THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

So happy to have found this site. Lots more stories to read and to learn from what I am reading/hearing.

when I was diagnosed, it felt like a bomb had hit me. I thought it was a mistake. having always been healthy, active with a good life style of living and no history of prostate cancer in my family. But, it was true.

First was told that only surgery or radiation was my option but after a second consultation at the Arnold Palmer Center, told all options open for me. Because of an in/out procedure with the "least" side effects, opted for the seed treatment. Had wonderful doctors and can only recommend the Arnold Palmer Center to anyone with prostate cancer.

Had almost no side effects since the treatment in February. Have been taking Flomax ever since but my new urologist (moved from southern to northern California recently) said I could try to do without it and see how I would do.

The big shock came when I heard that my new PSA count was 5, higher than before my treatment. Back onto the roller coaster, which I have actually never left since being diagnosed.

My doctor said: "It does not make sense", and ordered a new PSA test: the result of that I have not heard.

Hard to believe that mistakes in testing could be made!!!

One of the hardest things is to stay positive and not to think of PROSTATE CANCER all the time and connect it with "the end". still, not an easy task.

In ending, I would once more say that this site will be of great help to us all. THANK YOU.

Dear friends in the struggle:

After moving from Palm Springs to Morgan Hill, No California, I found a great urologist. Scan found that cancer had spread to the bone, at least that's what the doctor said. Surprised since I was told when having seed implant that my cancer was an early one. How could it have spread outside the prostate when always reading that prostate cancer grows so slowly. Still don't have an answer for this. Searching!!!!!!!!

Was put on Lupron with the usual side effects which I can live with. Going for another PSA result and injection coming Tuesday. But, not knowing what will happen in the future is taking it's toll. Read that Lupron injections can make the cancer appear in other areas?

Trying to keep busy and positive but not always easy. Know I am not alone but still, it hit hard.

Thanks for this site. A great help.

Please to have my PSA count still 0.15 but.... every time before the next result, an emotional mess. Had an appointment with the Arnold Palmer Center that did my treatment for December 29 to have some questions answered and to put me at ease?? But, the oncologist went on vacation and my appointment was cancelled.

So, I go and with the Lupron side affects which are bothersome but livable. Hard to always be optimistic and follow through with a change in diet and lots of exercises. Work and other obligations prevent the latter often. And the former, one has to enjoy life at times and enjoy the many "forbidden fruits" listed.

But so gratetful to YANA and for all of it's support.

Have had a number of three-months Lupron injections and my PSA has been down, to the satisfaction of my doctor and myself. But, always worrying!!!

Was referred to a new doctor, cancer and blood specialist to get a bone scan. Wonderful doctor, taking his time in answering my questions and putting me at ease!!! Putting me at easy???? Anyway, have full confidence in him. Had a bone scan done yesterday to see if Lupron has done damage to the bones. Friday will have another MRI to see if any changes from the last one, done in 2008. Have been feeling great and hard to believe that I have this terrible you know what!

Hope this will bring me up to date with the site. Know they are saying Men are not dying of Prostate Cancer but..... the obits do not lie. [No they don't. Some men do die of prostate cancer, but not in the numbers implied by the media releases. Less than 3 men in 100 die of prostate cancer - more than 98 in 100 die of something else. As Dr Whitmore said so memorably: "Growing old is invariably fatal while prostate cancer is only sometimes so." For more on the subject go to The Elephant In The Room.]

Best regards to all who are in the same boat. Klaus.

Just got back from a great, four week vacation to family and friends in England and Germany and did not worry about my health issues. But now that I am back, it is back onto the roller coaster...

Before leaving I had two scans, one bone and one ? being injected with some stuff!!! Also a new doctor in addition to my faithful urologist from which I still get the Lupron injections every three months. The new doctor, a cancer and blood specialist, a super doctor who has my full confidence, took time to show my the scans. He said NO new spots. Only the old two, right next to each other, opposite the Prostate which I think (and I think he also thinks) came from balling down some stairs a few years ago!!!! He said, most unusual having two spots opposite each other with no enlargements or changes. But, to be safe, I will be getting a shot of Zometa in a short while and since I trust him, will go along. He said that it is precautionary only. Have not checked out what Zometa is or does but hope it is "what the doctor ordered".

