Fortunately not a lot to update and that is a good thing. I met with my doctors and I was told that I was doing better than average especially given that I am having minimal side effects thus far. Your prayers and well wishes are clearly working. I even got to skip my weekly blood draw another good thing since I hate needles. So keep those positive vibes coming my way and I will keep my fingers crossed that on the remaining treatments I don't develop any new side effects.
As February approaches, my sights are set now on my last day of treatment, February 17. I can see and feel a degree of finality for this phase of the treatment process. Since cancer cells do not die immediately after treatment there is a 90 day period to allow the radiation to do its thing. Then I am checked at 90 day intervals twice. Then that shifts to a 6 month check and then I come back in 2 years to make sure my PSA level is going in the right direction. Given my early detection and the minute nature of the cancer cells, I should be OK.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
#25
I had treatment # 25 yesterday. I am doing fine. Also on Thursday’s I have my doctor’s appointment and the doctor says “I am doing very very good”. On Monday’s I get a weight check I have lost 5 pounds. On Wednesday’s it’s blood draw day and everything is reviewed on Thursday. I was feeling a bit fatigued on Wednesday so I went home early. I think is was due to lack of sleep while partying with Obama. You know I got it like that. Now I am good to go!
Interesting facts
Here are some interesting facts worth noting.
Did you know that the cancer of prostate is very often is not lethal? Did you know that some men never suffer the symptoms and actually have the disease? About 1 out of 6 American men will at some point be diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet only about 1 in every 35 will actually die of it.
Many prostate tumors are slow growing and low-grade, and if detected in its very early stages cure rates can be as high as 98% in some cases. Where the cancer has advanced beyond the prostate to nearby regions it is more difficult to cure but survival rates for many men can still be prolonged for years. Where the disease has metastasized that is spread to other organs like the liver, lungs and bones average survival time is 1- 3 years but many patients live longer some often dying of other causes.
If the cancer recurs after initial treatment and is still contained within the prostate, it can be cured. And even if it has spread beyond, hormone treatments for such recurrences will prolong life for many years.
Amazingly survival rates tend to get higher the longer a patient with advanced cancer lives. 2 years is the average survival rate for patients after diagnosis of prostate cancer advanced. 26 months is the average survival rate for patients with advanced prostate cancer who are still alive 2 years after diagnosis. 34 months is the average survival for patients in advanced prostate cancer stage who are still alive 5 years after diagnosis.
As far as death rates are concerned, only about 17% of men who have prostate cancer will die of it. In America each year approximately 234,460 men will be diagnosed with cancer of prostate and about 27,350 will die from it. The average life years lost form prostate cancer is 8.9 years.
And now finally the good news. Today, at all the stages of the disease, prostate cancer prognosis as concerns cure, survival and life expectancy has increased in the past 20 years from 67% to almost 100%.
Did you know that the cancer of prostate is very often is not lethal? Did you know that some men never suffer the symptoms and actually have the disease? About 1 out of 6 American men will at some point be diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet only about 1 in every 35 will actually die of it.
Many prostate tumors are slow growing and low-grade, and if detected in its very early stages cure rates can be as high as 98% in some cases. Where the cancer has advanced beyond the prostate to nearby regions it is more difficult to cure but survival rates for many men can still be prolonged for years. Where the disease has metastasized that is spread to other organs like the liver, lungs and bones average survival time is 1- 3 years but many patients live longer some often dying of other causes.
If the cancer recurs after initial treatment and is still contained within the prostate, it can be cured. And even if it has spread beyond, hormone treatments for such recurrences will prolong life for many years.
Amazingly survival rates tend to get higher the longer a patient with advanced cancer lives. 2 years is the average survival rate for patients after diagnosis of prostate cancer advanced. 26 months is the average survival rate for patients with advanced prostate cancer who are still alive 2 years after diagnosis. 34 months is the average survival for patients in advanced prostate cancer stage who are still alive 5 years after diagnosis.
As far as death rates are concerned, only about 17% of men who have prostate cancer will die of it. In America each year approximately 234,460 men will be diagnosed with cancer of prostate and about 27,350 will die from it. The average life years lost form prostate cancer is 8.9 years.
And now finally the good news. Today, at all the stages of the disease, prostate cancer prognosis as concerns cure, survival and life expectancy has increased in the past 20 years from 67% to almost 100%.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Treatment #20
Well after 20 treatments I am happy to say after #20 I am doing fine. The Tomo Therapy is working so far with only the for mentioned side effect which required more frequent visits to the latrine. Otherwise I am fine. I did however find out in my atempt to obtain more protein by drinking milk with Carnation Instant breakfast ( I hate milk) (Well not totally hate) but it is not my drink of choice. Anyway I am a little lactose intolerant. I also found out (via my dietitian) that 95% of all Blacks do not have the enzyme needed to digest the enzymes in milk. So I guess I am in the 95% group.
Anyway my next up date will be at #30. Well baring any surprises!! I will chat with you on January 30. Thanks to all of your prayers and best wishes.
Anyway my next up date will be at #30. Well baring any surprises!! I will chat with you on January 30. Thanks to all of your prayers and best wishes.
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