Prostate Cancer - A Personal Journey

[ChiFlyer]

I am 75 years old. I was diagnosed with Stage-1  Prostate cancer about 7 years ago. It took 5 years of biopsies before the cancer was located despite generally rising PSAs. The cancer was found to be very localized and in an unusual location in one segment of the prostate. My Urologist and I agreed on a watchful waiting approach. That has been successful for 7 years.

@Zeb has posted a few articles in the "Health" thread on this topic that IMO are worth reading. I responded to several of his posts positively. I am opening this thread because my response to my personal situation has changed. Perhaps the info from my evolving personal experience will help someone to think things through. I know again from personal experience that it is a very unsettling call finding out that one has cancer.

I am not a doctor and everyone's risk to this disease is different. If you are over 40 and are not getting an annual physical including a PSA done, I suggest that you reconsider that. I waited until I was 50 until a friend called me a damn fool "rightly so" for not doing this. That may have extended my life by 20 years, as something was found.

On my recent trip to the US I had a battery of tests done to assess the state of my cancer. These included PSA, MRI, and a biopsy. The short story was that the cancer had continued to advance slowly and I was borderline for starting treatment.

Upon returning to Thailand I reviewed the results with my Thai Urologist at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. He agreed with the borderline analysis, but suggested that I consult with an Oncologist. I have done so and decided to proceed with an SBRT Radiation Treatment to try and end this ongoing cycle of MRIs and Biopsys and more importantly put an end to the worry of the possible metastasize possibilities.

An SBRT radiation treatment cycle involves several steps.

• I will travel to Bangkok to do a petscan (deeper than an MRI I think) for the Oncologist to so a more detailed analysis.
• I will require two minor outpatient surgeries in Pattaya to do a hyydrogel (protects the rectum from the radiation) and an Implant to better guide the radiation to the cancer.
• I will then need to spend two weeks in Bangkok for the actual radiation treatment, which is 5 treatments with one every 3 days.

I have been told that there is a 90% chance that this will resolve the cancer.

I shall see. The estimated total cost for this, including Bangkok travel, is $20,000 US. If I were to travel to the US my insurance would cover most of this, but the US travel cost would be about $30,000.

I have a great wife who will want to see me through this here in Thailand. I will likely start the radiation treatment in mid-January. I want to enjoy the holidays without the side effects of the radiation and the Mrs needs a little family time before I/we get into this.

More later,

CF

[Stillearly]

thanks for taking the time to post , I'm sure this is a subject a lot will find useful 

Very best of luck to you !! 👍

 

[boydeste]

45 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

thanks for taking the time to post , I'm sure this is a subject a lot will find useful 

Very best of luck to you !! 👍

 

Ditto from me.

Best of luck and keep us updated. 

[Zeb]

5 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

I will likely start the radiation treatment in mid-January. I want to enjoy the holidays without the side effects of the radiation

Thanks for posting this ChiFlyer and all the best of wishes for a speedy and successful course of treatment.

[Lantern]

Here in Oz we get sent a test kit every two years after reaching a certain age. My last one in 2022 showed signs of a few things that needed attention. All sorted with only one night in Hospital. Due for another check next month.

[Pumpuynarak]

9 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

but the US travel cost would be about $30,000.

Good luck, this seems rather high ?

[Captain_B]

Jan 23 l had a wellman checkup in Roiet. Also revealed an elevated PSA reading for the first time.  Antibiotics for a month to rule out infection causing the reading. Then MRI scan revealing a 5mm lesion.

Biopsi confirmed cancerous. Given options of surgical removal or radiation. Oncologist stressed it was caught early and could be cured. 

Paid to jump the queue and operation on a sunday, now July 2023.

 

Next check 18th Nov but last one PSA was 0.009

No decent erections anymore but alive and cancer free.

Maybe i could have waited a while longer but as OP says, the time when that Doctor tells you you have cancer it is quite a shock. 

The total cost for all this was around £7000

I could have gone back to UK and had free NHS treatment but would probably still be queuing now! 

