Husband Newly Diagnosed

Hello to All.  I accompanied my husband to his t3 MRI last week because he thought the process might trigger anxiety/claustrophobia. He told them he wanted to take lorazepam or something similar and that he would bring a driver. The scheduler stressed that he must bring the prescription bottle with him and take the med in front of them. Ok, that was a little different but he complied.

We got to campus and entered a building that had the words “translational research” in its name. It was unlike other medical services buildings I’ve been in before; a soaring lobby with a tiny sign pointing towards MRI check-in. We saw no one else in the lobby or waiting room. After he was escorted to the MRI area, I thought I’d give the receptionist our insurance card and check on any co-pays. I was puzzled when the receptionist told me “The Foundation covers the cost.” She saw I was confused and asked “Your husband signed a consent, right?” As far as we know, he hasnt  signed anything special.

Long story short, would translational research translate to clinical trials for cancer? We clearly weren’t in a traditional medical setting. The process and protocol for the pelvic MRI took 3 hours. My spouse is kind of oblivious to details so he had no answers for many of my questions, other than the thing that compressed his abs was uncomfortable. This post isn’t strictly curiosity on my part. We do see the MO on Thursday and the Radiation oncologist on Monday. I know a lot is churning in Paul’s head but outwardly, PCa doesn’t seem to exist in his life. I’m concerned that a proposal that he participate in a clinical trial might meet with resistance. He’s already said he may just let his original urologist treat him with ADT so that he wouldn’t be driving ”all over the county” in his already busy life. That leads me to think he still doesn’t understand what Stage 4 PCa means. 

I’ve told him stories that you’ve all shared of traveling great distances to get the latest and greatest care. I don’t want him to dismiss any clinical study participation based solely on an 80 mile round trip drive. I guess I’m thinking of suggesting the possibility of a study to him just so the idea starts processing. It truly felt like we were entering new territory walking into a translational research  building. Maybe my imagination  running away on me? Any suggested trials based on Gleason 10, local mets (unless the MRI showed something other scans didn’t) and newly on Casodex and getting first Lupron in2 days? You can tell me I’m overthinking things-not a new thing for me. Thanks, Mary

Hi, everyone. Just came from consulting with a radiation oncologist at UC-San Diego Moores Cancer Center. He used the good C word - curative! He sees nothing problematic in any of the scans that would preclude EBRT. There’s 2 nodes in right pelvis and one in the left that he will treat along with prostate. When I asked him about staging, he said the term they use is regional PCa but others would call it 4A. He explained that they don't even call it metastatic disease because treatment is curative in a case like my husband’s. While that may all be simply words, it does offer hope in a way that lumping it in with men who have distant metastatic disease doesn’t . 

Radiation will start in May after 60 days of ADT. Another note that surprised me is that the RO said in 60 days, ADT will have knocked out 90% of cancer. He explained that radiation is more effective the smaller its target is. Radiation will be 5 days a week for 8 weeks and will likely be curative.

I am happy that many of you recommended going to a cancer center. Everyone at Moores has been terrific and has inspired much confidence in my husband. They can even accommodate an evening schedule for radiation which was a great relief to Paul. He wants to continue to work and the doctors are encouraging him that it’s possible. 

Having a plan in place sure feels much better than the past 3 months of worrying and wondering!