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From: Steve B on 12 Oct 2008 18:00
Since someone asked I thought I might bore you all with my PCA journal.

Feel free to ask any questions.

My Oncologist wants to start Taxotere every 3 weeks. I think he should
try it himself first. As you could guess I am not too keen on
taxotere. Makes your hair fall out and your fingernails rot, and those
are the good side effects.





Steve B PCD: age 57, Dx 2-2007
PSA History
5-2004 1.6
7-2005 3.1
9-2006 6.5
11-2006 9.6
TURSP Vol 35cc 2-2007

Bone Scan 3-2007 Positive hips, cervical thorax
MRI Pelvis 3-2007 Positive bone mets in ischium
MRI Cervical Spine Positive C7 Vertebrea

GS at local lab. 3-2007
3/3 cores R + GS(5,4) 80%PC
6/6 cores Center + GS(5,4) 80%PC
3/3 cores L + GS(5,4) 80%PC

CS T4Mb 3-2007

Radiation external beam for C7 on 7-2007
MRI Cervical Spine C7 reduced.11-2007

TURSP Vol 30cc 12-2007
Rx CHT 3-2007
Elligard each 3 months
Cassodex 150 mg
Zometa Infusion 4mg every month.

6-2008
Changed doctors
Lupron Injections on one month schedule.
Zometta Infusions every 3 months.
Reduced Cassodex to 50 mg/D
Added Avodart .5 mg/D



PSA Results
PSA .01 11-2007
PSA .01 1-2008
PSA .31 3-2008
PSA .38 4-2008
PSA 1.2 6-2008
PSA 1.5 6-2008
PSA 1.8 7-2008
PSA 2.8 8-2008
PSA 3.77 10-2008

Detailed Medical History:
5/1/2004 PSA 1.5
7/1/2005 PSA 3.1
9/1/2006 PSA 6.5
11/27/2006 PSA 9.6
1/3/2007 OV Consult Urologist
01/17/2007 Ultrasound 37 grams
01/18/2007 OV
01/20/2007 Lung X-Ray negative
02/21/2007 OV
02/26/2007 Prostate Biopsy
02/26/2007 Pca DX: Right 3 of 3 90% GS 9: Left 3 of 3 75% GS9:
Base 6 of 6 50% to 80% GS9: Perinural invasion +
03/05/2007 OV
3/7/2007 Blood OK
03/17/2007 CT Scan Ab and Pelvis <1 cm pelvis lymph nodes
03/26/2007 Elligard 1 MO
03/27/2007 Bone Scan + Left Ischium Sternal Notch
03/29/2007 OV
03/30/2007 MRI Pelvis + Right and Left Ischium
04/03/2007 MRI Cervical Sp + C7
04/04/2007 OV
04/06/2007 MRI Sternum + Sternoclavicular Joint
04/10/2007 OV
04/10/2007 Blood OK
04/11/2007 Elligard 1 MO
04/23/2007 Consult Oncology
04/27/2007 Blood OK
05/02/2007 Zometta
05/10/2007 - Radiation Oncologist
06/01/2007 Radiation C7 Spine 3600 GY 18 MV Photons
06/06/2007 Zometta
06/18/2007 Elligard 3 MO
07/05/2007 PSA <.1
07/05/2007 Blood OK
07/11/2007 Zometta
08/15/2007 Zometta
08/23/2007 OV
08/23/2007 Lipid High Thyroid OFF
09/05/2007 CT Scan Chest, Ab, Pelvis, Pelvic Lymph OK, Sclerotic
lesions in L3, L4, Iliac
09/11/2007 MRI Cevical Spine Reduction of C7 Lesion
09/13/2007 OV Adjust Thyroid
09/13/2007 Blood OK TSH High
09/19/2007 Zometta
09/24/2007 Blood OK TSH High
09/24/2007 Elligard 3 MO
10/02/2007 Blood OK
10/02/2007 OV Adjust Thyroid
10/18/2007 Severe Bone Pain in Sternum
10/18/2007 Blood OK TSH OK
10/24/2007 Zometta
10/26/2007 Bone Scan + Sternal Notch
10/29/2007 Radiation Oncologist
10/29/2007 Consult Oncology
10/29/2007 PSA <.1 Uric Acid Low
11/01/2007 Radiation to Sternum and Colar Bone due to severe pain
11/19/2007 Consult Oncology
11/23/2007 OV Pain in Back
11/26/2007 OV Urologist
11/29/2007 OV Followup
11/29/2007 Blood OK
12/05/2007 Zometta
12/21/2007 Radiation Oncologist
12/26/2007 Elligard
12/27/2007 Ultrasound of Prostate size 26 grams
12/28/2007 MRI Thorax L3, L4, L5 Suspicious
12/28/2007 MRI Lumbar C7, T8, T10 Suspicious
01/03/2008 OV Followup
01/07/2008 Zometta
01/09/2008 OV Urologist
01/10/2008 OV Followup
01/10/2008 BLOOD OK
02/14/2008 OV Followup
02/14/2008 Blood OK
02/20/2008 Zometta
03/03/2008 OV Followup
04/02/2008 PSA .31
04/07/2008 Eligard 1 MO
04/09/2008 Zometta
04/10/2008 Bone Scan None Detected Servical Collarbone
04/11/2008 Radioligist followup
04/21/2008 PSA .38
04/21/2008 OV Pain in Groin
04/21/2008 OV Urologist
04/24/2008 Cystophaphy of Bladder Slight narrowing of ureathera in
prostate region
05/05/2008 Urodyanamic Study
05/07/2008 Eligard 1 MO
05/08/2008 OV Followup
05/08/2008 BLOOD Ok
05/19/2008 Zometta
6/3/2008 Dr. C Initial Consult New oncologist
PSA 1.2 PAP 2.1, CEA 1.8, Prolactin all in normal range.
Testerone <20
Very good consultation.
Zometta to be given every 3 months
Dr. C to review biopsy slides.
6/9/2008 Lupron 1 month injection
Reduce Casodex to 50mg from 150mg
Start Avodart 0.5 mg per day
7-7-08 Dr. C PSA 1.5 Lupron 1 month DC Casodex
8-4-08 PSA 1.8 lupron 1 month Zometa
9-5-08 PSA 2.7 Lopron 1 month PAP 4 CEA 4 Added Nilutamide
10-4-08 PSA 3.77 Lupron 1 month