 

Edited November 11 by Captain_B

[fygjam]

39 minutes ago, Captain_B said:

Maybe i could have waited a while longer but as OP says, the time when that Doctor tells you you have cancer it is quite a shock. 

What’s in a name? The push to rebrand the most common type of cancer

Doctors are debating whether low-risk prostate cancers should no longer be called cancer, with a group of international experts suggesting many cases are “a normal aspect of ageing”.

https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/what-s-in-a-name-the-push-to-rebrand-the-most-common-type-of-cancer-20241101-p5kn3v.html

 

[ChiFlyer]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Good luck, this seems rather high ?

BC airplane flights, one month in a hotel, one month car rental, eating out most of the time, taxis for some medical treatments, probably some insurance deductibles ~ $30,000

[Jambo]

1 hour ago, Captain_B said:

I could have gone back to UK and had free NHS treatment but would probably still be queuing now! 

 

Almost certainly.

I waited two and one half years for my hip replacement operation in Edinburgh by which time I was taking liquid morphine twice a day for the pain. Even then, I was "lucky" to take advantage of a cancellation.

The poor sod I replaced probably died waiting.

I had medical insurance when I originally settled in Thailand, but it came with exclusions on both legs due to previous football/running injuries.

[thegrogmonster]

5 hours ago, Lantern said:

Here in Oz we get sent a test kit every two years after reaching a certain age. My last one in 2022 showed signs of a few things that needed attention. All sorted with only one night in Hospital. Due for another check next month.

Is that the bowel cancer test kit?

[fforest]

I myself would try loads of alternative treatments before radiation and chemo.....

No one wants to talk about this but...Honesty... Radiation and Chemo dont exactly have a stellar track record of healing people....

 

 

Edited November 11 by fforest

[ChiFlyer]

8 hours ago, fforest said:

I myself would try loads of alternative treatments before radiation and chemo.....

No one wants to talk about this but...Honesty... Radiation and Chemo dont exactly have a stellar track record of healing people....

 

 

There are many types of radiation treatment. Chemo is a much more radical treatment and is used usually when the cancer has metastasized.

The type of radiation I am looking to do is called SBRT. It is reported to have a 90% success rate for cases like mine.

 

[ChiFlyer]

14 hours ago, Captain_B said:

Jan 23 l had a wellman checkup in Roiet. Also revealed an elevated PSA reading for the first time.  Antibiotics for a month to rule out infection causing the reading. Then MRI scan revealing a 5mm lesion.

Biopsi confirmed cancerous. Given options of surgical removal or radiation. Oncologist stressed it was caught early and could be cured. 

Paid to jump the queue and operation on a sunday, now July 2023.

 

Next check 18th Nov but last one PSA was 0.009

No decent erections anymore but alive and cancer free.

Maybe i could have waited a while longer but as OP says, the time when that Doctor tells you you have cancer it is quite a shock. 

The total cost for all this was around £7000

I could have gone back to UK and had free NHS treatment but would probably still be queuing now! 

 

Interesting info. I have a few questions.

Did you have surgery or radiation treatment? In either case, I have read that ERD is a common side effect, but that it often dissipates in 6 months or so. Sounds like you are coming up on the 6 months. Does Viagra etc. help with this?

Also, my oncologist is recommending follow on hormone treatments (lowers one's testosterone), which I assume will contribute to the ERD factor. Did you do this?

In any case I realize that I can not exchange fluids with the Mrs. for several months after the radiation treatment or I would risk making her ill. I would not want to do that to any woman.

 

[Yessongs]

Ask Steve Jobs about "alternative treatments" and how did that work out. 

Did Steve Jobs believe in alternative medicine?

 

 

Today it was announced that Apple pioneer Steve Jobs chose to pursue alternative therapies to treat his pancreatic cancer, a decision he came to regret. After this announcement people began issuing judgments of how "such a smart man could make such a stupid choice." Harsh.Oct 21, 2554 BE

[lazarus]

11 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

There are many types of radiation treatment. Chemo is a much more radical treatment and is used usually when the cancer has metastasized.

