January 05, 2009

Peaking ahead

As 2009 begins, a portion of my PCa journey is coming to a close. Today is chemo treatment #11, my 12th and final (for the time being) is January 26th. Today's meeting with Dr. V will include discussion about what next? The options are dwindling, that is not to say we don’t have options, it's just the number of them are lessening.

The current front runner is DES or Estrogen supplements. This has been shown to work over 50% of the time and lowered PSA up to 75% in some men (stats are from memory so don’t quote me). The side effects are breast enlargement but this can be alleviated by one pre-treatment of radiation to the breast bone. If we go down this path, I will certainly get the radiation treatment to avoid the use of the "manssiere" / "Bro" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR_zHBTU2ic&feature=related) watch the whole clip!

Beyond that, there are a few clinical trials we may pursue including Provenge, and a few that are in early stages. It seems most other trials involve further use of chemo and trial drugs. No decisions have been made yet...we have a lot to discuss, think over and pray about over the next several weeks.
So here's to 2009, may it bring good news to us and prosperity and good health to all of you!

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