Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat Support – Men & Caregivers Recording, May 25, 2021
PLEASE NOTE: June metings are NOT on our regualr schedule due to the calendar quirk of 5 Tuesdays. June Schedule will be:
Tue, June 1 @ 6 pm Eastern – Peter K
Mon, June 7 @ 8 pm Eastern – rd
Tue, June 15 @ 6 pm Eastern – Len
Mon, June 21 @ 8 pm Eastern – Herb
Editor’s Pick: Gent sees PSA progression and control – but no other signs of disease; and new trial offers two radionuclides concurrently – but beware of heavy side effects. (rd)
Topics Discussed
BAT and radionuclide trials; PSMA PET scans in W. Los Angeles; disese progression but no physical signs; darolutamide; is searing pain from abi?; HDR+IMRT+HT; double radionuclide trial considered despite side effects; sweet smelling urine – keto bodies?; why not biopsy lymphs on Dx; chemo diminishes tumors everywhere
Chat Log
Joe Gallo (to Everyone): 3:23 PM: PTEN?
Ravi (to Everyone): 3:34 PM: I contact the company that makes the Pyl-PSMA. They were very confident of May end. Joe Gallo (to Everyone): 3:40 PM: Anyone interested Vet contact Alexander.Alas@va.gov Research coordinator at the West VA in LA. 310-478-3711 x 41399 or contact me joeg@ancan.org
rick – ancan (to Peter): 4:11 PM: Peter – Ken’s email is ken_anderson@ancan.org 480 540 8926 Joe – joeg@ancan.org 215 499 4001
Joe Gallo (to Everyone): 4:35 PM: Apparently there is an opinion from the ASCENDE RT. In higher risk cancers (unfavorable intermediate risk and high risk), recent results from the ASCENDE RT trial show a benefit in recurrence free survival for high risk prostate cancer patients who undergo brachytherapy (LDR in the case of the study), as a boost after external beam radiation.
Julian Morales (to Everyone): 4:43 PM: Thanks Joe.The Brachy RO want to do HDR but will discuss with IMRT RO to see which is better before or after.
John Ivory (to Everyone): 4:47 PM: Quick public service announcement: Our own Jimmy Greenfield will be performing tomorrow night as part of AnCan’s collaboration with The Marsh theater. He’ll be singing and playing ukulele and will be talking about how the arts have helped him live with his disease. Will take place here: tomorrow at 10:30 ET/9:30 CT/ 7:30 PT here: https://themarsh.org/soloartsheal/
AnCan and The Marsh (well renown, long-established theater company with a large following in the Bay Area and venues in San Francisco and Oakland) collaborateevery 4th Wednesday of the month for Solo Arts Heal!
On April 28th, we had the pleasure of having Elizabeth McLachlan!
Elizabeth shared excerpts of how she uses creative pursuits like tap dancing and singing to express herself, undeterred by the challenges that multiple sclerosis (MS) has brought into her life. MS is a debilitating disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system.
Afterwards, Rick Davis and Elizabeth discussed how important creative expression is. We’re certain you’ll fall in love with Elizabeth too.
Watch this incredible performance here:
To SIGN UP for any of our AnCan Virtual Support group reminders, visit our Contact Us page.
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat Support – Men & Caregivers Recording, May 17, 2021
Editor’s Pick: When the standard of care works and has not been tried, should the doc recommend an unproven trial? Also, is it true to say you’ll never come off ADT? (rd)
Topics Discussed
Standard of Care vs Trials; Actinium 225 vs Lu 177 PSMA trials …. personal experiences; are lung nodules really PCa?; Vets PSMA trial; what’s NGS?; shortness of breath and Xgeva; darolutamide/rosuvastatin interaction; using a heart rate monitor to exercise; ADT and metabolic syndrome/ lipid panel; enz/abi switch works; telling cancer pain from inflammation; enzalutamide holiday; is lifetime ADT really the case?; 1.7 PSA allows for Axumin scan; when to do Provenge; brachy+IMRT+HT; neuropathy remedies; RT for recurrence
Chat Log
Paul Freda (Private): 5:30 PM:
Rick How long after beginning a drug like Xtandi should one wait to do a blood test to see if it is working ?
rick – ancan (to Paul Freda): 5:32 PM: 30 days
Paul Freda (Private): 5:32 PM: OK thanks
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 5:51 PM: Homogeneity of Mx PCa …. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2016/02/metastatic-prostate-cancer-and-precision-oncology.html
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 5:51 PM: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/fhcr-poc022516.php
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 5:57 PM: joeg@ancan.org
Bruce Bocian (to Everyone): 5:58 PM: My son is a Major in the Corps!
sylvester mann (to Everyone): 6:05 PM: Thanks to everyone but I must leave. Best regards.
