My 21st Century Cancer Tour—so far

Or, My Life is Getting Stranger and Stranger…

 

I made it through more than 60 years in the 20^th Century with nary a cancer—that I know about. There were aches and pains, broken bones, minor surgeries, stitches from time to time, and all was good. 

The kids were born, grew up, and had kids of their own. Carol and I aged gracefully (that’s our story), and all was good.

But then came Y2K and, although there was no Internet meltdown, my cancer cells decided to assert themselves. They did it very quietly at first and grew in a secret place in my prostate. A doctor or two was sure it was curable and I agreed to have it removed. Later I had radiation therapy because it turns out the prostate cancer was not all removed or curable. For some years after that hormones of one sort or another kept those pesky cells in check—still growing but very slowly. And all was pretty good.

I have read a lot of cancer research and discovered that having one cancer greatly increased your risk of getting other cancers. Turns out that was true for me. In less than six months I was diagnosed with a nasty melanoma on my back (October 2014), a carcinoma on my leg (January 2015) and (also January 2015) cancerous growths were found in my beleaguered bladder (technically still prostate cancer). Minor surgeries and a bladder cystoscopy have removed all of these (more or less). Some may grow back after a while, I'm told. 

While I really don’t much care for cancer in any form, there is an upside. I am doing my share (and more) to keep Big Pharma in the chips, to keep doctors and nurses fully employed, to add interesting scars to my body, and to continue to live longer than anyone has a right to. And that’s all good, too.

axman

A Brief History of 2014

1-I'm Still Alive! Is that brief enough?
2-My prostate is still gone (since 2003) and is unlikely to grow back.
3-My PSA is remaining low--my medications seem to be working. For the cost, I should be cured.
4-Hormone therapy side effects are still alive and well and help bring out my 'feminine' side.
This part of the update has been about the same for a few years now.

2014 additions and challenges...
1-I discovered a new side effect in February. It's called Radiation Induced Bladder Cystitis. Nine years after radiation therapy no less. It is not easily treatable so many of us who had radiation before or after prostate cancer treatment are now living with bleeding and clotting in our bladder. Annoying but not life threatening.
2-A pesky mole on my back turned out to be cancerous-a
Melanoma. The surgeon got it all, put in 33 stitches and that was that...except for some other moles that will also need to be biopsied.
3-With each passing year I get slower, forget more, and spend more time getting injected, inspected, bled, scanned, and being told that, "You're doing pretty good for someone your age."

Conclusion
Life is good and I intend to make the most of it.
Enjoy

axman

One Cancer is Not Enough (tongue in cheek)

One never knows

Not only does cancer suck, but did you know that having any cancer puts you at higher risk for developing another cancer?

Incurable cancers tend to spread to various parts of your body but it is still called the name of the original cancer. For example, prostate cancer can spread to your bones, lymph nodes, and lung and it is still called prostate cancer.

Sometimes, however, you can get a new and unrelated cancer. In my case the new cancer started as a small flat mole, shaped roughly like Antarctica, and sporting several bland colors. It was located just below my right shoulder, near my modest and tasteful axe tattoo. My wife suggested a doctor visit, the doctor suggested a biopsy, and the report came back labeled melanoma. Bummer! Melanoma is the BAD skin cancer, but the report also said early stage and that the biopsy may have been big enough to take out the whole thing. 

We all agreed (doctor, wife, and me) that it was wise to have a little larger area around the ex-mole removed just to be sure. So be it. I think we all caught it early and I will be as good as new (not an absolute value). 

Moral of story

Pay attention to your body. Cancer is sneaky and lurks in various and sundry places inside and outside your body. Pay attention to moles that are not the normal round, rough, brown kind. Moles that suddenly appear can be a risk. A doctor can tell you if a biopsy is needed. My biopsy didn’t even hurt and the peace of mind from knowing for sure is priceless.

axman

Cancer Clinical Trials are Going to the Dogs

Can that help you? It just might!

This isn’t specifically about prostate cancer but the process might be beneficial to us PC survivors in the future as well as a lot of others with cancer. If that happens, we may be thanking Max, Queenie, or Pal.

A team of scientists at the National Cancer Institute is conducting canine cancer clinical trials. Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. Why is this unusual‑‑aren’t animals used to test drugs all the time?

• The dogs are family pets diagnosed with cancer by their vets and referred to the clinical trials. More than a million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year—and that’s just in the U.S.
• Some cancers in dogs are very similar to cancers in humans.
• Experimental medicines can be started sooner than in humans, if the owners agree. And results are known sooner because cancers grow more rapidly in dogs.
• Many owners are happy to get the newest experimental treatments for their beloved pets.
• The dogs that get treatment with experimental drugs are often helped and able to live a longer and healthier life with their human families.
• Unlike many animal trials, no dogs are purposely infected. These dogs are treated after they naturally contract cancer.

Canine trials have focused on bone cancer, lymphoma, and melanoma—also common cancers in humans. These trials have the potential to help both dogs and humans—a win-win if there ever was one.

axman