Gleason 10

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  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #22
    ascott23 said:

    Hi VGama,
    Thank you so much
    Hi VGama,

    Thank you so much for again responding to my most recent post.
    The ironic thing in all of this is my Father has been a vegetarian for over 34 years and on occassion eats fish. My Mother is also a registered Dietician with the VA Hospital.

    However I did further research last night and my Dad has been on a high blood pressure medication for 5 years, he had a stressful job up until his diagnosis and a long commute.
    What I uncovered is this drug is similar to a diuretic and it can cause low potassium.
    But I just find it all confusing considering he never experienced any of these symptoms until he was put on HT and diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer?

    Prior to going into the hospital he had lost a considerable amount of weight of 20 pounds but he has since gained 15 pounds by increasing his calorie intake and of course the HT.

    We have a doctor's appt. tomorrow in order to check his PSA level and also Potassium.

    Thank you,

    April

    Combination of drugs
    April

    You are right. There are things that one should expect not to occur if one is fit and eats well. I believe that we are what we eat but such did not help in avoiding my diagnosis with cancer.
    I am Portuguese and was feed the so much acclaimed “Mediterranean Diet” in my initial period of life. Then after university I moved to Japan where I lived nearly 30 years feeding on micro biotic type of foods (loads of green tee, fish, rice, low fat meats, soja milk, etc). Back to Portugal I continue with the Mediterranean style and the qualities of red wines, nuts and local fruits, whole grain, etc. I always have been physical active, but could not get rid of the cancer. This is a war that has lasted already 12 years, since my 50 years old.

    Nobody can negate that my life style is helping in this long fight with the cancer, and the fact is so ironic. I decided to simple follow what I believe and that includes a balanced way of living. PCa gave me the possibility of being closer to my wife and looking in to life with different "eyes". Stress is the worse so that I gave up with my job and retired.

    Your dad needs you girls in his care. He is very young but got an advanced case requiring detailed attentions. Combination of drugs can tackle the cancer, but they may interact with other medications for other illnesses.

    Medical oncologists are good in targeted treatments and they would be a good choice for consultation and second opinions.
    Dr. Charles Myers is my hero in matter related to prostate cancer. He is himself a survivor of the disease and an investigator in his professional life. His videos are very instructive and “spoken” in a patient’s language. You may show them to your dad so that he may comprehend better what is happening inside him.

    In his latest video he speaks about combination of drugs to fight the bandit. Here is the link;
    http://askdrmyers.wordpress.com/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuKXJZKXonjHpfsXx6OosT/rn28M3109ad+rmPBy+2YsBWoEnZ9mMBAQZC81x0gNLDuGBeYZP6OBQ

    Can you get and share the protocol of treatment suggested by his doctor?

    Best.
    VGama
  • ascott23
    ascott23 Member Posts: 16
    #23
    VascodaGama said:

    Combination of drugs
    April

    You are right. There are things that one should expect not to occur if one is fit and eats well. I believe that we are what we eat but such did not help in avoiding my diagnosis with cancer.
    I am Portuguese and was feed the so much acclaimed “Mediterranean Diet” in my initial period of life. Then after university I moved to Japan where I lived nearly 30 years feeding on micro biotic type of foods (loads of green tee, fish, rice, low fat meats, soja milk, etc). Back to Portugal I continue with the Mediterranean style and the qualities of red wines, nuts and local fruits, whole grain, etc. I always have been physical active, but could not get rid of the cancer. This is a war that has lasted already 12 years, since my 50 years old.

    Nobody can negate that my life style is helping in this long fight with the cancer, and the fact is so ironic. I decided to simple follow what I believe and that includes a balanced way of living. PCa gave me the possibility of being closer to my wife and looking in to life with different "eyes". Stress is the worse so that I gave up with my job and retired.

    Your dad needs you girls in his care. He is very young but got an advanced case requiring detailed attentions. Combination of drugs can tackle the cancer, but they may interact with other medications for other illnesses.

