Hismones 02/26/25

"What's it gonna be: self-injections or implant?" When urologists and radiation oncologists talk with you about saving your life, they're pretty careful and probably wise not to share too many details about the features of said future saved life. Removing all testosterone to stop cancer growth eliminates virtually all sex drive (and can affect function) during treatment and photon-bombing your reproductive area increasingly affects function over time, even after treatments end. At my age, odds of recovering function aren't high, and pill interventions may give a little help for now but will be ultimately inadequate. Long-term solutions are pretty serious. Tammy's being an angel but it's another issue to negotiate. Fortunately, my medical team includes urologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon, and ED specialist/surgeon (whose exam room is decorated with Formula 1 memorabilia, very cool). Having a manufacturer's implant model demonstrated was a bit of a surprise. All the team seem to be good people, but the radiation oncologist is the one overt Christian and the most optimistic. I have done a lot of reading and watching online, but regardless differing perspectives and opinions, I am developing a strong faith in my team, especially including those technicians who aim and administer daily radiation. My appreciation for the team accompanies my trust that the same God who has guided and guarded my life to this point has purposes and plans that are abundant and beyond my understanding, at least for now. Sometimes life makes more sense looking back. When hope is mentioned in the New Testament, it's in the form of assurance rather than wishful thinking. If you don't have that kind of hope yet, you can. I'm open to discuss any time.

Hismones 02/20/25

"Drink more water." "I don't care when you start drinking, just when you finish." The kind but strict and efficient technicians who administered my first radiation treatment this morning reaffirmed that I need to come in every weekday with a full bladder, which is tricky for an old guy who feels an ultimately irresistible urge to empty said bladder even before it's completely full. They tell me the full bladder helps reduce collateral tissue damage by pushing surrounding tissue out of the beams' target zone. So tomorrow, it means finishing a bottle of water no later than 7 A.M. to be ready for my 8:15 photon "torpedo" encounter. Along the way,Tammy is helping (suffering with?) me as I am attempting to try moving away from animal protein and fat. Our nephew and niece who prefer vegan recipes sent one for chili that is pretty good. I found a few other recipes on a plant-based meals website, but most are soups...one lentil,one fifteen-bean, and a few others. A former brother in law whose wife is surviving utilizing a plant-based diet while having stage 4 cancer for more than fifteen years sent several recommendations: a book, "How Not to Die" by Greger that addresses dietary support in combating various diseases and several videos including "Forks Over Knives" which chronicles several doctors and their patients' health journeys. It seems that a plant-based diet and consistent moderate exercise can do a great job of preventing, treating, or even reversing many of our modern illnesses. Now, to make better choices for dinner at friends' house tonight...and to remember my morning dose of water! P.S. I didn't feel anything at my treatment: a technician holds up a small towel while you drop your drawers and sit down on a table, then lie very still with your feet strapped in and grip a towel with both hands on your chest and elbows tucked in to make room for the table to move you inside the open CT device for treatment. The technicians disappear and the machinery starts moving.After a couple of minutes, the technicians come back into the room to encourage you to get dressed to make room for the next patient. Just 43 more?

Hismones 02/11/25

I'm really struggling with weight gain, or maybe not struggling enough. I've historically been a stress eater, and there's definitely stress associated with this disease and treatment, but I've read and am experiencing that hormone treatment is commonly linked with increased appetite and weight gain, and of course at just the time you need to be in your best physical condition. During 2020-22, I lost 40 pounds and got all my blood tests into the normal range, but now I've gained over half of that back. I was encouraged last night by attending a local support group that meets in the Moncrief Center, 400 Magnolia. It's a prostate cancer support group that meets the second Monday of the month, 5:30-7P. Robert.Hernandez@moncrief.com is the contact. (Search Facebook for "Fort Worth Prostate Cancer Support Group," clicking the Pages tab) There were 8 of us patients, 3 oncology nurses, and two of the men brought their wives (wives/partners are welcome). As one of the ladies commented, "This affects us a lot, too." "Gail" led the discussion,mostly about upcoming treatment protocols and answering questions. She has been working with prostate cancer patients for about a dozen years and was very complimentary about Dr. Jerry Barker of Texas Cancer Specialists, my radiation oncologist. Men were there who had been diagnosed as recently as 2024 and as long ago as the early 2000s, which gave me hope! I also learned of the North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition https://ntxpcacoalition.org/ (also on Facebook) which provides information and helps connect with support resources. There's also a movie (maybe on Prime with trailers available on YouTube) called The Silent Killer which focuses on prostate cancer and Black men's health. I've been watching a lot of Dr. Mark Scholz's videos via YouTube and highly recommend them. Tammy and I have an appointment in two weeks with an erectile dysfunction specialist, Dr. Sun, also associated with Texas Cancer Specialists but in their Arlington office off Cooper St. It seems the less attention given to sexual function during treatment, the less likely full recovery is afterward but there are helpful resources. I'm really grateful to be dealing with this during retirement rather than with a daily fulltime job or even worse, with children at home. Several people commented last night that there will come a day when prostate cancer isn't the first and last thought during waking hours.

Hismones 02/09/25

Peostate cancer feeds on animal fat and animal protein. I have work to do! PCRI interview with nutritionist Verne Verona: https://youtu.be/L9PE8a40wsk?si=-P5iHbgvYVbDY8AG Prostate Cancer nutrition specialist Verne Varona personal site: https://www.vernevarona.com/
Cancer Today article: https://www.cancertodaymag.org/winter-2024-2025/plant-power/?utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=February+11+2025+Cancer+Today+E-newsletter&utm_term=Read+More+in+Cancer+Today

Hismones 2/2/25

"Where could I go but to the forum?" and other resources... Friends recommended a couple of prostate cancer support forums which I have joined. Here are their links. Cancer Survivors Network, from the American Cancer Society: https://csn.cancer.org/categories/prostate?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4-y8BhC3ARIsAHmjC_Gr64HrmXh3UPu9ONkmX9bm0MHyCRSXvLC3fQovdvXZGggMoopm63QaAiCdEALw_wcB Healing Well, which seems to reflect perhaps deeper research and more technical descriptions: https://www.healingwell.com/community/login.aspx?f=35& One of the respondents to my posts recommended a Harvard School of Medicine alumnus and prostate cancer specialist's YouTube videos: (sample) https://youtu.be/H3aNfFpInVI?si=tqFl6oCqld4UqiZ5 (Dr. Mark Scholz) Prostate Cancer Research Institute (non-profit that also has a dedicated helpline): https://pcri.org/ PAN Foundation (financial assistance for treatment): https://www.panfoundation.org My Orgovyx grant is from them. All my preliminaries are complete. Radiation treatment begins February 20. I had a cardiology appointment Friday to adjust medications for adequate blood pressure control without the dizziness I've been having. I think we have a better game plan going forward. I try to remember that it's my health, not the doctors', and I need to be my own best advocate, speaking and/or acting up to express my health needs and desires. All the best!