Twelve years on ....and counting

August 20, 2008

I had a good meeting with my GP yesterday. My PSA was

0.17 ng/ml, the lowest it has been for more than 20 years and we agreed that

I'd stop the Zoladex, which I’ve been on for a year. Interestingly enough

(at least interesting for me because I don't recall ever reading of this

option) he suggested that instead of having the 'normal' 10.8 mg dose every

three months, I should have the 3.6 mg dose over that period. As I say I didn't

know there was the smaller dosage, which is apparently primarily used for women

with breast cancer on a monthly basis. He told me that he had another patient

in a similar position to me - a doctor - who had taken this option very

successfully. A lower dose, less side effects (not that I have had any real

problems) yet the PSA stayed down. I said I'd consider that if the need arose,

but I'd be interested in any feedback on this low dosage regimen from anyone on

the List.

Coincidentally, my appointment yesterday with my GP

was exactly 12 years after I was told that I had prostate cancer, so it gave me

some cause to reflect on the roller coaster ride of the past years and to recognise

how grateful I am for so much. I know that that things look remarkably bleak in

the early stages of diagnosis and treatment for the newcomers to our not so

exclusive club, but there is a life after prostate cancer. The diagnosis of a

life threatening illness is a wake up call for most people and it certainly was

for my wife and for me. We have had a terrific time these past years, doing all

the things we had been meaning to do; seeing our beloved son recover from an

awful accident, seeing him get married to a wonderful woman and have two of the

best grandchildren in the world: - the list just goes on and on. When I first

heard the word 'cancer' I doubted that I'd see in our 29th wedding anniversary

- now we are off to Italy

next month. We'll celebrate another wedding there - the son of old friends - and

our 41st anniversary down on the Amalfi

Coast.

Is life good? You'd better believe it.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed

in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then.

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions

we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data "

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