Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Sep 7, 2026
Are you in DelMarVa?? Reserve Wednesday night, Sep 16 for an AnCan get-together. We’ll meet for a ‘dutch’ dinner in the Chevy Chase area – location TBD. If you have not received an email invitation and would like to attend, please drop a note to boykin@ancan.org. Partners/spouses welcome!
And if you’re in Los Angeles or going to PCRI Sep 18-20, please reach out to Bill Franklin as we may hold an AnCan meetup.
Substack is coming to AnCan… or maybe AnCan is coming to Substack. We’ll be posting the best of all our Reminders. Watch our for more details.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: Severe radiation cystitis interferes with treatment plans
Topics Discussed
Was this Newbie really a 5+4 at Dx in 2010?; RT done – now to HT and what next?; crippling RT cystitis changes PrCa treatment plans; could Pluvicto be an option for mHSPC Gent; extensive initial RT preferred; why can’t RO prescribe HT?; move forward with salvage RT and adjust LHRH; muscle cramps; move to CoH, Duarte makes difference; does Pluvicto need prior hydration infusion?; surprise bone Bx – somatic sequencing may take time; RT finished – what to expect during doublet HT?; is screen for blood clot or variant PrCa?
Chat
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 5:17 PM
877-582-7011 tech support
AnCan–John A sent: 5:18 PM
thanks Jeff and Jim. try that Gary
Gary P sent: 5:36 PM
The second one sent by you. Just got off phone. Thanks very much.
Damon I thought you said HDR rather than low dose brachy, but I might have misheard?
Gary Martin sent: 7:39 PM
I’ve heard the FDG PET scans and the biomarkers including LDH, Chromogranin A, NSE, and CEA are often tracked where PSA-discordant progression may be suspected.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Sep 1, 2026
Are you in DelMarVa?? Reserve Wednesday night, Sep 16 for an AnCan get-together. We’ll meet for a ‘dutch’ dinner in the Chevy Chase area – location TBD. If you have not received an email invitation and would like to attend, please drop a note to boykin@ancan.org. Partners/spouses welcome!
Substack is coming to AnCan… or maybe AnCan is coming to Substack. We’ll be posting the best of all our Reminders. Watch our for more details.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER… AnCan Heart Group – new support group for all things cardio and open to all! To sign up for Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. For ProsCard mailing list, please write to dr.john@ancan.org.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: 1) when your pituitary goes dormant 2) is debulking the primary right?
Topics Discussed
Stable disease but treatment leads to one atrophied kidney; is a GU med onc needed at this juncture?; pituitary never recovered post prednisone/abi – what next?; pros and cons of RT debulking for higher volume denovo Mx Gents; Tony Fig’s shoulder surgery; RT cystitis causes hospitalization and deferral of clinical trial; is Testosterone replacement appropriate?; heart issues defer advocating for a PSMA update
Chat
Pierre D., Olean NY sent: 3:11 PM
$50 \hr
Alfredo in Wimberley, TXsent: 3:55 PM
gadolinium
jeff wood sent: 4:04 PM
What are the repercussions of debulking?
RJ Smith (Seattle) sent: 4:07 PM
Standard side-effects and long-term risks of side-effects from the radiation.
Len Sierra sent: 4:20 PM
The Bardo Thodol – Tibetan Book of the Dead — kudos to Dr. John!
If you know your family carries or is at risk for a germline/inhetited mutation, the game changes. It may not be a parent, sibling, or child that creates concern…watch out for aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, even grandparents! Genetic Counselor and AnCan Advisory Board Member, Lindsey Byrne, MSCGC from NCCN/NCI The James CCC at Ohio State University, will lead you through the additional considerations to keep in mind if you face that situation. Including where to look and how to get others to test. Alongside her, we will have Dr. Pamela Munster, now at Stanford, who will present and discuss. We’ll also have a panel featuring some faces you are sure to recognize!
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, August 26th, 2026
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics, Telix, and Foundation Medicine.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Aug 25, 2026
Substack is coming to AnCan… or maybe AnCan is coming to Substack. We’ll be posting the best of all our Reminders. Watch our for more details.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER… AnCan Heart Group – new support group for all things cardio and open to all! To sign up for Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. For ProsCard mailing list, please write to rd@ancan.org.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: We burst his bubble that advanced prostate cancer can be cured! 😕
Topics Discussed
Newbie #1 skirts triplet but discuss debulking; Newbie #2 encouraged to rethink surgery decision; PSA falls from HT and RT right ahead; whaddya mean, there’s no cure!?!; RT ‘torture’ (really???) vs ADT for life; GUMO will consider E2; weird disease needs a 2nd opinion; Orgovyx not worth $700 for this Gent; walking helps restore muscle loss; Orgovyx produces different hot flashes; changing ARSI before Pluvicto may rock the boat; personal evaporative cooler demo
Chat
AnCan Barniskis – rick sent: 3:10 PM
Dr. John is at a medical appointment, and Len is on his way home.
