Please excuse my silence on this blog and other email updates. I know it's been a long time.
In September, after three (of six planned) chemotherapy treatments of the new drug cabazitaxel, my oncologist sent me for a bone scan. Unfortunately, the scan showed the cancer had spread into more of my bones even while taking chemo. My oncologist basically said, "I have nothing else for you."
I told him I was planning to make an appointment with Dr. Charles Myers in Charlottesville, VA. I had discussed this doctor in VA with my oncologist on several occasions. He agreed it would be worthwhile to make the appointment.
Dr. Charles Myers is an oncologist also. The difference is, he has prostate cancer himself. Since he was diagnosed, in 1999 I think, he went from being a research doctor to having his own private practice treating nothing but prostate patients.
As a result of his own diagnosis, he began searching out any drugs and supplements that have an effect on prostate cancer. He has treated hundreds of patients and his patients have a median life expectancy much greater than the national average for other prostate cancer patients. Also included in his treatment plan is a switch to a Mediterranean diet.
I had my appointment with Dr. Myers on Thursday, Nov. 17. It could not have gone better.
I had begun transitioning from my normal diet (fast foods, high fat content, etc.) to his recommended diet. I no longer can eat red meat, dairy, or eggs. I can eat chicken, turkey, skim milk, egg beaters, veggies and fruits. I've been doing this diet for almost eight weeks. It's not been as hard a transition as I thought it would be. When your back is against the wall, you do what you have to do.
I kept a food diary and showed it to him during my visit. He said I was doing very well on everything except my breakfast. I was shocked! I thought my breakfast was the least of my worries since I almost always eat Raisin Bran (with skim milk) and a glass of tomato juice. He said the tomato juice is great, it's the Raisin Bran that is bad. Why? I asked. It's the carbohydrates, he said. Almost any cereal would be just as bad. It's all carbs and no protein. The carbs turn into sugar. He said if I added protein, it wouldn't be too bad of a breakfast. So, I've got to start adding whey protein to my breakfast cereal, or may a whey protein shake with fruit.
Anyway, that's just the nutrition part. He then went on to tell me which prescription drugs he will prescribe and which supplements he recommends. I could list them here, but it would get long and technical. The important part is, he is saying that these things will have a killing effect on my prostate cancer cells. Better yet, he says I should see dramatic results in 90 days.
There is a 70% chance, he said, that my PSA will drop by 80% in 90 days. My PSA is currently 80. That means it could drop to 16. It could drop to undetectable, he said. If it dropped to undetectable I would be in the 29% of his patients that have had such a dramatic result. Of those 29%, he has not had a patient death in over six years.
This is incredible. It's also a blessing from God.
What is the difference? Why aren't all my doctors treating prostate cancer this way? The answer ultimately lies in the fact that he has prostate cancer himself. At least that is my belief.
There is no statistical evidence that any one of the major treatments for prostate cancer out performs the others. I started with surgery. Then I had chemo. Then I had radiation. Then more radiation. Then more chemo. Then more radiation. Then more chemo. All totaled, I've had 15 chemo treatments, 84 radiation treatments, two radio-frequency ablation procedures on my right lung, and the initial surgery to have my prostate removed. For the past four years, I've taken shots and pills that have stopped the production of hormones which feed my cancer.
All these treatments are textbook procedures. Doctors all over the world do what has been done to me as the patient's PSA rises and falls. Dr. Myers told me, "You have had good treatment."
Had Dr. Myers not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, he might still be in his research position. By the way, Dr. Myers is a renown researcher and doctor. He was on the team of researchers who devised the AZT cocktail of drugs for AIDS patients.
Dr. Myers is also a trained pharmacologist. He studies drug interactions with other drugs. One of the pills he has prescribed for me interacts violently with Tylenol. If I take Tylenol while on this drug, I could have liver failure.
So, despite the bad news above, God has blessed me with good news from this doctor.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention another thing. I will return to Virginia sometime in the next 30 days. Dr. Myers wants the local hospital there to take a bone biopsy on my diseased bones. The biopsy will be sent away for genetic testing. From the tests, they will be able to identify a chemotherapy agent that will kill more of my cancer. I've had two of the most powerful chemo agents used for prostate cancer. Both drugs failed. I asked Dr. Myers if there was anything else. He said the genetic testing will show which known chemo agent will kill my cancer. It doesn't matter if it is used for prostate cancer or not. It might be used for breast cancer or colon cancer, but if the test says that this known agent will kill my cancer, they will use it.
I thank each of you that may have prayed for me. Just knowing that you care enough to pray for me has sustained me many times. Please don't stop praying. Pray that these new drugs and supplements have the dramatic effect that Dr. Myers predicts. Pray that I will hold up under the introduction of these drugs into my system. One of them in particular can cause nausea, vomiting, and severe fatigue.
I should say before I close that I am feeling fine at this point. I'm a little slow and perhaps a little unsteady on my feet, but I still get around. I do get fatigued upon exertion. I have no bone pain from the metastasis. You may see me at the mall or at Walmart (is there any place else that retirees can go?)
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