I had an appointment with Dr. Charles Myers in Virginia again on May 21. I told him I had been feeling terribly weak and ill since February when he changed my medicine from Ketoconazole to Xtandi. He said I was having an atypical reaction to the Xtandi. Generally, he said, his patients have very little side effects to Xtandi. He also said I had an atypical reaction to Ketoconazole. I had very few side effects on it and most patients complained greatly of having reactions. So I guess I'm just an atypical guy.
He finally decided to take me off the Xtandi and change me over to Zytiga. (I know, I know, these drug names are crazy and don't mean a thing to you. Sorry!) So, I am waiting for the new drug to arrive by mail from my Prescription Drug Plan.
He also wants me to start a very new drug called Xigio. It was just
approved by the FDA for metastatic prostate cancer. It is so new, the
manufacturer does not have the distribution in place. It is a monthly
injection of Radium 223. It will adhere to the diseased bone and emit
short waves of radiation to the disease. It has a very short half-life.
The manufacturer says early distribution will probably be limited to one
site per state, so I expect to have to travel to get the shot once it
is distributed.
Another major problem I am having is neuropathy in my feet from having had so much chemotherapy. It is nerve damage that is irreversible. Dr. Myer's said a supplement called alpha lipoic acid has been shown to relieve symptoms in two double-blind studies. My symptoms are burning, aching feet and toes to the point it is difficult to get to sleep without a sleeping pill. Even then, I often wake up in the night with the pain and can't get back to sleep.
Please pray that the new drugs will not only have a positive effect on my cancer but will also make me feel better. I thank you each again for your constant assurance that you are praying for me. It gives me such confidence and peace to know God is being asked by so many to heal me and bring me comfort. Today's paper had a quote from Walt Whitman. He said, "I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends." That is how I feel about all of you. I can't believe I have deserved such faithful friends. My heart-felt thanks and love to each of you. May God bless you as He has me.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
March 2013
I was feeling pretty good after posting on here last November. I even went to Disney World in December. I did rent a wheel chair inside the park just because I could not keep up (speed-wise) with my crew without it. Disney does NOT give preferential treatment to people in wheel chairs. Too many were abusing the privilege.
After Christmas and New Year, I got another bout of that bronchial infection I mentioned last time. It took some time to get it properly diagnosed and treatment started. In the meantime, I kept getting weaker and weaker. Finally, in early February, I got on the antibiotic again.
About the same time, my PSA was beginning to double each month. By Feb., my doctor in Virginia had told me he was changing my medicine. My Feb. PSA was 16.3 (the highest I've ever had). So, on Feb. 8, I began a new medicine called Xtandi. This medicine was approved late last year by the FDA for men with metastatic prostate cancer who have failed chemotherapy. That fits me to a Tee. After a month on the medicine, my PSA was 20.1. Still rising, but not doubling in a month, so it's better. My doctor expected it to take several months to show significant results.
By the time I started the medicine, I was still feeling weak. It has continued to even now. My heart rate was jumping up to 112 bpm just walking from one room to another. I would have to sit and rest. It has been very frustrating. My local Doctor sent me for heart tests to rule out heart disease. All tests came back normal. I praise the Lord for that.
For the past few days, I've felt better and have been able to push myself a little bit each day without being so out of breath. My heart rate isn't so out of control. I think my medicines have all finally begun to agree with one another. I do believe some of what I experienced was drug interactions. Not the new cancer medicine, but the antibiotic and some of my other meds plus the stopping of a steroid.
I'm thankful for all who continue to pray for me and just want you to know that God is still working a miracle in me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
After Christmas and New Year, I got another bout of that bronchial infection I mentioned last time. It took some time to get it properly diagnosed and treatment started. In the meantime, I kept getting weaker and weaker. Finally, in early February, I got on the antibiotic again.
About the same time, my PSA was beginning to double each month. By Feb., my doctor in Virginia had told me he was changing my medicine. My Feb. PSA was 16.3 (the highest I've ever had). So, on Feb. 8, I began a new medicine called Xtandi. This medicine was approved late last year by the FDA for men with metastatic prostate cancer who have failed chemotherapy. That fits me to a Tee. After a month on the medicine, my PSA was 20.1. Still rising, but not doubling in a month, so it's better. My doctor expected it to take several months to show significant results.
By the time I started the medicine, I was still feeling weak. It has continued to even now. My heart rate was jumping up to 112 bpm just walking from one room to another. I would have to sit and rest. It has been very frustrating. My local Doctor sent me for heart tests to rule out heart disease. All tests came back normal. I praise the Lord for that.
