Hello Brian, I have been up to my elbows in stuff about prostate cancer, spent two hours with a doctor from RCOG (see below) discussing treatment, this doctor defies all previous prejudices against the impersonal modern medical profession. The antithesis of what I had come to expect....he even suggested that if I were religious, I might want to discuss my case with God, imagine that! How unscientific and adorably human can you get!
I am very optimistic, he answered all of my questions, and then some, including a couple I wish I had not asked, but were inevitable. Not the least of which is when they remove my lymph nodes in the pelvic region prior to irradiation, would I have the option of not knowing if the biopsy results are positive. He said that would not be appropriate as there would still be one treatment option left....you don't want to know, suffice to say the same procedure enhances the palatability of certain livestock's tissue when sold for consumption by humans.
And the really good news is that all that would do is buy additional time as prostate cancer thrives on testosterone. Suffice to say some of the news (which I knew already prior to the visit) could be construed as something less than a shining blessing...but then on the other hand, I am indeed blessed, I have more plus marks on my tally sheet at this point than most could hope for, my wife has been nothing short of a pillar of strength and inspiration to me.
Here's a message I posted on the AOL "better health and cancer forum":
All for now, I'll return soon.
Subj: Alarming lack of education!
Date: 97-01-29 17:06:31 EST
From: NOSGAOTC
I am particularly disturbed by a couple of posts I have read here in the last day or two.
To those who are looking for information, I would like to suggest you visit:
cpi-prostate.com:80/index.html
as a good starting point, it is the website for:
Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia
2349 Lawrenceville Highway
Decatur, Georgia 30033
(404) 320-1550 / 1-800-952-7687
Their treatment consists of radioactive seed implants followed by high-energy precision radiation.
There is tremendous controversy surrounding *all* treatments for prostate cancer, I am not advocating that "once size fits all", for one thing, I am not a doctor.
Please, to those taking the first steps down the path of learning about this disease, familiarize yourself with some of the basic terminology used in it's discussion, don't waste time becoming involved in emotional debates, you will need *FACTS* to make an informed decision on how *YOUR* cancer is to be treated (or that of a loved one)
As I get more involved in how certain statistics relate to my particular case, the chances of my being "cured" by conventional surgery appears remote at best. Why I happen to be "blessed" with such an advanced case at an early age, is anyone's guess. Of one thing I am certain, had my cancer been diagnosed at age 50 instead of 42.....I shudder to think about it, and mine was a *chance* discovery based on my first PSA test, ordered by my GP without my knowledge. I kept waiting for another explanation besides cancer, it didn't come, and won't.
I can see why people become such ardent supporters of this or that treatment, it is gut wrenching at times to know there comes a point when a disease which is hardly even impacting your life can become *incurable* by any means.....please, educate yourselves, and make an informed decision, it is the only thing that brings any peace! |