    Medical oncologists are good in targeted treatments and they would be a good choice for consultation and second opinions.
    Dr. Charles Myers is my hero in matter related to prostate cancer. He is himself a survivor of the disease and an investigator in his professional life. His videos are very instructive and “spoken” in a patient’s language. You may show them to your dad so that he may comprehend better what is happening inside him.

    In his latest video he speaks about combination of drugs to fight the bandit. Here is the link;
    http://askdrmyers.wordpress.com/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuKXJZKXonjHpfsXx6OosT/rn28M3109ad+rmPBy+2YsBWoEnZ9mMBAQZC81x0gNLDuGBeYZP6OBQ

    Can you get and share the protocol of treatment suggested by his doctor?

    Best.
    VGama

    Hi Vgama,
    We received good
    Hi Vgama,

    We received good news today, my Dad's PSA level is now undetectable down from a 7.5 from last month to a 0.13 today! Also his testosterone level is a 2.

    His PA agreed that he is responding well to the HT, her only concern is the Potassium level. We will followup with that tomorrow with his PCP. She also said that this is not a Sarcoma because if it were then it would not respond to HT?
    I am aware that with my Father's level of PCa and the fact it is now in the bone and lymph nodes that this is only temporary, now the question becomes for how long?

    My father is on Casodex 50mg daily, and Zoladex shot that will last for 3 months. We are scheduled to return November 28th for further test namely PSA.

    I will take a look at the link you sent and will share this with my Father.

    Once again thank you so much for your advice and positive thinking.
    You are correct your diet has attributed to your ability to remain stable despite your diagnosis.

    Thank you,

    April
  • ascott23
    ascott23 Member Posts: 16
    #24
    Update

    Hi,

    It has been awhile since I have posted on this board regarding my Father's condition. As of February of this year my Father's PSA level has gone from 0.004 to 0.22, 0.17, and now is 0.13.

    He is also experiencing shortness of breath, when he speaks it sounds as if he is breathy, runny nose, and and a periodic cough?

    The doctors at NIH are mainly focused on his PSA level, and he was informed to today that if they see a spike in his PSA again then they will put him on Provenge?

    My question is as far as his PSA should the doctors only rely on this as a measure of the disease, and should they request more scans due to his latest symptoms I described earlier?

    Once again thank all of you for your comments and suggestions.

     

    April 

  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    #25
    ascott23 said:

    Update

    Hi,

    It has been awhile since I have posted on this board regarding my Father's condition. As of February of this year my Father's PSA level has gone from 0.004 to 0.22, 0.17, and now is 0.13.

    He is also experiencing shortness of breath, when he speaks it sounds as if he is breathy, runny nose, and and a periodic cough?

    The doctors at NIH are mainly focused on his PSA level, and he was informed to today that if they see a spike in his PSA again then they will put him on Provenge?

    My question is as far as his PSA should the doctors only rely on this as a measure of the disease, and should they request more scans due to his latest symptoms I described earlier?

    Once again thank all of you for your comments and suggestions.

     

    April 

    Disease Progression

    April,

    As prostate cancer advances, such as what is happening with your father, PSA becomes a significant tool in measuring the progress of the disease.  When aggressive cancers metastaize beyone the prostate they can affect several organs but common ones are bones, lungs, and liver.  As the HT becomes less effective they must switch to drugs like Provenge which are designed to slow the progress of advanced disease.  Hormone therapy works to deprive the body of testosterone but eventually prostate cancer cells no longer need testosterone to continue to grow and drugs like Provenge are used.  Provenge is not curative.  Unfortunately there are no treatments that can permanently stop and reverse the advance cancer you have described.  

    While additional scans might show more areas where the disease has spread, it is unlikely that would change what they would do to treat it.  Significant pain in the joints can be relieved by radiation but it sounds like that may not be his biggest problem at this point.

    I hope that a new drug regimen is effective and brings your father some releif.

    Best to you.

