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.
Keeping you in my prayers, FRiend.
I admire your courage.
Saying a prayer for you Nully.
having the right attitude counts for a lot.
had cancer twice, prostate the second time with targeted radiation two years ago. First time surgery, they like to have cut me in half removing lympth nodes after removing one of my teesticles after coming back from Nam... I try to enjoy every day.
although sometimes I wonder what is taking so long.
keep us posted my friend.
Turned 79 this year. sixty years since my first occurance so they call me a survivor !!!
As you know, you are daily in my prayers. Of course, I have Someone Who hears them.
Thanks for the update and prayers are offered in turn. The war is many troop movements and battles. May they all be both tolerable and effective.
Best of luck to you, Nully!
One of my wife’s best friends (about 39 years now!) just learned that she’s got cancer on her kidney and they are developing a plan. We are praying for her.
Well that doesn’t sound like a day at the park. Prayers.
CC
My friend’s husband went through the same procedure. It turned very well for him. So all the best to you to put the cancer in remission. Stay strong.
Hey Nully, thanks for the update. Sounds like a barrel of monkeys.
Prayers up for full and speedy recovery. Those of us in the prostated cohort are keeping track of you because we know that either a) there by the grace of God go I, or b) there I go too.
I've got some serious BPH going on so my PSA is elevated and peeing is an adventure in frustration, but no cancer yet. I'm 73 and at this point if cancer shows up, hopefully something else can take me out first.
Keep the updates coming. We're all pulling for you. (Is that okay to say in this context?)
Praying for you everyday; may the cancer diagnosis become null and void.
Prayers for you.🙏🙂
“We blasted him with Ralbdathor 9000 and issue 3mmg of Ghlorthigulator J!”
Yeah, the naming is.... Ugh.
❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️
Longest needles I've ever seen.
,,, sounds like it's done similar to a biopsy. Well, at least you're getting sorted. One year ago today since I finished my thirty nine days of radiotherapy. Thoughts and prayers are with you from a long way south of the border.
Very much like a biopsy, but even less painful.
Prayers up! Way up! Way up on high! 🙏 🤲
My grandfather passed from recurrent prostate cancer. You’ll be an old lady for a while, but it will be well worth it.
Thanks nully. Great news! 👍🙏
As long as I don’t need new pronouns...
Prayers for you, Nully. May the treatment be effective & eradicate every cancer cell!
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