New, but apparently known

OK, so I am new here, but apparently known thanks to TC from Vegas.

I'll try to stay in touch, post frequently, add my opinion, I do have one


Most of what I think, feel and go through on a daily basis can be found at my blog (available by reviewing my profile).
Some people find my blog a strange way to live through this, I don't give that much thought. I read early on that keeping
a journal was an important way to heal - I just happened to choose making my journal public.

So basically I'm just at 44 year old husband and father that for nearly three years has struggled with advanced PCa. I still cry, I'm still
scared, I'm still hopeful. Medication, diet and exercise won't do it alone, it takes faith, love and hope.....my mantra.

How long will this go on? As long as God thinks it should!

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Dx'd 2/18/05
PSA 219, bone mets, lymph node involvement
Gleason Score: 7
Current (11-17-07)
PSA: 23
Lupron, Keto, Avodart

www.flhw.org

   Hey ~   David & Loved One ,   A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!   Caring Enough to Share ….. that’s what   HealingWell    is all about   The Power of Hope click   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear     Susan *Myman brought your blog to our attention.   And it's neat to know that Tony has communicated with you too and now you're here with all of us!      It is heartwarming to see how you are truly moving forward with such a positive frame of mind…and sharing your journey is truly a gift you give to all of us.   We will keep you close in thoughts and prayers as you move forward in your fight.   It will be a fight but with “All of Us”…. walking * hand~in~hand and *heart~to~heart" * with you   ~   the road will be smoother.   “Your Journey” is a path filled with stepping-stones.   Please ~ stay close to us through every step and you will feel “All of Our” strength surrounding you and your family.   This forum is a true blessing for all of us.   Good, Bad, and/or Scary…. We are here for each other…. That’s what HealingWell is all about !! Stay close ~ okay!   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/Stepping-StonestoHealingWell.jpg   “God Bless” Tony & Susan for bringing you to us!!!!           and   “God Bless You”  It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way     * phrases borrowed from TimG *   Post edited to reset signature that didn't appear!! mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina   v           We invite you to visit our personal thread :   Click Here:   “Our Journey” ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 3rd PSA 08-07-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :) Post Edited (bluebird) : 11/19/2007 7:31:43 AM (GMT-7)

It's so good to have your "voice" here, David. I, too, found your blog some time ago and read through every thread. Also linked to it. Thanks for joining. Everyone here has so much to share and learn.

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Husband age 66

PSA on 5/1/06: 4.2 (had doubled in 13 mos. and rising monthly)

DaVinci Surgery 8/2/06 - Austin, TX w/Dr. Randy F.A.G.I.N.

T2a (at biopsy)

At pathology - cancer cell leakage into fatty tissue

Post-Surgical PSA on 10/06, 4/07 - undetectable!

11/1/06 - perhaps bladder neck involvement; 30%-50% chance of recurrence

PSA test "Un-zero-detectable" on 10/16/07.

9% chance recurrence w/in next 7 years (down from 50% as we understand it)

Future: PSA tests twice-yearly for now.

 

Hey David!

I'm so happy to see you here! You'll add much to this site and of course we need all the help we can get!
You and Tony have much in common besides this disease. I admire you both.

Susan

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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 No Symptoms
PSA: 7.96, Positive DRE
Biopsy Right: 6 of 6 Cores Positive Biopsy Left: 1 of 6 Cores Positive
Gleason: 4+3 = 7 Stage: T2B N0 MX
3 mo. PSA Post LRP Surgery: 11.8, 12.9, 13.9 Bone scan, CT scan, Endorectal MRI, Chest XR - neg.
09/06/06: 6 mo. PSA: 18.8 Distant lymph node involvement Start HT Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07: PSA 0.3
06/06/07: PSA 0.1
09/05/07: PSA 0.1

You have a gift, David,
Your gift is expression. What it does for others, I can only hope it does for you. What I don't understand is why there are not more David's documenting their journeys like you do. The internet is giving us a new tool in the cancer arena. Most doctors caution us that it is unregulated and not well controlled. But the truth be told, my doctors are not articulating the biggest part of the experience at all. It's drugs, Xrays, surgery and radiation. Nothing for our minds about what living with cancer is actually like. From your blog I know that you are a proud father, a devoted husband, a sports fan, a golfer, and an active prostate cancer antagonist! Seems like that is OK with me and I'm glad to hear it.

PS: Your music taste is very close to mine. But I am also a country boy more so these days. My favorite song this week is George Strait's "A Love Without End, Amen". I am mastering it on guitar for this weekends get together of friends, family, and old band mates. I have played for thirty years plus. Seems like I still whip out a Zeppelin tune or two but they are now surrounded by Country music tunes.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007

Post-Op Pathology was poor: Gleason 4+3=7, 4 positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

My PSA did drop out after surgery to undetectable.  It has not returned and I will continue HT until January '08.

My Life is supported very well by family and friends like you all.

STAY POSITIVE!

Coach V said it...it could be happiness or joy. For me today it's both. I find myself joyjful at your hopefulness on your site for a lower number being blessed. And I find myself Happy for you, David. Good Job!

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8

Surgery on Feb 16, 2007

Post-Op Pathology was poor: Gleason 4+3=7, 4 positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

My PSA did drop out after surgery to undetectable.  It has not returned and I will continue HT until January '08.

My Life is supported very well by family and friends like you all.

STAY POSITIVE!

Post Edited (TC-LasVegas) : 12/5/2007 12:13:55 AM (GMT-7)

David:

Down is good and may it continue in that direction.  I too have read your blog and admire you for sharing it all with us.  Probably hard to number the persons it has helped.  Thanks for what you do so well and best wishes to you.

Dutch

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Diagnosed Feb 2001  (Age 65)  Currently 72

PSA 4.8      Gleason 3+3=6      Stage   T2b

Completed Proton Therapy @ Loma Linda - Aug 2001 - No side effects.

6yr PSA - 0.19

Our responsibility now is to educate men about Pca, PSA and the importance of early detection.