WELL...(deep subject) everyone wants to know what happened with my new Radiation Oncologist who is a BRAIN specialist. We celebrated with late lunch at Catfish Deweys...lf a bunch of stone crabs for me...and baby back ribs for Richard.
The doctor gave me some incredibly bad news. He showed me the MRI and told me that the cancer was in the brain lining...but had also gotten into the brain and was causing some swelling of the brain tissue. He asked about side effects from this. I told him head aches, etc. The news sounded bad..but he sounds SO great...that when he told me I could call him Dr. Mellon...or I could call him by his first name...Eric. After speaking with him already for a while...I said....I think I might just call you "the person I love". He was amazing.
I had a couple of different routes to use to attack the cancer...one was just going after the actual spots they see....the other was much more aggressive and included radiation to the entire brain. I told him my story of going to Shand's Teaching Hospital while I was Pre-Med in my second year of college. I got there...saw a surgury done on someone's brain....had to run out because I thought I would throw up watching the brain actually pulsating. I then dropped out of pre-med and went into Journalism. I told him HE had the doctorate...he had the experience...WHAT WOULD HE do if I was his father...or brother....and he said he would go with the more aggressive treatment. So I said...I feel that you're the man...I will do that one.
I have to start with a very aggressive MRI of my spine and lower brain
THEN, I have to have a Spinal Tap. Doesn't sound like fun...but it's a necessity.
Then I have to begin the full brain radiation treatment. I will also have another doctor who will help with the process.
I have to also keep my eye on head aches...because I am prone to having brain seizures. Right now he thinks (based on my descriptions of side effects) that I have a while before I should have any seizures (which can be deadly)
Overall...after treatment he thinks I could have several years(3 or 4)
That sounds like a good thing...and I am just blessed to have someone so wonderful working to help me. Life is beautiful NOW.
gJohn
P.S. The stone crabs were DELICIOUS ! ! !
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Life definitely is a journey and you are handling your journey so well. Admire your courage gjohn and you are certainly helping me on my journey. God Bless😷
Great conversation with your doc to get his honest answer.... not fun, mind you, but encouraging, and at least there is a treatment path...that includes cooking your brain. Yer a hero, GJ. I wish you many more incredible meals to post here! - Joe M.
Thanks Joe. My experience with this doctor and it was by zoom on the phone was just amazing he seemed so caring and wonderful. And also smart! Have a great holiday.
3 or 4 more years? You sure have been playing with house money, very cool! I have a complete spinal MRI every six months. takes nearly 1.5 hours.
I am so happy you have found such a wonderful doctor. I’m sure you will feel secure in his care. I always thank God that there are such brilliant people in this world. Hugs and best of luck to you moving forward. Hope it’s a wonderful thing and faith can move mountains!
Glad to hear that you are getting this latest speed bump sorted out. Sounds promising, glad you found a doctor that has a treatment option. Just got back from a cruise on viking from Barcelona to Athens ate great food and explored new places. Wore me out but was worth the pain. Good luck on your treatment. Eat well and hope you feel better.
So sorry to hear of this new development…who knew this was even a thing? Glad to hear you’ve got a great doc caring for you and helping you choose your oath!
Appreciate your updates. Both medical and food wise. This seems like a lot but promising just the same. You are brave greatjohn. I find strength through your posts.
Hello GJ, I have said it before and I am fixing to say it again. You are an inspiration to all of us who are marching down the same PCa road. Your posts give many of us the strength to carry the fight forward. It seems that whenever you are handed bad news you somehow are able to find someone or something to give you the confidence to carry on. If ever there was a person who could make lemonade out of lemons it is you. Good luck my friend!
I look for something from you each time I log on. Danged if you haven't went and got some awful mess this time. Hope your doc can clean it up. My case is looking up.. Alk/Phos the lowest it has been in over 3 years and PSA dropped for 5th month in a row. Life Is Good, and your choice of food looks very tasty. Best of luck to you and Richard.
Well getting a Doctor Mellon to work on your head seems very appropriate, seemingly better than a Doctor Ball or a Doctor Toez. You seem to find great people to tell you the scoop and treat you.
On a more serious note I have been following the company Novocure which is using electric field to treat Mets in the brain. Interesting trials going on.
You always remind us that doctors patients families are just in this journey together in different ways. Thank you for keeping the human spirit shining through.
God bless you John. The crab looks delicious . The doc. sounds good and if your good with him and the Lord's willing all will be well. Good luck brother
Wow, I’m so relieved that you have an option to move forward with. It may be a tough road ahead for a while but you’re not alone. Wishing you and Richard the very best, and will keep you in my thoughts.