The type of radiation I am looking to do is called SBRT. It is reported to have a 90% success rate for cases like mine.

Having chosen to follow sound medical advice, you have a excellent chance of moving forward with a healthy life.

I have several friends who are in the same situation (radiation for Stage 4 prostate cancer), and I wish them -- and you -- good health!

[redwood13]

16 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

Interesting info. I have a few questions.

Did you have surgery or radiation treatment? In either case, I have read that ERD is a common side effect, but that it often dissipates in 6 months or so. Sounds like you are coming up on the 6 months. Does Viagra etc. help with this?

 

 

A mate wrote me following having prostate cancer surgery: 

"Some ED and incontinence and Viagra or Cialis don’t really help with the ED, but injectable prostaglandin sure does."

[Glasseye]

I have been waiting for the time to give your post (thread) a proper read.

First I would like to say... thank you.

Secondly it sounds like you are doing the best to keep a handle on it and you are in good hands both with your care here and back in the States.

 

The treatments continue to improve over the years for various cancers and other afflictions. I trust the quality of health care here as much as The University of Chicago, Northwestern, or even Mayo Clinic. The support care here even better.

Stay on it buddy.

[Glasseye]

11 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Ask Steve Jobs about "alternative treatments" and how did that work out. 

Did Steve Jobs believe in alternative medicine?

 

 

Today it was announced that Apple pioneer Steve Jobs chose to pursue alternative therapies to treat his pancreatic cancer, a decision he came to regret. After this announcement people began issuing judgments of how "such a smart man could make such a stupid choice." Harsh.Oct 21, 2554 BE

If I am not mistaken pancreatic cancer is one of the worst. Difficult to treat and takes you out quick.

I don't know the full story on Jobs. But, he may have figured the odds weren't that great to begin with and rolled the dice.

 

[ChiFlyer]

6 hours ago, redwood13 said:

A mate wrote me following having prostate cancer surgery: 

"Some ED and incontinence and Viagra or Cialis don’t really help with the ED, but injectable prostaglandin sure does."

I most certainly had to Google prostaglandin.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostaglandin

After reading the wiki, I have no idea if this stuff is good, bad, or indifferent. Anyone else have experience with using this?

Sounds like this may be internet crap to my suspicious mind.

 

[ChiFlyer]

1 hour ago, Glasseye said:

If I am not mistaken pancreatic cancer is one of the worst. Difficult to treat and takes you out quick.

I don't know the full story on Jobs. But, he may have figured the odds weren't that great to begin with and rolled the dice.

 

To the best of my knowledge your assessment of pancreatic cancer is correct.

[Glasseye]

1 hour ago, ChiFlyer said:

I most certainly had to Google prostaglandin.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostaglandin

After reading the wiki, I have no idea if this stuff is good, bad, or indifferent. Anyone else have experience with using this?

Sounds like this may be internet crap to my suspicious mind.

 

Seems to be some kind of hormone.

Check out Mayo Clinic terms of medical definitions....

https://www.mayo.edu/research/search/search-results?q=postaglandin

[Lantern]

On 11/11/2024 at 2:34 PM, thegrogmonster said:

Is that the bowel cancer test kit?

Yes and Prostrate.

[galenkia]

16 hours ago, Glasseye said:

If I am not mistaken pancreatic cancer is one of the worst. Difficult to treat and takes you out quick.

I don't know the full story on Jobs. But, he may have figured the odds weren't that great to begin with and rolled the dice.

 

That’s what my sister had. Was diagnosed terminal 10 months after original diagnosis, then passed away just under 9 months later.

Apparantley most people last less then two years unless caught very early.

[Glasseye]

32 minutes ago, galenkia said:

That’s what my sister had. Was diagnosed terminal 10 months after original diagnosis, then passed away just under 9 months later.

Apparantley most people last less then two years unless caught very early.

 

Lost a good friend who suffered through it. She didn't last six months. Incredibly painful.