Hismones 5/21/26

"Die with one condition or live with other(s)?" I received the wonderful confirmation on Monday that I am approved to discontinue Orgovyx after 18 months at the end of June. In that regard, I am extremely hopeful and looking forward, starting my last month of that medication with tomorrow's dose. I did receive some disappointing news yesterday from my gastroenterologist: the radiation that did such a great job of "nuke-ing" the cancer cells did permanent damage to my rectum: the radiation proctitis he is treating will never completely heal and I'll likely cycle on and off medications to help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea, bowel frequency, and bowel urgency. I have found so far in life that no medical treatment of serious disease is 100% effective; there's always compromise in function but typically an improvement over leaving it untreated. Psyllium and probiotic greatly reduced the diarrhea, sucralfate enemas stopped the small amount of bleeding, and mesalamine suppositories reduced bowel frequency from about six times daily to the current 3-4. Unfortunately, there seems no control for flatulence despite taking two maximum strength (250 mg) GasEx daily. I may be excusing myself from time to time during social gatherings. My ulcer and esophagitis are improved with Prilosec which he wants me to keep taking and will continue prescribing the enemas and suppositories as needed. My digestive system is left with something rather inconvenient but not dangerous. Finishing Orgovyx at the end of June, I should notice sometime in September whether Testosterone is returning, bringing with it sexual function, energy, strength, loss of hot flashes, body hair, better weight control, and improved blood levels. I'm cautiously optimistic, but celebrating for now that oral medication will be done in another month and will be discontinued until or unless my quarterly PSA tests indicate otherwise. God is good and the state of the art in medicine continues evolving.