AnCan Barniskis – rick sent: 3:28 PM
Orgovyx
AnCan Barniskis – rick sent: 3:35 PM
in that case, we won’t add you to the heart group unless you wish?
Here is a more recent reference https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/mas/news/a-new-era-in-prostate-cancer-surgery-retzius-sparing-technique-delivers-life-changing-results-2941449
Jim Marshall, Vet Sup Grp. Moderator sent: 4:07 PM
Did 5 years of ADT + Abiraterone and tolerated it quite well. jim
Alfredo in Wimberley, TX sent: 4:09 PM
What did the recent JAMA Oncology ProtecT study show? A 2025 secondary analysis looked at 15-year outcomes in men with localized prostate cancer and compared those with cribriform-positive disease to those with cribriform-negative disease. I The findings were important: Among men with cribriform-positive prostate cancer, the 15-year risk of metastasis was 25% with active monitoring, 26% with surgery, and 8% with radiotherapy plus short-term hormone therapy. Among men with cribriform-negative disease, the metastasis rates were much lower: 7% with active monitoring, 4% with surgery, and 3% with radiotherapy. Overall, cribriform-positive disease was linked to a significantly higher risk of metastasis, while outcomes for cribriform-negative disease were favorable across treatment groups.
Bill Lawler sent: 4:45 PM
Dr. Atish Choudury, Dana Farber
Bill Lawler sent: 4:49 PM
What time?
Jeff Marchi – San Francisco sent: 4:49 PM
3pm pacific
Robert sent: 4:53 PM
My update is not critical I can wait til next week.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Aug 17, 2026
Substack is coming to AnCan… or maybe AnCan is coming to Substack. We’ll be posting the best of all our Reminders. Watch our for more details.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER… AnCan Heart Group – new support group for all things cardio and open to all! To sign up for Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. For ProsCard mailing list, please write to rd@ancan.org.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: 1) Why are Axillary lymph nodes not considered distant? 2) Why does MSKCC prefer bone Bx?
Topics Discussed
Another low risk Gent graduates to this Group; Pluvicto cleared all but foamy gland cancer; new Sony cooling gismo; urinary blockage from RT inflammation – self catheter; surgical blood clot doesn’t rule out abi+pred but doublet not indicated; HT causes hot flashes… urgency more likely tumor – RT to start; can E2 help with hot flashes? – distracts from key Q about length of HT; moving from Lupron & abi+pred to Orgovyx+daro… is monotherapy an option?; is attending PCRI worthwhile?; Axumin shows a result – local or distant and what next?; RO at Hutch selected and VA sets up genomic tests; E2 access again – attend UCSF session; MSKCC moves off the dime to set up new doublet and Pluvicto…. but why a bone Bx?
lots of repeat information, but it does keep you up to date on any new science. I am very glad to hear you are thriving in your new home.
Gary Martin sent: 6:00 PM
Different catheter brands and diameter vary in ease-of-use and pain/irritation. I find the the Coloplast Speedicath (no-touch, hydrophillic) of smaller diameter 12 easiest.
Bill Lawler sent: 6:19 PM
Transdermal Estradiol
Gary Martinvsent: 6:32 PM
The hot flashes, I hear, interfere with sleep, which can cause the cognitive symptoms.
Bob Y — Los Angelesvsent: 6:40 PM
I need to leave early. My update was just some small detail. Thanks to all. My leg pain is indeed due to disc bulge hitting nerves and not the two ADT drugs.
Gary Martinvsent: 6:42 PM
Last year the PCRI conference was recorded and available online.
Pierre D., Olean, NYvsent: 6:54 PM
Axillary nodes should be amenable to biopsy and somatic testing
AnCan–John Avsent: 6:58 PM
“This send there is slightly prominent left axillary node with slightly increased radiotracer activity…measuring approximately 13 x 11 mm with SUV max of 5.1”
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Aug 11, 2026
Substack is coming to AnCan… or maybe AnCan is coming to Substack. We’ll be posting the best of all our Reminders. Watch our for more details.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER… AnCan Heart Group – new support group for all things cardio and open to all! To sign up for Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. For ProsCard mailing list, please write to rd@ancan.org.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: Toss up between the silver lining in HT treatment, and slow T recovery.
