May 2013

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.