Joel Blanchette – Reston, VA (to Everyone): 6:06 PM: Contact: Alex Alas 310-478-3711 ext 41399 Alexander.Alas@va.gov West LA VA Hospital Contact.
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 6:06 PM: Tx Joel!
Bruce Bocian (to Everyone): 6:11 PM: My bike is in a cycle-ops, works b
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 7:03 PM: gabapentin/Neurontin
rick – ancan (to Everyone): 7:04 PM: Lyrica/pregabalin
Richard Maye lives with Gleason 3+4 prostate cancer and participates in AnCan’s Active Surveillance and Low/Intermediate Video Chat Groups. In communications with AnCan, Richard had thoughts on how he responds to QoL issues surrounding his diagnosis, that we encouraged him to blog. (rd)
AnCan Participant Richard Maye Muses on Quality of Life
I have Prostate Cancer! Now what do I do? After receiving my diagnosis in November 2018, a month prior to turning age 71, I knew that it was imperative for me to come to terms with not only understanding this disease, but what did this mean for how I had previously viewed living out my life.
While I had talked about Quality of Life, the ideas that I included in that term were vague and general. Terms such as: Travel (where, when?); Continue to Work at least part time (doing what? for how long?); Help other People in need (Who, Where, How?); …. you get the point. I also used the term when I looked back at my Father’s end days. My Father had lung cancer and advanced metastatic prostate cancer. His end days were not filled what we would call a Quality of Life. Twenty years ago, the treatment option for his prostate cancer was chemo therapy, an option that he made clear would not be considered. I respected him all of my life including in this life decision, and watched how he lived his days with determination and without complaint.
Now, this is different, this is me. The diagnosis, while generally favorable, caused a sense of urgency for me to decide how I would live my days. Given my long-term PSA history I had researched prostate cancer, some of the treatments, side effects and related issues. I started with the question – did I believe the diagnosis? To answer this important starting point, I had a Genomic Test and also a second opinion. From there I spoke with the Urologist, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, and two family practitioners. Research led me to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, to AnCan, UsToo and other invaluable resources. It was very important to include my wife in every step of this process. As a man of faith, I knew I had to put this in God’s hands and trust Him for guidance.
So here I was with all of this information and consultation, but it still came down to how am I going to live with this? During my administrative career as a senior administrator in healthcare to make important decisions I used this analytical process: Identify the problem; Make it a priority; Evaluate its scope; Assess the potential impact; Develop a solution; Make the decision; and, Implement it. That process is the hinge upon which the gate of my success rested.
Using that approach forced me to decide what would become my operational parameters for the term Quality of Life going forward. It ended when I told my wife and physicians that I was going to respect this cancer BUT not fear it. This means that I was not going to rush into treatment, I would go on Active Surveillance, modify my living standards but not live in fear. Here is a small example of an area included in my Quality of Life Guide. Nutrition and Diet are important to all of us no matter our health status and it plays a big role in the prevention and fighting cancer. If I want to have a piece of my grandchildren’s birthday cake, have a cocktail with our son, share a bottle of wine with my wife, I will do so and not stay awake at night wondering if I just promoted my cancer to grow. Yes, I have reduced the intake of sugar, alcohol, red meat and consumed an ocean of decaffeinated green tea, eat more vegetables than ever in my life, vigorously exercise every day and laugh.
The risk and side effects of the various treatments that are available today along with the potential for the cancer to return were weighed heavily in my decision process. Understanding the risk and consequences, I decided to wait, but wait watchfully in Active Surveilance. With regular monitoring of my PSA, I have postponed having another biopsy and glad that I did, given the trend toward using the Transperineal procedure. New diagnosis and treatments are being announced frequently.