Topics Discussed
Originally AS Newbie graduates to T3 maybe T4 treatment; mono daro working but dental issues arise; Alaska doc needs a solid GU QB; pros and cons of tolerating hormone therapy; post-RP PSA still going down; … and post RT/HT PSA declining for our Poet; whole body MRI vs PSMA scans for monitoring; still getting the runaround for GU MO at Sibley – but RO set; follow up PSMA now negative for younger Gent; leg pain and fatigue likely not from HT drugs; MRI on T10 prior to spot RT; heavy brain fog suggests switching ARSI but Pluvicto follows; T recovery slow but after 7 months – don’t panic
Chat
Steve Schuler (Seattle) sent: 3:30 PM
My Rad Onc at Fred Hutch was Jonathan Chen, and I felt like he provided competent care. My oncologist was Evan Yu; he’s been bumped up, and now it is Rajitha Sunkara. I like her.
Jim Ekrut, Ft. Worth TX sent: 3:33 PM
I recommend Biologics by McKesson or Onco360 as specialty pharmacies with access to financial aid. I received a grant from PAN through Biologics that covered all costs for one year of Orgovyx.
Steve L sent: 3:36 PM
UW Northwest is the location for Proton Therapy. They may also do other radiation treatment.
Steve Schuler (Seattle) sent: 3:45 PM
I talked to my oncologist (Rajitha Sunkara). and referenced the PATCH study.
Jim Marshall, Vet Sup Grp. Moderator sent: 3:58 PM
CASODEX = Bicalutamide Jim
Jim Ekrut, Ft. Worth TX sent: 4:12 PM
I finished eighteen months of Orgovyx June 19. It did exactly as intended alongside radiation, with my PSA <.01 and testosterone <10 for a full year. My PSA was measured Friday 8/7 , almost seven weeks post-treatment, still <.01 but testosterone has risen to 48. That said, I experienced every side effect listed on the Orgovyx website and more.
Sorry to leave, but I have another meeting commitment. Thanks for the support. All the best!
Jeffrey G sent: 4:21 PM
How old is he?
AnCan–John A sent: 4:21 PM
64
Dave Lied – Pittsburgh sent: 4:23 PM
Thank you all for the informative discussion tonight. Sorry to leave early.
Jim Marshall, Vet Sup Grp. Moderator sent: 5:12 PM
Was on ADT for 5 years, did not budge for 3+ years. Then and now less than 50, Jim
Steve Schuler (Seattle) sent: 5:15 PM
thank you for the feedback, exactly what I wanted!
Barry Blomquist sent: 5:15 PM
Thanks guys good information – next week.
Steve Schuler (Seattle) sent: 5:16 PM
I had been on Zometa when I had teeth removed, and my oral surgeon gave me Pentoxifylline 400mg + vitamin E 450mg for 60 days, which is apparently a protocol that increases blood flow (perfusion ?) and reduces risk of jaw necrosis
Jim Marshall, Vet Sup Grp. Moderator sent: 5:18 PM
When Abi caused Liver issues, I got dropped from 4 to 3 pills a day and good for the next 5years.
Steve Schuler (Seattle) sent: 5:19 PM
EMBR worked for me moderately well, but I dropped it when I started E2, which was a great help to me
Stay in shape with FIT Together in your own living room!
Mark and Kathy Baldridge are avid birders, and as a result, frequent visitors to “Deep Southern Arizona” from their home in University Place, Washington. You may have seen them in an AnCan Group – we’ve been supporting the Baldridges since 2021.
Recently Mark mentioned an at home exercise program in a group, so we encouraged him to tell us more so all AnCan’rs living with cancer could participate… with or without their care partner.
This October 17th, AnCan will participate in the OHSU-Fred Hutch Prostate Cancer Summit. Dr. Kerri Winters is also speaking, and Dr. E (Eleni Efstathiou), the new Chief of Genitourinary Cancer at OHSU, has already set up a time for us to meet. We’ll be writing about the Summit closer to the date. (rick davis)
Back in high school, I did multiple pushups before I went to bed. Fast-forward 50 years and I was unable to do a single pushup. Over the years, I’d fooled myself into thinking I was in ‘decent shape’ because I took long walks several times a week. The truth was that after being diagnosed with osteoporosis, 24 months of Hormone Therapy and a lack of upper body exercise, my overall strength had significantly declined.
