vacation away from treatment

[joeoconnell]

at this point in time i am choosing to receive no treatment, but getting regular evaluations on a scheduled basis

[Dr_WHO]

Wish you the best. Lord knows the side effects of treatment really take their toll. At the same time I am very glad that you are still getting evaluations.

Enjoy your vacation!!

[LF27]

Good luck, Joe! All the best to you.

[joeoconnell in reply to LF27]

thanks

[Don1157]

I understand completely! Good luck!

[Shepard]

I felt the same way two years ago. I had stomach problems and backache which I thought might be kidney irritation. I complained to my Oncologist who said "I only take care of your cancer." I asked about a "vacation" from Casodex since my PSA was .00. He agreed. My primary care physician had moved over a year ago. I signed up with a new primary care physician and he quickly brought me relief. Returning to my Oncologist six months later, my PSA had increased to .10. It continued to increase and now it is 18.8. Part of this increase is due to Provenge and I will not know the "bottom line" for another six months (?). I do not know if the change in PSA was due to dropping treatment or if it was a natural progression. What I did learn is that when I have difficult side effects I will present them to my primary care physician. So far this has improved my quality of life. We should all respect individual choices. However, now I hope to make my choices with the best information possible. Wishing you the best on this journey.

[20PeteG16]

Yes, I too had a near 6 year active surveillance "vacation". Currently, on Casodex only with few side effects.

Praying for all my brothers-in-blue

PeteG

[j-o-h-n]

joeoconnell

Vacate-tion.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Saturday 01/13/2018 11:10 AM EST