Wow, you have such courage. They will be looking to see if the cancer has crossed the blood/brain barrier through the spinal fluid. Keep posting the food pictures and keep enjoying life to its fullest. You probably don’t feel that you are an inspiration, but believe you me, you are.
It seems you have found a great doctor to take care of you. When there is hope, there is life! You are courageous and never complain, which is admirable. Always good to see you keep your appetite for food and life.
I have whiplash just from following your story on this forum! I can't imagine what it must be like in your own brain with all of these twists and turns. The food photos are a sign to me that you must be feeling pretty good about it, here's halibut in pot roast style back at ya!
I have never known before a guy like you who can walk passing the death and turn back to give us a smile! You deserve more than 3 or 4 years after this adventure with your new Radiation Oncologist. Let the fortune favour the brave John the Great!
You are one courageous and inspirational man and I wish you all the best and all strength for the next stage in your journey👏🤞. Keep on posting the excellent food! Makes me feel hungry
Greatjohn, I pray your tests and treatments go as planned. Dr. Mellon sounds like he is the one for this adventure and pray all go as planned! Dinner looks great.
So glad you found a specialist who can help! Your positive attitude and appetite is infectious. We’re currently on a Celebrity cruise in the Caribbean enjoying some awesome food and trying to forget about PCa for a few days.
John, to some extent this looks like the answer you were hoping for, 3 to 4 years to be there for your partner! I know a lifetime would be better, but that's just not how this works. I have my new testing today, two bone scans and a CT.
Glad you found a great doctor after all your travels. My news wasn’t that bad Tuesday. Found another cancer on my ribs, can’t radiate due to being to close to the lungs. So wait and see until the pain gets to bad to stand. Good luck my friend and warrior. Waiting for good news 🙏🙏🙏🙏
“Cancer” is the constellation for the Crab in the stars. Great symbolism in you eating that now, instead of the other way around. Glad you found Dr. Eric and are going to treat, protect, your whole brain. We treasure that brain and the man who houses it. Good luck. May you be seizure free during treatments.
Great John,Thank you for the update and stone crab photo. I think your new doctors will be able to pull off a miracle. They can run some testing of the CSF to check for PSA, CTCs, etc. Maybe there's also something actionable against the specific cell type. Knock em Dead! Best wishes for effective radiotherapy🤞🙏🚀PS If you like Veal, I'd like to send you my grandfather's recipe for Veal Scallopini.
thank so much. It's getting harder to deal with some of the things I have to deal with..but I'm still trying to be here for my Puppy (Sparky) and my Husband (Richard)j.
Thanks … yea I had a couple scary rough spots but I’m fine, considering. Just putting on my big boy pants and working through everything. Medical whack-a-mole …. You know how that is.
Howze both you and Clint been doing and have you guys been enjoying that orangery ? Guess it’s back to the time of the year it comes into play more. Didja do that trip you were looking forward to ?
You can journey through anything with an oncologist you love - glad you've found a treasure; may he live up to your hopes. Blessings, Greatjohn, on this treatment!
I am going to read this as good news. I must say I was very concerned when I read your previous post. I'll pray and hope for great results to the treatments and keen insight from your Dr.
Thanks, I appreciate that. Does the waiting time to see what happens at the next test or treatment outcome ever get easier? My next crossroads are in December. While living one day at a time is my montra this ones seems larger than the others. Of course the one before this was as well
Disappointed in the news (and lack of pic of ribs) but glad there is a plan for treatment. Sounds like it will be a rough go so stock up on your fav ice creams and show those pics on the other side of treatment. Wishing the best for you, Sparky, Richard and all of us.
No. It's NotAlwaysSunshine. Maybe tomorrow. Don't know where the kind doctor gets 3 to 4 years. May be a lot longer than that. Wishing you, Richard and Sparky all the best.
I just love you because even when it’s bad , you find humor😍. I know God has a very special plan for you! You keep getting amazing Doctors that want to keep you around!
John, your attitude and positivity is amazing and I am trying to emulate it during my journey, but I know I often fall short. Thank you for your posts! Though often make me hungry. Takecare.
Prayers for you John! I’m so impressed with your medical team and I’m praying for more miracles coming your way! You have touched so many of us on your journey 💕
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My cancer has morphed to treatment-emergent small-cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
My dad has stage 4 prostate cancer 
Prostate cancer made to my brain, skull and muscles in my head