For the past few days, I've felt better and have been able to push myself a little bit each day without being so out of breath. My heart rate isn't so out of control. I think my medicines have all finally begun to agree with one another. I do believe some of what I experienced was drug interactions. Not the new cancer medicine, but the antibiotic and some of my other meds plus the stopping of a steroid.
I'm thankful for all who continue to pray for me and just want you to know that God is still working a miracle in me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
November 2012 Update
I always go to my doctor in Virginia with a little apprehension. I guess
I need to trust God more, because each time, I come away with such
hope. That is what happened this week.
I said before we left home, the best outcome from this visit would be for him to change nothing. We had talked by telephone back in September about my PSA. It was rising each month, by just a little. He said then, he would probably change my medicine when I came up in November. I didn't mind changing medicine, but I did mind having to go to Plan B, in just one year from the start of him treating me. There are just so few options to turn to and I don't want to race through them.
So, I expected him to change my medicine. Instead, he said "No."
I had had a bone scan done on October 24 and when he saw the written report he said there is no need to change my medicine when the scan continues to show a diminished intensity of disease in the bones. The medicine (Ketoconazole), is still working.
Now, I have a couple of more things going on and he helped me with them too. First, my blood pressure has been extremely high for a few months. He said the Celebrex may be the cause, so he had me stop that and he added another blood pressure medicine to help bring it down. Next, I've been fighting a bacterial infection for four months. I've taken four rounds of oral antibiotics and that did not kill it. So, I had to have a pic-line put in and Dianne had to administer an antibiotic IV twice daily. I finished the antibiotic on Monday this past week. The interesting thing is, I'm not sick enough to have the bacterial virus the cultures have shown I have (psuedomonas, for those that are medically minded.) My doctors in Chattanooga have said I should be seriously ill with high fevers. They have been amazed that I'm not. Dr. Myers said, it's probably the Ketaconazole that is keeping me from experiencing those symptoms. I'm praising the Lord for that.
Oh, by the way, Dr. Myers office was kind enough to remove my pic-line since I had finished the IVs while traveling. I'm thankful to be free of that also.
I am also having some symptoms of what I thought was Raynauds disease. My fingers go cold and turn ghastly white. Dr. Myers said he thinks it stems from my high blood pressure and should clear up after it comes down.
So, the news is all good. Dianne and I are praising the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. I still need to learn to trust Him more. Why, oh why do I still worry?
Thank you to all who continue to pray for me. You are each so wonderful. May God bless you as much as He is blessing me.
I said before we left home, the best outcome from this visit would be for him to change nothing. We had talked by telephone back in September about my PSA. It was rising each month, by just a little. He said then, he would probably change my medicine when I came up in November. I didn't mind changing medicine, but I did mind having to go to Plan B, in just one year from the start of him treating me. There are just so few options to turn to and I don't want to race through them.
So, I expected him to change my medicine. Instead, he said "No."
I had had a bone scan done on October 24 and when he saw the written report he said there is no need to change my medicine when the scan continues to show a diminished intensity of disease in the bones. The medicine (Ketoconazole), is still working.
Now, I have a couple of more things going on and he helped me with them too. First, my blood pressure has been extremely high for a few months. He said the Celebrex may be the cause, so he had me stop that and he added another blood pressure medicine to help bring it down. Next, I've been fighting a bacterial infection for four months. I've taken four rounds of oral antibiotics and that did not kill it. So, I had to have a pic-line put in and Dianne had to administer an antibiotic IV twice daily. I finished the antibiotic on Monday this past week. The interesting thing is, I'm not sick enough to have the bacterial virus the cultures have shown I have (psuedomonas, for those that are medically minded.) My doctors in Chattanooga have said I should be seriously ill with high fevers. They have been amazed that I'm not. Dr. Myers said, it's probably the Ketaconazole that is keeping me from experiencing those symptoms. I'm praising the Lord for that.
Oh, by the way, Dr. Myers office was kind enough to remove my pic-line since I had finished the IVs while traveling. I'm thankful to be free of that also.
I am also having some symptoms of what I thought was Raynauds disease. My fingers go cold and turn ghastly white. Dr. Myers said he thinks it stems from my high blood pressure and should clear up after it comes down.
So, the news is all good. Dianne and I are praising the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. I still need to learn to trust Him more. Why, oh why do I still worry?
Thank you to all who continue to pray for me. You are each so wonderful. May God bless you as much as He is blessing me.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Three Things
I have three things to announce to bring you up-to-date.
1. My injection medication was approved on the second appeal. I now have the medicine and am using it daily. Medicare approved it for one year. I'm quite certain, they will continue beyond that, but I don't know what I'll have to do next year to get it approved. So, for now, all is good.