So, keeping fingers crossed that I will be around for a bit longer. Again and again, thanks to YANA, what a great site and to Terry, for his support and work.

For some reason my urologist, the ones who is giving me the Lupron injections, referred me to an Oncologist and Blood Cancer specialist without telling me why??

Went and had great confidence in new doc. He took his time to explain the new scans and said 60 percent sure that no changes and no additional cancer? But, for 40 percent and to be sure, he suggested to have me get Zometa injections. Read up on it and horrified by the potential side effects. Also, one injection each month for 1.5 hours???[Zometa is infused by way of a drip - it is not an injection.] More and more apprehensive.

After checking around, decided to say NO and cancel the entire procedure. Just had another PSA test and soon to doctor for results. Hope the number still low. Always a worry. Will also ask him why he told me to go to Oncologist and more about Zometa. Feeling fine but...... we never know what evil slumbers within our body.

Thanks you Terry for always being there when needed.

As said before, thank you Terry for all your e-mails and for this site. Much appreciated.

Well, what is new on the "front"? Had a talk with my primary doctor re. Zometa and the bottom line was that he said it was not needed. Very much relieved. He said all tests were normal. More relieved. Still continuing with Lupron to be on the safe? side.

Asked my Urologist about Zometa!!! He said that he was "not familiar with it" and I should talk to the Oncologist about it!!!!!!! Felt that it was not the truth since, I am sure, he has patients that are in need of Zometa? Was called for a new appointment with Oncologist as a follow up but decided not to follow through with it in fear that I will be talked into it.

Will see what the future will bring.

To my great shock heard that my latest PSA jumped from 0.7 to 9.1!!!!!!!! No explanation from Urologist.

He put me on Casodex for 30 days. Checked and to another shock was told $150 locally. Was lucky to find 28 pills for $20 plus $10 shipping in Canada. Criminal what medications are allowed to cost in this country!! Half through the 28 and happy, so far, no side effects.

Had another PSA test and tried to get results from doctor but NO reply. Guess it is not important to them.

In a week having two scans done and feel that comparing them with previous ones more important than PSA? Am I wrong not too be too stressed at the moment???

Looking forward to a cruise and a week travelling in Florida and will face the issues after returning. No word from doctor if I am to continue with Casodex or even if I will have another PSA test after finishing the pills.

All very hazy but hope no reason to go "bunkers". Again, Terry, thanks for being back with YANA. Always of great help.

Regards, Klaus.

Happy New YEAR AND ALL THE BEST, ESPECIALLY THE BEST OF HEALTH FOR YOU AND US ALL, DEALING WITH PC!!

Had my two scans and another PSA test. No word on test even so ages ago!!!! Had a physical and HE told me that the last scans did not show any changes from the ones before. Not sure, if I should be overjoyed not knowing if a "normal" doc knows about scans.

No word from Urologist at all since. Feel also that I am behind with injections. Friends tell me that it is I who have to call and arrange it all. Feel different. My regular doc also said to get back onto Casodex. Not sure if that is a sign of things not going well? Feeling great, knock on wood. Ordered three months from Canada for $45 plus postage while they would have cost $450 in the good, expensive drug USA. No wonder so many complaints about the drug industry. Criminal that our leaders allow that!!!!!!!

Keeping busy with a long term teaching assignment and so not much time to stress or get depressed. Just sometimes, one cannot help it, when thinking!!!! Looking forward to a few days to Las Vegas in February and to England and Germany, family and friends, three weeks in July.

All the best and more soon,

Klaus.

While travelling in Europe in July developed bad back aches. Thought it was from travelling but it turned out to be a tumor on my spine. Had ten days of radiation. The side effects were very hard on me (no appetite, losing 25 pounts, no energy) but doing better. Still in need of a pain pill on and off daily. My Oncologist put me on Xgeva. Had the first injection a couple of weeks ago and no side effects. Next one in February along with another PSA test.

Not a happy camper at all!!!! Glad I am given Xgeva instead of originally suggested Zumeta. Hope that perhaps my next PSA count will be lower? Could I be so lucky?

Klaus's e-mail address is: palmspringsklaus AT verizon.net (replace "AT" with "@")

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