Prostate Cancer

[whitewood]

It has been 222 days since a similar thread started by Sturdee tracked the progress of a number of members who suffered with this Cancer. I ignorantly posted a reply on it only to find the thread had been closed.

It would still be nice to know how these guys were going, if they wanted to share this information.

As a matter of interest the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia held it's second 3 day Conference at the Gold Coast a couple of months ago. There were speakers from overseas and one of the aims is to pool ideas and research for better diagnosis and treatment rather than having multiple Institutes using their resources doing the same thing.


I could not afford to attend but there should be sufficient time elapsed for the specialist in Australia to have had feedback on latest ideas that would benefit their patients.

whitewood

[Sturdee]

Yes it's 2 1/2 years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it has changed my life.

I first had an operation to remove my prostate and associated infected parts and then a wait to see how effective it was. Unfortunately it was not successful in removing all my cancer cells and I had radiation treatment as well as a longterm (3years) treatment (Eliguard injections) to reduce my body producing testosterone, a substance that prostate cancer cells need to grow.

It's a bit over a year since I finished the radiation treatment and so far my PSA readings are consistently below 0.01 (in other words undetectable).

I'm still regularly visiting the hospital to see my radiation oncologist for the Eliguard and the Men's health clinic to monitor the longterm effect of the Eliguard treatment.


Yes my life has changed, I have some minor physical problems to cope with but mentally I received a new view of life which is much to the better.

I took up wood turning rather than sit and mope around and I'm enjoying this greatly.

I would still urge everyone to regularly get tested and if you get it, it need not be the end but can be a new beginning like it is for me.


Peter.

[whitewood]

Yes it's 2 1/2 years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it has changed my life.

I first had an operation to remove my prostate and associated infected parts and then a wait to see how effective it was. Unfortunately it was not successful in removing all my cancer cells and I had radiation treatment as well as a longterm (3years) treatment (Eliguard injections) to reduce my body producing testosterone, a substance that prostate cancer cells need to grow.

It's a bit over a year since I finished the radiation treatment and so far my PSA readings are consistently below 0.01 (in other words undetectable).

I'm still regularly visiting the hospital to see my radiation oncologist for the Eliguard and the Men's health clinic to monitor the longterm effect of the Eliguard treatment.

Yes my life has changed, I have some minor physical problems to cope with but mentally I received a new view of life which is much to the better.

I took up wood turning rather than sit and mope around and I'm enjoying this greatly.

I would still urge everyone to regularly get tested and if you get it, it need not be the end but can be a new beginning like it is for me.


Peter.

Hi Peter,

Glad all is going well for you. Yes your right fighting the disease does give you a new view on life. I hope some one has told you about taking calcium whilst on the hormone supplements as it is really important.

John

[Sturdee]

John.

My calcium levels and bone structure are checked every 6 month. So far I don't need to take calcium supplements but I drink on average a litre of milk a day.

May seem a lot but I like all milk coffees and during the warmer weather I have a milkshake a day.:D


Peter.

[whitewood]

Hi Peter,

I'm glad you don't have problems. I was on hormones for about 21 months. No one told me to take supplements. I do have a fair bit of milk and cheese but i still ended up with mild osteoporosis and now have to take a 'heavy' drug to allow the calcium supplements I take to be absorbed into the bones. I'm told I'll be on this medication for the rest of my life. Yo me it's just an example of 'Every action has an equal and opposite reaction'. I'm not complaining though as I still I have a life.

John

[graemet]

G'day all,
I'm still here too! Still on the Eligard 6 monthly but the PSA started to rise again about a year ago. I have been lucky enough to get onto a clinical trial which has shrunk the metastatic growths right down with no chemo. It looks as if this new drug could be the wonder drug for prostate (and breast) cancer.
Still alive and REALLY enjoying life.
Cheers
Graeme