Posted on 10/05/2025 1:58:15 PM PDT by null and void
I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer. Now that I’ve got your attention, the prognosis is very good, with treatment I have a 95% chance of surviving it for 15 years. That doesn’t say I won’t croak of something else, but that it won’t be the cancer!
It’s prostate cancer, very early detection (insert Public Service Message here, PSA test detected it when it was really small. Guys? Get one!). Lump confirmed by MRI, cancer and lack of metastasizing confirmed by PET scan.
There are several treatment options, surgery, radiation, chemical castration, etc. I’ve ruled out the last one! I’ve already had two surgical procedures, UroLift and TURP, I’m going for something different this time.
Since testosterone is like Miracle-Gro to prostate cancer I’ll be getting shots to block it starting Tuesday. I ‘get to’ experience menopause, oh joy. Don’t be surprised if I start posting in soprano about my hot flashes... I should recover normal testosterone levels within six months after the treatment.
The technology for radiation therapy has vastly improved. Rather than emission from a radioisotope they now use a precisely focused beam from a linear accelerator to do pinpoint irradiation, from multiple angles, minimizing the exposure to surrounding tissues. Even then they further minimize the exposure of the rectum (which touches and practically nestles the prostate) by a one-time injection of a ‘hydrogel’ to provide physical separation. The hydrogel is slowly absorbed by the body but preserves adequate spacing for the course of treatment.
The course of treatment is very small doses done every weekday for 45 days. Total exposure is about 5 minutes each day.
Six months of treatment, two months of testosterone blocker, a bit less than two months of radiation and testosterone blocker, and a final two months of testosterone blocker.
Follow up of periodic PSA test to verify no recurrence.
Easy-peasy.
So of course I have to make it more complicated. Fenbendazole and Ivermectin have shown promise in a few studies as have select vitamins and other supplements, so after talking to my urologist, I’ve started Fenben and IVM and such already.
prayers up for complete recovery.
glad it was found early
Prayers up, now and continuing. Please keep us posted.
Oh, re: hot flashes: They’re called power surges now.
I’ll report my first power surge...
Sending Prayers.
I’ll be waiting with bated breath (and you know what that does to my pH).
Good luck. I’m happy for the early diagnosis.
Had stage three stomach cancer at seventy. Strong chemo, gastrectomjy and six years later still cancer free.
This getting old shit is tough.
It ain't for sissies!
UPDATE!
I’m now an official cancer patient, got my first treatment yesterday.
Implanting gold dot fiducials near my prostate to serve as targets to positing the beam.
Inserting a hydrogel spacer between my prostate and rectum to move the rectum away from the radiation paths
Got my first ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) shots of -who names these drugs???- Firmagon. Firm A Gone, really???
All procedures done by needle injections under local anesthesia. Some minimal discomfort during the procedure.
The Firmagon (snicker) is a liquid that gels up under the skin to slowly release the medication over a full month. Some discomfort from the resulting lumps in my belly.
Longest needles I’ve ever seen. Watched the belly injections, the bottom ones were around the hump, so I couldn’t kibitz...
We’re praying for you, Nully!
Much love and prayers coming your way, nully, hang tough, you got this!
Sorry to assume your gender, prostate-possessing person.
Praying for you brother! Your lighthearted post is inspirational. God speed!
Enjoy the Ride Amigo!
.
I had a bone Marrow biopsie
Today-—Chemo this Past year of ten
Cycles. Biopsie to see how Well
It’s worked.
.
Cute Nurses are a plus!
I want Taco 🌮 Bell 🔔
Oh and.....
PRAYERS UP BROTHER
✝️✝️✝️🙏🙏🙏🛐🛐🛐
Good luck.
Prayers for you.
You are being very brave! Prayers continuing....
Hoping for the best for you!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.