    K

  • Rakendra
    Rakendra Member Posts: 197 Member
    #26
    Shortness of breath

    I share some of the above symptoms, like shortness of breath, sniffles, and occasional cough.  Often when I get up quickly I get a bit dizzy and breathless.  However, I still am in the gym five days a week for at least two hours, and there I have no symptoms.  I do a Matrix workout (http://www.dr-ronlaura.com/matrix.html)  I recommend this for Pca sufferers because it is a very excellent work out yet can be done at home with very little weight, even just a broom.  The shortness of breath seems to be inconsistent, and even though my gym workout is pretty extreme, I do not get it there.  With NO testosterone, I have lost 24 lbs of muscle in three months.  Exercise must be a key part of treatment.  It will help keep the body musculature strong which may help the weakened bones.  Endorphins are released which is nature's tranquilizer.  Mental atititude is affected positiively as is sleep patterns.

    Exercise is very important for the immune system as well.  It may be difficult for guys over 60 to start an exercise program if they have not been on one before.  At first, it is very trying, but the more one does it, the easier it gets.  And it is ESSENTIAL.  I share your father's diet and exercise habits, and these will serve him well in the future.  Movement is so important at this stage, I hope he is still interested in doing some kind of exercise.  If exercise is not possible, deep breathing and meditation may be of help.

    I am stage 4 with matastases thruout my skeleton. My Gleason was 3+4, but I do not trust any Pathologist in Mindanao.

    Also, I think that with Pca, you can never know what to expect. Each day is an event and no one can tell what tomorrow will bring.  I have been given 12 to 18 months, but this is just fiction.  It could be five months or five years, and that is true for every human, even those without Pca.  As for myself, I do not see how much time left is nearly as important as what I do with each and every moment.  If there is gratitude and love and true living each moment as fully as possible, this has more reward that living a long time with worry about the future, which, in reality, does not exist for anyone.  The only time that is real is THIS moment.  Enjoy and celebrate every moment you have with your father.  I truly pray at least his unpleasant symptoms will go away and allow him a better quality of life.  His past health habits will work for him, and he is fortunate to have someone as centered as you to care for him.  Best luck for the future, love, Rakendra

  • ascott23
    ascott23 Member Posts: 16
    #27
    Rakendra said:

    Shortness of breath

    I share some of the above symptoms, like shortness of breath, sniffles, and occasional cough.  Often when I get up quickly I get a bit dizzy and breathless.  However, I still am in the gym five days a week for at least two hours, and there I have no symptoms.  I do a Matrix workout (http://www.dr-ronlaura.com/matrix.html)  I recommend this for Pca sufferers because it is a very excellent work out yet can be done at home with very little weight, even just a broom.  The shortness of breath seems to be inconsistent, and even though my gym workout is pretty extreme, I do not get it there.  With NO testosterone, I have lost 24 lbs of muscle in three months.  Exercise must be a key part of treatment.  It will help keep the body musculature strong which may help the weakened bones.  Endorphins are released which is nature's tranquilizer.  Mental atititude is affected positiively as is sleep patterns.

    Exercise is very important for the immune system as well.  It may be difficult for guys over 60 to start an exercise program if they have not been on one before.  At first, it is very trying, but the more one does it, the easier it gets.  And it is ESSENTIAL.  I share your father's diet and exercise habits, and these will serve him well in the future.  Movement is so important at this stage, I hope he is still interested in doing some kind of exercise.  If exercise is not possible, deep breathing and meditation may be of help.

    I am stage 4 with matastases thruout my skeleton. My Gleason was 3+4, but I do not trust any Pathologist in Mindanao.

