sometimes...maybe

maybe...
That is the hardest part of PCa - because there is no definitive cure, we all get a lifetime of opportunities to worry about PSA tests and second-guess our choice.

I try not to do that, as it accomplishes nothing positive, but I also went from no symptoms at all to cancer survivor in a matter of weeks due to an accidental add-on blood test. A slow-motion version of getting hit by a truck.

But then, I think we all fall prey to it. The good news is that we recognize it, and then go on.

Trew said:

I am with you NM in those
I am with you NM in those sentiments. If I had known what was coming after surgery I doubt I would have agreed to any of this. right now there is no sign of cancer in me but the plumbing is destroyed and I often ask myself, "what kind of life is this?" I am a man of faith and have a close walk with Jesus. So why go through this? I guess all that is in the next chapter still being written.

I am also an avid backpacker. sometimes a creative backpacker can get into interesting situations and one one can do then is say, "OK, here I am now, what do I need to do to get out of this?" And then do the best you can from that moment on.

We just go on from here and see what happens now.

And then you read the post "Bone Mets" and think, just maybe I"m on the right course......?

Bone Mets
Though I chose to have very little treatment as to what was available I have been fortunate to survive such a long time with my cancer. I choose so little because I read about the side effects and believed every word. My radiation and hormone shot led to ED of course but I was willing to go there. I think I would have survived just as long without it now but can not be sure. The cancer had already spread when I got my first psa test of my life. As stated numerous times, getting the stress out of my life, made a big difference. Having the support of my wife was of the upmost importance. She took over and I got out of the way.

I believe that if you know the cancer has spread outside the prostate then the only question is what quality of life and how much you want to spend are the issue. My employer let me go when I told him I had terminal cancer so he could get me off the company plan. I had no insurance for 3.5 years and a 7 dollar/hr job after getting dissmissed form the 22 dollar job. Filed bankruptcy and spent my retirement money to get to today.

Hopefully you do not have to lose your job or go through what I did. My quality of life, despite the lack of money to just take off and go anywhere, is tremendous and I have never been happier in my life.

Hospice care is about the easiest decision I've ever had to make. My oncologist started spewing a list of further treatments to try to slow the cancer down and my head started to spin. He implied that I might gain 4 months of life or that the treatment itself would kill me. Not much of a choice really.