Understandably there are men in different stages of their cancer than I, but the point is this. Define what Quality of Life means to you. Look at your life as it is currently, your life expectancy, family, career and then determine what will be your ROL (Return on Life) for the remainder of your days.
According the Social Security actuarial tables, my life expectancy is another 12 years. That’s about 4,400 days. For now, I can go about the business of living instead of being plagued by anxiety, depression and roller coaster emotions.
On May 5th, Dr. Samuel Washington III (UCSF Assistant Professor of Urology and Goldberg-Benioff Endowed Professorship in Cancer Biology) spoke at our Active Surveillance Virtual Support Group with a presentation titled “How Does Where You Live Impact Active Surveillance?”
He shared his research on regional variations in the use of active surveillance, showing that men with identical diagnoses get treated differently in different communities. He also answered some questions related to the safety of AS for African American men, anxiety issues in men on AS, and other topics.
We want to thank Dr. Washington for answering questions!
Watch here:
To view the slides from this presentation, click here.
For information on our peer-led video chat ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE PROSTATE CANCER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, click here.
To SIGN UP for the Group or any other of our AnCan Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page.
Our Advisory Board member Renata Louwers wrote an incredible, honest, and powerful piece for Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine titled “We Can Offer You Some Helpful Resources”. She shares her experience that sadly, many caregivers will find relatable.
Teetering on the cusp of widowhood at 45, I realized my intensity had sent the hospital social worker scurrying away. Ours had been a tense and circular conversation littered with euphemisms (by her) and rage (by me).
She had initiated the conversation by saying she understood how tough “the journey” had been. Then she continued on about the “discharge protocols.”
“I can’t take him home,” I protested. “I can’t care for him at home.”
As if to prove that I actually could care for him at home, she noted “the care team has already signed off” on his discharge, and she was just awaiting the paperwork. The team would, she assured me, do all they could to “support this transition.”
Hi-Risk/Recurrent/Advanced PCa Video Chat Support – Men & Caregivers Recording, May 11, 2021
Editor’s Pick:Great discussions this week – trials vs chemo, absurdly high T on LHRH + abi, sweet smelling urine – but the prize goes to Being Your Own Best Advocate … someone’s listeing to us!(rd)
Topics Discussed
Another trial or finally try the the SoC – chemo?; cyclophosphamide; PSA doubling times; post-AUS surgery – and more incontinence issues; testosterone returns; Dr. Morgans on the move … and Dr. Antonarakis!; brachy+IMGT+HT is the gold standard; abiraterone and liver effects suggests switch to darolutamide and DUDE program; hormone therapy prematurely ages us; when it comes to Axumin and MSKCC, Be Your Own Best Advocate; what’s that sweet urine smell – pre-diabetes?; neuropathy; Frank finishes chemo; Testosterone supplementation; T of 750ng/ml on ADT + abi?? – sure that’s your sample?
Chat Log
Jerry Pelfrey (to Organizer(s) Only): 3:06 PM: Rick what is the name of AnCan on facebook? I have looked and can not find it anywhere.
Herb Geller (to Everyone): 3:30 PM: Doubling time is the time it takes for PSA level to double. So if it goes from 8 to 16 in one month, then doubling time is a month.
Ravi (to Organizer(s) Only): 3:48 PM: so if T varies so much, what is the best time to test?
AnCan Barniskis Room (to Organizer(s) Only): 3:49 PM: not sure Ravi …… but maybe best to test always at the same time???
Herb Geller (to Everyone): 3:59 PM: Van Veldhuizen at Rochester
AnCan Barniskis Room (to Peter Kafka): 4:08 PM: switch out of abi to enz
Joe Murgia (to Everyone): 4:45 PM: After about 18 months on bicalutamide my A1c went up to 7.8. I’ve been on metformin to control my blood sugar for almost 3 months and I’ll be getting an A1c in 2 weeks. My AM fasting blood sugars have improved. Any help it may give in fighting the PCa would be welcome.
Ravi (to Organizer(s) Only): 4:46 PM: Thanks, Joe
Joe Gallo (to Everyone): 4:47 PM: Get the basic Lipid (panel current levels)as well as A1C (3 months average). Both are valuable.
