Patti after her telling me a few weeks ago about your challenge. It’s really late and I only read about half of it, but man, am I impressed! Will write more soon, but just know I am on your team rooting, supporting, and sending love to your wonderful self who has always lived large. Keep up the good work!