2. My latest PSA test showed a slight increase from 0.96 to 1.24. I've not talked to either of my doctors yet, but I've noticed the lab made a mistake and used a different test to arrive at that newest number. It's not a bad number except for the fact that it is an increase. However, using two different tests is like comparing apples with oranges. I'll have new labs in early May.
3. I had a bone scan Monday, April 23. I won't get the official written report until I see my doctor in early May, but the imaging center gave me copies of the new images plus all prior scans. I compared the newest to the previous. I'm not a doctor, but even Dianne and I can see that I have LESS metastasis in the newest scan than I did in the previous scan. It's a miracle. God is doing a miracle in my body!
Thank you for praying. Thank you for caring. Join me in praising God for His goodness.
1. My injection medication was approved on the second appeal. I now have the medicine and am using it daily. Medicare approved it for one year. I'm quite certain, they will continue beyond that, but I don't know what I'll have to do next year to get it approved. So, for now, all is good.
2. My latest PSA test showed a slight increase from 0.96 to 1.24. I've not talked to either of my doctors yet, but I've noticed the lab made a mistake and used a different test to arrive at that newest number. It's not a bad number except for the fact that it is an increase. However, using two different tests is like comparing apples with oranges. I'll have new labs in early May.
3. I had a bone scan Monday, April 23. I won't get the official written report until I see my doctor in early May, but the imaging center gave me copies of the new images plus all prior scans. I compared the newest to the previous. I'm not a doctor, but even Dianne and I can see that I have LESS metastasis in the newest scan than I did in the previous scan. It's a miracle. God is doing a miracle in my body!
Thank you for praying. Thank you for caring. Join me in praising God for His goodness.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
March Update
I have a new PSA number to share with you. My PSA has dropped again, from 1.45 to 0.96.
Praise the Lord for His goodness.
I have experienced some fatigue and nausea in the last week. I contacted Dr. Myer's office and was told to back down my pills from 500 mg to 400 mg. Since then, I have felt better.
Also, my prescription provider is denying the Leukine injections I need to take daily. Dr. Myer's office is trying to get re-authorization. If you would, please pray that it is approved.
Thank you for you faithfulness in praying for me.
Praise the Lord for His goodness.
I have experienced some fatigue and nausea in the last week. I contacted Dr. Myer's office and was told to back down my pills from 500 mg to 400 mg. Since then, I have felt better.
Also, my prescription provider is denying the Leukine injections I need to take daily. Dr. Myer's office is trying to get re-authorization. If you would, please pray that it is approved.
Thank you for you faithfulness in praying for me.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
God is Working a Miracle in My Life!
Almost a year ago, I was told I might not live another two years. Although I looked okay, I was being eaten from the inside out. My prostate cancer had advanced into my bones.
I was sent to Vanderbilt to see a specialist. The specialist recommended six treatments of a new chemotherapy, Jevtana. I took three treatments and then had another scan done. The chemo had failed. The cancer had moved into more areas of my spine and ribs. My local oncologist said "there is nothing more I can do."
As you now know, I went to see a doctor in Virginia, Dr. Charles Myers. He put me on Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal drug. It's a pill. Since the late 1980s, it's been known that Ketoconazole kills prostate cancer cells. Dr. Myers uses it with his patients that have failed traditional chemotherapy drugs. He prescribed me some other drugs and some supplements, but they are mostly to treat side effects of the high-dose Ketoconazole.
In November 2011, my PSA was 78.9. I started taking Ketoconazole on Dec. 13. On Jan. 9, my PSA had fallen to 3.3. I had not even been on Ketoconazole for a whole month.
On Feb. 1, I had another PSA test. My PSA is now 1.45.
From 78.9 to 1.45 in less than two months. That is more than a 98% drop.
Besides the dramatic drop in PSA, I am feeling stronger every day.
Join me in praising God for His goodness. Please pray that my PSA continues to fall, even into the "undetectable" range.
I was sent to Vanderbilt to see a specialist. The specialist recommended six treatments of a new chemotherapy, Jevtana. I took three treatments and then had another scan done. The chemo had failed. The cancer had moved into more areas of my spine and ribs. My local oncologist said "there is nothing more I can do."
As you now know, I went to see a doctor in Virginia, Dr. Charles Myers. He put me on Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal drug. It's a pill. Since the late 1980s, it's been known that Ketoconazole kills prostate cancer cells. Dr. Myers uses it with his patients that have failed traditional chemotherapy drugs. He prescribed me some other drugs and some supplements, but they are mostly to treat side effects of the high-dose Ketoconazole.
In November 2011, my PSA was 78.9. I started taking Ketoconazole on Dec. 13. On Jan. 9, my PSA had fallen to 3.3. I had not even been on Ketoconazole for a whole month.
