A tongue-in-cheek stated goal by many here with PCa (including myself for the past 17 years since dianosis) has been to live to die of "anything other" than prostate cancer. Of course that does not bear up to close scrutiny. Many alternative causes of death, including the "big 4" of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and metabolic disease complications, Dementias and (other) cancers or preventable complications from cancers. Let's also leave off the stupid: automobile/traffic accidents, preventible falls and preventible infectious diseases and so forth.
I find myself reassessing my own situation in an extreme manner right now. For 17 years I have fought my own individual case of PCa (advanced recurrence now since 2009). I have used everyreasonable option to extend health and well-being and slow my cancer. Preventing or slowing progression by every reasonable, including several that are not in the SOC. And , in this so far, I appear very successful. I am still hormone sensitive and only minimally have met criteria for metastasis (abdominal lymph nodes on PSMA) since treated with SBRT and radioligand therapy as well as modified BAT rather than continuous ADT. Details on my choices (which are not suggestions for others) are detailed in previous posts.
The results up to one month ago were a happily retired and quite active married 74 yo living 6 months in the mountains of Oregon and 6 months on beaches in Mexico. No physical limitations outside of gradual slowing down. Yes I work at it!
The last week of April while finishing a 3-month Spring in Los Cabos I woke up one morning with and extreme fever and chills. Within 12 hours I became very toxic: Redness, severe pain, swelling and tenderness in my legs and knees. I became utterly confused and disoriented. Did not know who nor where I was, not the country nor the year. I was ambulanced to a local Mexican hospital as I could not stand nor move. The work-up showed life threatening streptococcal cellulitis, myo-fasciitis, leg abcessess and knee infections. Started on very powerful antibiotics, it was felt I would more likely die than live the next 24 hours. (Only told this one month later this morning.)
But I did live of course, though in excruciating suffering in subsequent days and weeks through surgery and supportive care. Only in the last 4 days or so can I see actual improvement and the likelihood of recovery in the coming several months through much work and persistence with my medical team and therapists (especially my wife). There were no warning signs nor identified risk signs for this happening.
This is now an extraordinary taking-of-stock in my life. Who I am what I want to be and be able to do in the coming years I may have left seem to be all new territory. But filled with wonder and possibility. Prostate cancer right now is just along for the ride. Paul / MB
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MateoBeach
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I too have had more than a couple of existential conversations with myself of late. A recent bout of pneumonia followed by shingles (man its painful). Between PCA and multiple myeloma, I have a ridiculously weak immune system. Still I strive to stay positive as you are doing now.
OMG Paul!! What a shock to read your post and what a shock it would have been for you and your wife. We’re so sorry you’ve had to suffer such extreme health issues, but thank goodness you are on the road to full recovery. May the road be smooth and not too long. G&J
Paul, wow... Glad you're ok (now) and coming around! Is crazy enough to step into this world ride we are all on, but to have it doubled down on ya'... Just crazy! But yes, a somber reminder of our frailty, we often lose sight of when all things are going as good as could be expected!
Evening Paul, I read your post with dread, but happily realized that you had survived. The fact you survived is amazing, and I wish you well and applaud your caregivers. You are a fortunate man. Stay healthy and persist.
Doc Paul - Your spunky nature, no doubt, served you well as you walked along the edge of reality. I would think that you gained some near-death insights in being at that edge - insights that will surely inform your life going forward. Maybe some clouds do have silver linings and yours will gradually be made evident to you.
You have a lot of supportive people out here in the PCa patient and patient support community. We all wish you to have a very speedy recovery and hope for it to proceed faster than expected. Keep us posted on your progress and shout out if we can do anything to help make all that happen.
Very Best to you, Johane, and your faithful K9 companion,
I had something similar (perhaps not quite as bad) last year streptacoccus B infection in the spine that required 3 weeks in hospital and 6 weeks of antibiotics. I am immune suppressed for a kidney transplant. I am ok now. I hope you get better soon.
What a post to read first thing ! So happy for you that you got through this Paul. Fully agree there is more to life than PCa, but it does hog most of the attention. Am going for a skin cancer check today, just a check. Continued good luck to you.
Well Paul you dodged another bullet. Your work here is not finished. You and I both have been dancing with the beast for 17 years. May the sound of music continue for us both. GodSpeed
Wow. So glad you survived that but what a shock. A reminder that despite our resilience we and life is extremely fragile. However you must give yourself huge credit for how you and your wife have tackled PC which by any measurement has been a huge success. And thanks for sharing your journey both PC and non PC related.
My wise old friend, I want to take this opportunity to Thank You for all the wisdom and knowledge you have shared with me and the others on these boards. Be assured that you have had a positive influence on my PCa journey. We are survivors. Peace and Love to you my brother.
A big "Thanks", WillowHawk", to you for keeping the NOLA group+ updated (via our mutual friend and patient support expert, Marnie of OZ) with reports of Paul's progress during those delicate early days back here in the USA. Your sibling-support was evidently local in spite of you being some physical distance removed. Boundless love on full display!
I'll just add my thanks to cujoe's Kate. I know, like myself, all of Paul's friends were grateful for your updates during those couple of very worrying weeks and appreciated you taking the time to keep us updated.
Paul, it's wonderful and such a relief to see your post and know that you are well on the way to recovery. As always and once again you are a source of wisdom and inspiration. Go gently as you work your way to full recovery knowing you have the love, support and well wishes of all whose path you have crossed 💕
I think your posts teach alot of people how to fight, and how to fight with your mind. I always perk up when i notice at the top of a post.. mateobeach
Very sorry to hear that such a weird thing popped up but glad it is improving. I feel confident you will make a full recovery. Love your reads and keen analysis and hope to hear more from you. Any idea what got all that started? Scratched a nail? Something while swimming?
Glad you are on the mend... At this point, my attitude is similar... PCa is along for the ride.... more concerned about cardiovascular and metabolic issues... As my brother says,"The future is uncertain, and the end is always near..." Keep fighting, amigo... We must endeavor to persevere, and remain...
This whole Summer has been about recovery from the Group B Strep infection in my legs. Very devastating in the elderly due to diminished immunity. Lots of physical therapy which continues. Lots of exercise. Walking is good now after learning how all over again. Now running, or trying to again - very slow and ungainly. So it is a work in progress that I am happy to undertake every day.
Thank you Jim. Same back to you. I’d propose meeting for a coffee and a catch up. But would need to be pronto as we are going back to Mexico on Wednesday. Are you around this weekend? Otherwise back in mid December.
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The Warburg Effect [an increase in the rate of glucose uptake and preferential production of lactate, even in the presence of oxygen.]
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