--
Steve B
Date of Birth 12-1950 Dx date 2-2007:CS=T4N1Mb, age57:1st measured PSA 1.6, 5-2004:PSA at DX 9.6 , gleason 9, psa doubling time at Dx 3.5 mo: Treatment ADT Lupron | Searching for a cure for androgen independent PCa | Last measured PSA 3.77 10/4/08, last psa doubling time 3.5 month, T< 20
Esitmated survival time 2 years.

This disease sucks...

From: Steve Jordan on 12 Oct 2008 20:49
On October 12, Steve B wrote:

> Since someone asked I thought I might bore you all with my PCA journal.

Thanks for the information. It's similar to my "PCa Digest" and helps to
track what's happening.

> My Oncologist wants to start Taxotere every 3 weeks. I think he should
> try it himself first. As you could guess I am not too keen on
> taxotere. Makes your hair fall out and your fingernails rot, and those
> are the good side effects.

Well, maybe the choice is this stark: Taxotere (docetaxel) or death. An
ugly one.

There are too many horror stories about Taxotere. True, it can be
difficult. The famous Dr. Charles E. (Snuffy) Myers has referred to it
as "poison control." (Well, sez I, exercise control of the poison and
reap the reward)

Here is a link to an essay by Richard Lam, MD, one of the few and
brilliant PCa medical oncologists. I know that Dr. Strum, mentioned
previously by Steve B, knows him very well:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Lam_TaxotereSideEffects.html

There are folks on this list and others who seem to me to take perverse
pleasure in mooing about this or that SE of treatments (txs). I note
that they never, ever, propose a solution -- a means of alleviating
whatever it is (however rare it may be). This, IMO, is dishonest and,
worse, can lead to avoidable suffering.

Thus the present case: Steve B has evidently heard horror stories about
SEs of chemotherapy, but not one word about how to deal with them.

It seems to this amateur that Steve B is in great danger and should
consult with expert medial oncologists AND NOT ONLINE AMATEURS, in order
to preserve his life.

Regards,

Steve J
From: Alan Meyer on 13 Oct 2008 13:53
Hello Steve B.

I'm sorry to hear about your condition.

There's not much I can add to Steve Jordan's advice except that at least
some oncologists believe that earlier chemotherapy does more good
than later chemotherapy and provides longer life extension.

I would also suggest that you consider enrolling in a clinical
trial of one of the experimental therapies. You can find out about
clinical trials at the following websites:

Lots of info about prostate cancer, with links to clinical trial
information:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

Simple searches for clinical trials of all types:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

If one of the trials that you find looks interesting to you, call
the phone number listed for the trial. You'll probably be put in
touch with a nurse, resident or intern who can explain the trial,
answer any questions you have, and tell you whether you might be
a candidate for the trial. Trials are often free, and you will
get a free examination and consultation before you are accepted
with a doctor who is probably a real expert on prostate cancer.

Best of luck to you.

Alan
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