Fortunately, I discovered an online exercise program FIT Together for cancer survivors and their partners. FIT Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 under the leadership of Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone and Jessica Sitemba. Dr. Winters-Stone has a PhD in Human Performance and has been conducting research in exercise oncology for 20 years. She has run over 15 clinical trials funded by NIH and cancer non-profits. I have participated in two of Dr. Winters-Stone’s clinical trials run through Oregon Health Sciences University – OHSU.
I’ve attended FIT Together classes for a year and can attest that the instructors are excellent. They demonstrate each exercise and then give tips to ensure each participant correctly performs the exercise. The instructors individualize and tailor movements and exercises to accommodate each person’s needs—no matter what the person’s fitness level. For instance, pushups can be performed in many different ways (e.g. against a wall/desk/chair or on hands and knees/feet).
The classes are held twice per week at various times virtually. I love the convenience of performing these exercises at home and look forward to each class. All you need for the classes are dumbbells, a resistance band, stretch strap and an exercise mat. The cost for this equipment is quite reasonable—less than $75.
There are several classes to choose from: strength training, strength/cardio and an exercise class for couples. Classes are very reasonably priced— around $5 per session for a 12 week/24 session class… even less if two of you join together.
I participate in the strength training class and physically feel much better about myself. It’s been really encouraging to see that I’ve slowly gained upper body strength. While I still can’t do a pushup on my hands and toes, I can perform 12 pushups on my hands and knees—I’m on my way to performing a full pushup.
I highly recommend these classes and hope to see some of you in a class—you won’t be disappointed!
This essay has circulated among medical folks, and I thought we might benefit from it.
The Bridge
by KJ Ramsey
The medication you don’t want to take, the habit you don’t want to start, the conversation you don’t want to have, the test you don’t want to get. It’s a bridge.
You don’t have to love the bridge. You just have to walk across it.
I found this bridge on a hike and stood at the beginning of it for a minute thinking about all the times I’ve used this word in a room with a patient who was afraid of what came next.
A bridge is not the destination. Nobody moves to a bridge. Nobody stays on a bridge. A bridge is the thing between where you are and where you need to be and its only job is to get you across.
You don’t judge a bridge. You don’t stand at the beginning of one and criticize the materials or the design or the length. You don’t look at it and say this isn’t how I would have built it. You just step onto it because the other side has something you want and this is the way across.
You don’t judge how long the bridge is. Some bridges are short and you cross them in a day. A conversation, an appointment, a decision you’ve been avoiding. Some bridges take months. A recovery, a medication, a season of grief, a complete rebuilding of the way you eat or move or think. The length of the bridge is not the point. The crossing is the point.
Sometimes you stop in the middle. You stall. You stand there looking at how far you’ve come and how far you still have to go and neither distance feels manageable. That’s okay. Standing still on a bridge is not the same as going backward. You’re still on it. You’re still between where you were and where you’re going and standing there for a while doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re catching your breath.
There is no right way to cross a bridge. Some people walk fast with their eyes on the other side. Some people walk slow and look at the water underneath. Some people stop 4 times. Some people almost turn around and then don’t. All of them get across if they keep going and the bridge doesn’t care how long it takes.
The bridge is teaching you something while you’re on it. Not after. While. The medication you didn’t want to take is showing you what your body feels like when it has support. The habit you didn’t want to start is showing you that you’re capable of something you thought you weren’t. The conversation you didn’t want to have is showing you that the weight gets lighter once you share it. The bridge is not just the path to the lesson. The bridge is the lesson.
I’ve watched patients stand at the beginning of a bridge and refuse to step onto it because they couldn’t see the other side. I’ve watched patients step onto it and want to turn back because the middle felt worse than the beginning. I’ve watched patients get to the other side and turn around and look at the bridge and say “that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be” and I’ve heard that sentence a thousand times and it’s true almost every time.
The thing you’re avoiding right now is a bridge. The thing that feels uncomfortable, inconvenient, or scary is a bridge. You don’t have to love it. You don’t have to understand why it was built this way or why it’s this long or why you’re the one who has to cross it.
You just have to take the next step. One step. Not the whole bridge. The next step. The bridge will hold you. It was built for this.
The original version of “The Bridge” by KJ Ramsey, as posted on her official website, kjramsey.com
This reminds me of an invite I wrote to you 3 years ago:
In Between
We work with our oncologists to maximize our survival.