On Feb. 1, I had another PSA test. My PSA is now 1.45.
From 78.9 to 1.45 in less than two months. That is more than a 98% drop.
Besides the dramatic drop in PSA, I am feeling stronger every day.
Join me in praising God for His goodness. Please pray that my PSA continues to fall, even into the "undetectable" range.
Monday, January 9, 2012
I'm Energized
Okay, a lot has happened in a short time.
The last time I posted, I had been to my new doctor in Virginia, Dr. Myers. When I saw him on Nov. 17, my PSA was near 80. It was the highest it had ever been. He said there was a 70% chance my PSA would drop 80% in the next 90 days, if I followed his treatment plan. Such a drop would take my PSA down to 16.
He prescribed a pill called Ketoconazole. It is a very old, very generic, very cheap medicine. It was produced to fight fungal infections. They have learned that it kills prostate cancer cells very well. Dr. Myers uses it a lot with his patients.
First, I had to get the medicine. I have to mail-order my medications, so I sent the prescription in the week before Thanksgiving. The medicine did not come until Dec. 13. So, I haven't even been on the Ketoconazole for a month yet.
Last Wednesday, I got my blood drawn for my monthly labs. Today, I got the results. My PSA has dropped to 3.3. That is over a 95% drop in under 30-days. PRAISE THE LORD!
I am actually feeling very well right now (even before I got the lab results.) The Ketoconazole can cause severe fatigue and vomiting and even liver damage. So far, I've had none of that. My energy level is greater than it was for most of 2011. Dianne and I are trying to walk every day and I try to do water aerobics at the YMCA about 3 times weekly.
For the holidays, we traveled with my daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren to Brazil to visit the home of my son-in-law's parents. We stayed about two weeks. I did very well keeping up with everyone, even in the airports, where we had to walk for long distances.
Just a week before we left for Brazil, I went back up to Virginia to have a bone biopsy done. They biopsied the diseased bone in my spine and sent it off for genetic testing to be compared against the known genetics of prostate cancer. The results would show which medication would best treat my cancer. I got those results last week. It indicated the Ketoconazole is the best drug to fight my cancer. Dr. Myers is going to call me on January 13, and discuss the results over the phone. I may learn more then.
So, I've been busy, as you can see. But, instead of being fatigued, I'm energized.
God certainly has His hand in this. I give Him all the praise and glory. I'm thankful He led me to Dr. Myers.
For all those who have prayed for me, I thank you. You are wonderful and caring friends and I love and appreciate you all.
The last time I posted, I had been to my new doctor in Virginia, Dr. Myers. When I saw him on Nov. 17, my PSA was near 80. It was the highest it had ever been. He said there was a 70% chance my PSA would drop 80% in the next 90 days, if I followed his treatment plan. Such a drop would take my PSA down to 16.
He prescribed a pill called Ketoconazole. It is a very old, very generic, very cheap medicine. It was produced to fight fungal infections. They have learned that it kills prostate cancer cells very well. Dr. Myers uses it a lot with his patients.
First, I had to get the medicine. I have to mail-order my medications, so I sent the prescription in the week before Thanksgiving. The medicine did not come until Dec. 13. So, I haven't even been on the Ketoconazole for a month yet.
Last Wednesday, I got my blood drawn for my monthly labs. Today, I got the results. My PSA has dropped to 3.3. That is over a 95% drop in under 30-days. PRAISE THE LORD!
I am actually feeling very well right now (even before I got the lab results.) The Ketoconazole can cause severe fatigue and vomiting and even liver damage. So far, I've had none of that. My energy level is greater than it was for most of 2011. Dianne and I are trying to walk every day and I try to do water aerobics at the YMCA about 3 times weekly.
For the holidays, we traveled with my daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren to Brazil to visit the home of my son-in-law's parents. We stayed about two weeks. I did very well keeping up with everyone, even in the airports, where we had to walk for long distances.
Just a week before we left for Brazil, I went back up to Virginia to have a bone biopsy done. They biopsied the diseased bone in my spine and sent it off for genetic testing to be compared against the known genetics of prostate cancer. The results would show which medication would best treat my cancer. I got those results last week. It indicated the Ketoconazole is the best drug to fight my cancer. Dr. Myers is going to call me on January 13, and discuss the results over the phone. I may learn more then.
So, I've been busy, as you can see. But, instead of being fatigued, I'm energized.
God certainly has His hand in this. I give Him all the praise and glory. I'm thankful He led me to Dr. Myers.
For all those who have prayed for me, I thank you. You are wonderful and caring friends and I love and appreciate you all.
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