That is the big question I am dealing with this week. I have been so pleased with my recent success with lowering my PSA, but the last test has reversed the trend. My PSA has shown a drastic rise. It went from just under .60 to almost 2.0 within a two week period!
As we all know that number has a control over our entire emotional life. It is one of the major indices of our disease progression and I am afraid that it isn’t good news for me. If indeed the chemo has stopped being effective, I feel that I am running out of options.
If you recall from my last post I decided on a radical, unorthodox treatment move, I elected to stop hormone therapy (normallly one continues hormonal therapy while taking chemotherapy) with the hope that I could wake up the cancer cells and kill them. This seemed to work for a while, but it looks like I will be going back on what I call anti-hormone treatment.
I am scheduled to go to Duke University on the 13th of April to discuss the possibilty of participating in a clinical trial. At this time I will explore what trials I can get into that will also help me with my battle. When we had met previously in December, my Oncologist at Duke, mentioned that she felt that chemo was going to be a stepping stone to the trials. I guess that she was correct, it seems she has a game plan in place to keep the PSA under 10 (my goal). At the current velocity, it won’t take long to get there.
The nueropathy in my hands and feet has escalated some this week causing me a lot of pain. Along with the news of my rise in PSA, I haven’t exactly been in top form.
Coping has in fact become an ongoing problem. I continue to rely on family and friends as much as possible, but I am also seeking professional help next week. I know that seems like a very private issue, but I want to be completely open in this blog as it is also a great form of therapy. I also want you to know that you are not alone in your thoughts and frustrations as you too battle this disease.
I was recently on a trip to my hometown in Florida and was able to reunite with some friends. I was pleased as some of the relationships seemed to pick up where they ended many years ago. This was a good thing for me. As I have said before the support of family and good friends is important and I feel I can now open up to more people which has been truly helpful. Their words of encouragement also help me get through the tough days.
Scott Goodwin
Scott, who is battling advanced prostate cancer, has been dropping in occasionally and sharing his thoughts and clinical experiences since he first started chemotherapy. I am saddened by this current turn of events and I know that we all wish him and his family well. Scott has been generous in his willingness to share, thank you Scott –
David Emerson, another great model for us, has also been sharing his experiences battling advanced prostate cancer. You can read about his experiences on his blog- check my resources section to the right and click on “David Emerson’s the Big C.”
Joel
Scott, I think you’ve made a good decision to pursue a clinical trial. I started a clinical trial at Dana-Farber in Boston 2 months ago, after my initial chemo regimen (taxotere) failed after 8 months. I’m currently on Mitaxantrone and Ixabepilone. Both are FDA approved, but haven’t been used in combination. Initial results are promising. Have courage. It’s an up and downhill battle. God speed!
HiScott,
I am praying for you and your family. What your doing in this blog is brave, important and generous.
See you soon.
Love Becky
Hello Scott,
I’m sorry to hear of your ongoing dilemma. I can only ask though have you considered all your options or have you got yourself locked into the conventional way of medical thinking? I too have a very aggressive prostate cancer, grade 9 Gleason, and I’m now into my third year. Some years ago I lost a kidney to cancer and in 2000 was given 12 months to live with “misdiagnosed” liver and lung cancer.So I have been through the system a number of times.
Having declined all treatment options, none of which would likely improve my life span potential, I entered the watchful waiting phase but rather than sit around and wait for something to happen I actively researched the more natural form of treatments, not only for attacking my cancer but equally importantly, building up and enhancing my immune system. As a consequence,I developed my blog to share my experiences.
I am doing very nicely, without subjecting my body and mind to drugs and other poisons which have no proven. long term, benefit. Many a noted cancer specialist has said that prostate cancer is often times better left alone as treatment shows no actual benefit.That particularly applies to aggressive prostate cancer in older people like me, at 70 years.
I guess I would see my principal asset as being in charge of my own health and, rightly or wrongly, to be able to make my own decisions and change my treatment regimen according to perceived results and also, relative to my research findings. Moreover, it gives me great peace of mind.
I trust the above gives a little food for thought. Good luck to you Scott.