In MSF, we have worked on maximizing the number of hours we enjoy each day by focusing on the present.
Here is my idea to find lots and lots of brand-new minutes to live in each hour:
Remember this picture? What is it a picture of?
When we look out at a scene or see a picture, there is a foreground of objects that we look at. That’s the figure. There is a background, far less important, barely even noticed. That’s the ground.
It’s the same with time. There are the things we do; they are on the calendar and take up all our consciousness. Then there is the useless time in between. Driving from one thing to another. Walking up the stairs. Waiting on hold. Sitting in the waiting room. The pause between forkfuls. The white space on the calendar. Waiting for someone to answer the phone.
Try changing your awareness from the figure to the ground—not just with space but with time. Try becoming as aware of the time in between as the activity we are doing. You don’t know it’s there until you look for it.
I’m hoping that by mining this time in between, we can gain a hundred precious minutes a day.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PrCa Video Chat, Aug 3, 2026
COMING IN SEPTEMBER… AnCan Heart Group – new support group for all things cardio and open to all! To sign up for Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/. For ProsCard mailing list, please write to rd@ancan.org.
AnCan thanks the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Novartis, Blue Earth Diagnostics and Foundation Medicine.
Views expressed in this Recording are solely the opinion of AnCan Foundation, our Moderators and Participants.
AnCan does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices discussed are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500 https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime! You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/ Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Join our other free and drop in groups:
Men (Only) Speaking Freely…1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/
Veterans Healthcare Navigation… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room https://ancan.org/veterans/
Veterans Speaking freely… 4th Tuesday @ @ 8.00 pm Eastern Schmier Room
Editor’s Pick: Let’s determine if Gent really has metastatic disease before progressing with treatment.
Topics Discussed
Newbie sees disease progression and starting Pluvicto; bad pulmonary reaction to Erleada for this Newbie who’s switching to City of Hope; possible recurrence for Newbie – needs a GU MO; DeBono’s remarkable VIR5500 may be in play for Frank; determine if Gent is truly metastatic before proceeding with more treatment; starting salvage RT; nipple pain soon after starting holiday; is Dr. John’s pelvic pain PrCa, AUS or something else?; defer to your GU MO not local general MO; fatigue… when is T. replacement safe post HT; signed up for Reel recovery
PSMA PET Multifocal avidity within the prostate with highest in left PZ (SUVm 3.4). There is focal uptake with low SUVm (3.1) in the right scapula and right manubriu, (SUVm 2.9) and T5 vertebral body (SUVm 2.9)
Larry in AK sent: 7:03 PM
I hope it will be a continuing feature.
Len Sierra sent: 7:04 PM
Avery, those are all very low SUV max values. Do you know what the liver uptake was?
AnCan – rick sent: 7:04 PM
they’re all fairly low SUVs, Avery
AnCan – rick sent: 7:05 PM
we understand why they are dubious about your Mx
Avery sent: 7:07 PM
Where will i find the liver uptake in the PSMA PET?
Peter M sent: 7:10 PM
Good night gents! Great meeting.
Avery sent: 7:12 PM
Liver: Stable appearance of multiple simple fluid attenuating hepatic cysts, the largest of which in right lobe measuring approximately 3.1 x 3.5 cm
“Thomas” Matica sent: 7:12 PM
Good night. Great discussion.
Lee Baylin, Baltimore sent: 7:13 PM
good night
AnCan – rick sent: 7:19 PM
From Larry in AK Sorry for coming in late. Has anyone mentioned the estradiolinitiative newsletter has published its firs volume. Read it on the estradiolinititive.org website by clicking on the menu at the top on “Resources” and find “Newsletter” near the bottom of the menu. https://estradiolinitiative.org
Bob Schwartz, USN, Venice, FL. sent: 7:22 PM
The E Newsletter was FANTASTIC! I highly encourages everyone to read it.
Barry Blomquist sent: 7:24 PM
Have to jump, next week:)
Alfredo in Sacramento sent: 7:25 PM
I have to take a call; good night to everyone 🙏
Bob Schwartz, USN, Venice, FL. sent: 7:26 PM
Good mtg., have to go.
Larry in AK sent: 7:27 PM
Last page of the newsletter has my editorial. A lot less dry than the body of the newsletter.
Mark and Kathy Baldridge are avid birders, and as a result, frequent visitors to “Deep Southern Arizona” from their home in University Place, Washington. You may have seen them in an AnCan Group – we’ve been supporting the Baldridges since 2021.