    Also, I think that with Pca, you can never know what to expect. Each day is an event and no one can tell what tomorrow will bring.  I have been given 12 to 18 months, but this is just fiction.  It could be five months or five years, and that is true for every human, even those without Pca.  As for myself, I do not see how much time left is nearly as important as what I do with each and every moment.  If there is gratitude and love and true living each moment as fully as possible, this has more reward that living a long time with worry about the future, which, in reality, does not exist for anyone.  The only time that is real is THIS moment.  Enjoy and celebrate every moment you have with your father.  I truly pray at least his unpleasant symptoms will go away and allow him a better quality of life.  His past health habits will work for him, and he is fortunate to have someone as centered as you to care for him.  Best luck for the future, love, Rakendra

    Hi,
     
    I have not posted on

    Hi,

     

    I have not posted on here for a while regarding my Father's condition. My Dad is still experiencing shortness of breath, stuffy nose, and he clears his throat a lot. He does continue to walk around his neighborhood. He appears to be in good spirits although I feel most of that is to not worry my Mother.

    He had a very strange symptom the 4th of July where one side of his face was swollen for 3 days but he was not in any physical pain. He went to his Primary Care Physician and they did an xray of his right shoulder. His PCP told him that both sides of his face were swollen and they were his glands? The xray of his right shoulder only revealed the onset of osteoperosis but nothing they could really do for the time being. They gave him sinus medication to relieve his sinus congestion and cough. This worked for a month but as soon as the medication was completed the same nasal congestion, occassional cough, and clearing of his throat has returned since last week.

    My Dad is due for a series of scans because it has been a year since his diagnosis, and he is taking his PSA test tomorrow. We are all nervous of the outcome. We do not know what the next treatment will be?

     

    I want to thank all of you for your advice and sharing your stories with me.

     

    April

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #28
    ascott23 said:

    Hi,
     
    I have not posted on

    Hi,

     

    I have not posted on here for a while regarding my Father's condition. My Dad is still experiencing shortness of breath, stuffy nose, and he clears his throat a lot. He does continue to walk around his neighborhood. He appears to be in good spirits although I feel most of that is to not worry my Mother.

    He had a very strange symptom the 4th of July where one side of his face was swollen for 3 days but he was not in any physical pain. He went to his Primary Care Physician and they did an xray of his right shoulder. His PCP told him that both sides of his face were swollen and they were his glands? The xray of his right shoulder only revealed the onset of osteoperosis but nothing they could really do for the time being. They gave him sinus medication to relieve his sinus congestion and cough. This worked for a month but as soon as the medication was completed the same nasal congestion, occassional cough, and clearing of his throat has returned since last week.

    My Dad is due for a series of scans because it has been a year since his diagnosis, and he is taking his PSA test tomorrow. We are all nervous of the outcome. We do not know what the next treatment will be?

     

    I want to thank all of you for your advice and sharing your stories with me.

     

    April

    Hope for the best

    April

    I cross my fingers for a good result from the tests. You and your dad are in my thoughts.

    Best wishes.

    VG

  • mrspjd
    mrspjd Member Posts: 694 Member
    #29
    ascott23 said:

    Hi,
     
    I have not posted on

    Hi,

     

    I have not posted on here for a while regarding my Father's condition. My Dad is still experiencing shortness of breath, stuffy nose, and he clears his throat a lot. He does continue to walk around his neighborhood. He appears to be in good spirits although I feel most of that is to not worry my Mother.

    He had a very strange symptom the 4th of July where one side of his face was swollen for 3 days but he was not in any physical pain. He went to his Primary Care Physician and they did an xray of his right shoulder. His PCP told him that both sides of his face were swollen and they were his glands? The xray of his right shoulder only revealed the onset of osteoperosis but nothing they could really do for the time being. They gave him sinus medication to relieve his sinus congestion and cough. This worked for a month but as soon as the medication was completed the same nasal congestion, occassional cough, and clearing of his throat has returned since last week.

    My Dad is due for a series of scans because it has been a year since his diagnosis, and he is taking his PSA test tomorrow. We are all nervous of the outcome. We do not know what the next treatment will be?

     

    I want to thank all of you for your advice and sharing your stories with me.

     

    April

    Gleason 10, 45 yrs old/young
    April,

    Thought you might be interested in reading this. Here's a link to one man's story/tx (video & text) about his aggressive fight against G10 PCa: 

    "Auckland teacher faces rare cancer, rare treatment"

     

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