I have been on this track for 2 and a half years. At 82 it is a different process than if you are 52. At 52 you are looking long term, I am looking short term (5 yrs or maybe 10) but either one requires a simple approach, as follows:
1. A good attitude.
2 .A willingness to listen to good advice
3. Ignore bad advice
4. Quit looking for a miracle cure
5. 2 and 3 are critical, determining what is good and bad is. Your responsibility.
6. A good MO is critical, get to know yours
7. Family is our foundation but don’t let them be the driver of your cancer bus, you are in control.
8.if you are a believer, believe, have faith. If you aren’t then reconsider. Don’t look for miracles, look for alternatives and options; you never know what will happen.
I have tried to apply the above and I have found it works. Also, I accept the standard of care I am getting (lupron and Zytiga). My MO is great and we are in this as a team.
I hope this helps some of you who are just beginning this journey. GOD bless each of you.
Written by
Drphil1938
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I think it will hit folks differently. I'm on SOC but still open minded to complementing it with other things in light of what I regard as the dismal SOC-related survival rates for metastatic PCa. On the other hand, I ultimately accept my fate and am more interested in leaving my wife in a secure position, which forces me to evaluate "miracle cures" very cautiously (Hint: miracles don't cost that much).
It reminds me of a phrase I read in Lance Armstrong's book. There is the before cancer person and the after cancer person. With your suggestions, hopefully for the better.
Thank you! I remember well the emotions of the first day I learned I had stage 4 metastatic PC. I thought it was an immediate death sentence.
I started a journey of educating myself . Looking for a good treatment center. I found Siteman in St. Louis and they assigned me to a young MO who is excellent. I looked for suitable trials; new meds; holistic approaches and vitamin regimens. All may be good but the Lupron and Zytiga have taken me to non-detectable PSA.
I am comfortable with standard of care from my MO and I am now relying on him to do all research, trial enquiries, and I have told him he is the captain of the ship and i am relying on him to keep me afloat. He said that's my job.
I realize that the day is coming that all will change but in the meantime who knows what new treatments will be developed.
Good advice, but I chose to disagree with #8. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I’d opt for helping the researcher of our disease to find a better “cure”. I’d not hesitate with enrolling in “research protocol” to advance the science of prostate cancer treatment.
I think you misinterpreted #8 or I didn't say clearly what meant. What I was saying is miracles are not always obvious. God may work through a doctor or a research person or he may choose to heal you. Believer or nonbeliever He looks after all.
Yes I did. Sorry. My intent was to comment on “Standard of Care”. I personally am not interested in just prolonging my life, but to contribute to the PC treatment care/research with whatever remaining years I have so that others may benefit from it.
Excellent advice. At 72, already having those cells in my body for 16+ years, I can verify these things you listed work. It's especially crucial for quality of life to not be pushed into endless treatments by your doctors.
My husband is 75 and he has the same attitude you have. He is on the same meds as you. Of course everyone wants years , But no one is guaranteed that. I can’t imagine how It would feel
If he was just 50 or 60 and on top of that the cost to fight this crap. So right the thoughts are so different
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
PC Invasion of My Liver
Patting the Shark - A Surfers Journey, Learning to Live Well with Cancer
May or May Not have PC
Why not start therapy the moment you know you have PC?
