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Steve B and Sonya live in Washington, USA. He was 40 when he was diagnosed in October, 2008. His initial PSA was 41.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 8 and although it is not clear, it seems he was staged T4. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I have met with two oncologists. The first was all doom and gloom, gave me the option of hormone therapy [ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy)] and jumping right into chemotherapy to battle my cancer. The second oncologist was much more positive and took the time to walk my wife and I through the bone and CAT scans and gave us a more positive experience and outlook with a game plan of hormone therapy and Zometa.

The first doctor was very aggressive but not positive the second doctor very conservative but a lot more positive. I know that being comfortable with ones doctor does make a difference but not sure if we can afford to be conservative. How is a patient to know what is the best treatment to choose? The hardest thing with finding out that you have advanced prostate cancer besides sitting down with your 8 and 11 year old sons and telling them, is most definitely choosing your treatment. There is a lot of information out there, but nothing leads one to the correct decision for treatment.

I just turned 41 yesterday, yes I am 41 and my PSA was 41.

 

UPDATED

January 2009

 

 

After meeting with four oncologists, my wife and I decided on one out of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center run by Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle. I go in now for a monthly Lupron shot and blood test. I can only hope that I can do more than just push out the time that first Oncologist that I meet with gave me of 2 1/2 to 3 years. The last time I looked there wasn't an expiration date on the bottom of my foot.

 

UPDATED

July 2010

 

 

I am currently going in for monthly Lupron and Zometa. In November of 2009 I had my prostate removed and some lymph nodes that had cancer in them.

Waiting to go on the new drug Provenge in August. PSA is currently staying below 1.

Spending every day with my two sons 12 & 10 years old. A lot of Little League Baseball and work.

Thank you.

 

UPDATED

December 2011

 

Hope all is well. I am currently on a trial of MDV 3100. Still on Lupron and Zometa. my PSA went up to 22 over the summer than after going on MDV 3100 my PSA went down to 17 in October, them down to 4 in November. Just fight the fatigue that comes with the testosterone blockers..

Still coaching baseball and working full time, but fighting the medical bills that comes with fighting cancer.

Thank you, Steve.

Steve's e-mail address is: byorick@gmail.com