AnCan Barniskis Room (to Everyone): 4:47 PM: From Ravi …. Thanks, Joe
John Ivory (to Everyone): 4:57 PM: I’ve got to run to another Zoom. Good to see everyone! Aloha, Peter!
Jeff Marchi (to Everyone): 4:59 PM: took biclutamide for a year but A1C nverwent above 5. I keep weight down, weigh daily. I almost never eat sugar, and am very careful with carbohydrates, that really helped. last test was 5.3. have to really monitor diet. never above 5.6
Pat Martin (to Everyone): 5:02 PM: I appreciate this group…300 years of experience and still has a sense of humor.
Herb Geller (to Everyone): 5:07 PM: I gotta go, guys. Dinner’s on the table. Sorry.
Aloha, friends! We have some wonderful thoughts once again from our Board Chair, moderator, and most important, our dear friend Peter Kafka. We love you, Peter!
THE LEARNING CURVE
Yesterday I made the leap and upgraded my smart phone from my old Samsung android which was not functioning or charging very well to a new I-phone. I was warned that there would be a learning curve to navigate, and I feel I am up for the challenge. Of course, I have mentors close at hand like my son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren, but their fingers fly so fast over the keys and apps that my brain just can’t keep up and I get lost. I suspect you know the feeling well.
I bring this experience up because it reminds me of the steep learning curve that most of us face when diagnosed with prostate cancer at any level. There is a hell of a lot to learn to say the least! Our AnCan motto for our support groups is; “Be Your Own Best Advocate”. This admonition can be quite an ambitious goal for many of us. I noticed my own over eager attempt to “educate” a recently diagnosed man who found his way to my phone number the other day, not unlike my grand daughter’s attempt to furiously try to teach me the secrets of all the apps on my new phone. How quickly the mind can zone out.
Then there are the numerous inherent “handicaps” (if that is still a politically correct choice of words) that we face including;
Age: Prostate cancer seems to strike most of us in our 60’s when our mental capacity and acumen is not in its prime. (Go ahead and say; “speak for yourself!”, just saying….
Medical Terminology: Few if any of us are trained as medical professionals and acquiring understanding in the field of cancer can be quite daunting.
Advancements: The field of medicine is changing and progressing rapidly. “Warp Speed” is no longer a science fiction term.
Brain Fog: The treatments that many of us endure certainly don’t help the cause.
Add your own: Be my guest…
If you have attended any of our live online AnCan support group meetings you will have noticed that many of us are “regulars”. We are not GROUPIES following bands like The Grateful Dead around the country, but rather just guys trying to wrap our heads around this strange disease and better understand what our options are going forward. The light doesn’t come on with a flip of the switch, at least that has been my experience.
For information on our peer-led video chat PROSTATE CANCER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS, click here.
To SIGN UP for the Group or any other of our AnCan Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page.
On March 24th, we had the pleasure of having our very first performer, Jackson Nogahl! He celebrated his ten-year anniversary with prostate cancer on Valentine’s Day 2021. He has been finding humor in his experiences living with this condition as he writes his memoir War and Pee.
He gave a virtual performance of The Rain Delay:
Chronicling his first day back to work after prostate surgery, this work weaves together the lessons of a 1990s skateboarder, tallboy beers, Clydesdale horses, a magic trick, the power of prayer, the most beautiful woman in the office, and above all else, Mother Nature.
Afterwards, Rick Davis and Jackson discussed the importance of connectivity, especially for those living with serious diseases and conditions.
Watch this hilarious, and thought provoking performance here:
To SIGN UP for any of our AnCan Virtual Support group reminders, visit our Contact Us page.
Have you checked out our page “All the Faces of AnCan” lately? We are always growing, and you might see some new faces! While we’ve discussed Dr. Herbert Geller (researcher and AnCan Advisory Board Member) previously on the blog, we have a special treat today. Dr. Geller was part of an esteemed panel explaining the science behind mRNA Covid-19 vaccines with CureTalks.
I find this description of what mRNA means and brief explanation from CureTalks to be extremely helpful.
Messenger RNA vaccines, also called mRNA vaccines, are some of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. They teach the cells of our body to make a protein that triggers an immune response. This immune response leads to the production of antibodies which protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our body.
Be sure to check out this informative presentation, here!
To SIGN UP for any of our AnCan Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page.
