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Chris Hughes and Stella live in New Zealand. He was 62 when he was diagnosed in October, 2003. His initial PSA was 6.10 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6, and he was staged T1c. His initial treatment choice was Brachytherapy (Seed Implant) and his current treatment choice is ADT-Androgen Deprivation (Hormone) (Monotherapy). Here is his story.

THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2015 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

I was diagnosed in Oct 03, when my PSA was 6.1 ng/ml. My DRE was negative and one needle of the eight in my biopsy was positive with what was said to be 'low grade?'. The urologist wanted me on table in three days, but I said no. After getting all sorts of abuse from my MD, I changed MD.

After biopsy PSA went to 14.1 ng/ml , but settled back to 11.5 ng/ml. I tried Iscador injections, Budwig, etc.

In August 2004 I started on Prostasol, and my PSA dropped to 0.5 ng/ml in three months. I reduced Prostasol and changed supplements monthly. I tried HP8 and PC Hope but reverted back to Prostasol as soon as PSA rose above 3.0 ng/ml.

In September 2006 I started almost strict diet - no sugar-dairy-animal fat, recently had some low strength Prostasol, also was out of stock for three weeks, currently trialling Prostate-Res. Using various suppleiments tumeric, ellagic, zinc, Selenium, Vitamin E, K2SO4, Vitamins A+C+E multi, iron, + one or two others, also on 8mg warfarin [ DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis] runs in the family] My current PSA is 10.6 ng/ml.

UPDATED

December 2007

Christmas 07

Chris has a PSA of 2.1 ng/ml amd says:

Just using Quercetin + and Prostasol now at 3 or 4 caps / week.

UPDATED

December 2008

At the beginning of 2008 I had an urge to find out what was 'going on' down there. I had been keeping my PSA low with the natural oestrogen in Q+ [2 caps/week]. The nagging question what was happening to the PCa? The only way to find out was a biopsy.

This came back 3 of 10 +, Gleason 3+4, pathological stage T2a. Various scans came back not showing much, but the seed of doubt had been sown, time to be demonstrative, but which treatment? To cut an agonizing journey short I opted for Brachytherapy, at least my self treatment had kept my prostate volume low, 75 seeds were placed on August 23, 2008 was back at work the day after, no catheter or leaks, stopped the Flomax after 2 weeks along with the pain killers, absolutely no problems, no leaks , no catheter, nothing.

Just had bloods drawn for the 3 month assessment, everything boringly in mid range, PSA at 4.2. Uro said come back in 6 months for another check. Just have to wait now to see how successful the treatment is.

UPDATED

January 2009

Blood draw 20 January 2009 showed PSA 4.2, this at 5 months post brachytherapy. It is trending in the right direction albeit slowly.

Nothing to report on SEs', there are none. I don't glow in the dark, so I use a torch when I go 'DTH' [no idea - clearly a Kiwi phrase! Later: Chris tells me this is 'down the hall'] at night.

Kind regards

Chris Hughes

UPDATED

September 2009

12 month anniversary of my procedure. PSA currently at 3.4 - fluctuates between 3.1 and 4.4. Other blood tests are mid-range, with Calcium a bit low.

I never had an incontinence problem, no nocturnal perambulations (DTH = down the hall) early signs of osteoporosis.

My next check is in February 2010.

UPDATED

April 2010

Had brachytherapy 18 months ago, a PSA nadir of 3.3 was achieved May '09, has now climbed to 9.7.

Bone scan & MRI were inconclusive , have today started ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy).

UPDATED

April 2011

PCa progress:-

The brachytherapy did not reduce my PSA below a nadir of 2.4; it then started to climb. Started Lupron, had 3 or 4 x3 month shots, usual SE's, duh! When PSA dropped to 1.0 stopped Lupron, brain starting to work again, energy starting to come back, not enough to cause a loin stir, still hanging its' head.

Not eating fancy diets, just a sensible non-McDonalds type good quality food like we used to get 60 years ago......the odd red wine or three.....still working like I was 20 years ago, 69 this year, trying to retire.....Vitamin D3 levels 103 not sure of the units, supplement 2k IU daily, but of course we get plenty of sun down here... eat yer heart out.

The Saturday night , for me Sunday morning Pcainaz is a usual demand on my time. Not much else to say, I bought an 1100cc bike about 12 months ago, thought I'd better before I get too old.

Kind regards

Chris New Zealand

UPDATED

December 2011

PSA rose to 8.4 in July so back on lupron. PSA at end of October was 2.6, rapid response to Lupron, also rapid rise when off which is a concern to me but not to the onco.... still not managed to retire, these 12 hour days will be the death of me, before the PCa gets me.lol.

Best regards to all and many thanks to Terry.

UPDATED

April 2012

April 2012. currently on intermitant ADT, Lupron, about to go off treatment for the second time, PSA climbs quickly when off so have to monitor carefully. now aged 70, still extremely active, still trying to retire.

UPDATED

March 2013

March 2013. Still on ADT Lupin 3 monthly, when the PSA drops below 2, stop treatment till it rises above 4. Currently I am having 3 shots and missing 1 maybe 2.

UPDATED

May 2014

Hi peeps. ho-hum ...still on intermitant Luprin. not much else to report, life goes on.

Chris's e-mail address is: cshughes AT ihug.co.nz (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Chris has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.


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