I've posted here before about my Dad who is 52 that was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA was 204 and gleason score is 8. He had the CT-scan and bone scan which we got the results of yesterday. The good news is the cancer hasn't spread into his lymph nodes or any organs, but it has gone into several places in his bones.

His dr. is suggesting hormone therapy. We just found out yesterday and don't know exactly what we are going to do, we just know it will be a big battle. The dr. told my dad he has a life expectancy of 3-5 years.

So that's our bad news, I hope everyone else is doing well.

Melissa

Sorry to hear the situation with your Dad. He will need all our prayers. Find good doctors for him which will be quite a task. Let us know his plans so maybe we can help.

Hi Melissa,
I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. Please do not loose hope. The 3 - 5 year survival estimate is only based upon general statistics. Many men beat the odds and live well beyond these predictions. Presently, there is no cure for disease with bone metastasis but with proper treatment, it can be driven into remission for many years. There are also a number of promising clinical trials being done which are directed at treating more advanced disease. Your dad should ask his doctor about these. In addition to this, never underestimate the power of prayer. God is still the best physician around.
Dave

I am very sorry to hear about your father's results. I am 49 - my gleason score is 7 - stage T1C. Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.

I am a late in life child - my dad had an operation in 1970 when he was 57 - I was 16. I now know it was prostate cancer - the "C" and a lot of others were NEVER shared with me - there were LOTS of secrets surrounding dad's illness.

He must have been stage 3 or 4 - but he lived another 9 years and died of a heart attack -

Chin up - keep the faith - I have been carrying thoughts of you and your dad with me for the past 2 days - he is going to be a survivor -

I hope you are working with a good general MD as well as urologist. I always thought pills were a sign of weakness - my MD descrfibed lexapro for depression and ambien for sleep - I take them - they have been a true blessing.

Best wishes - maxcyp@charter.net

Thank you all very much for the inspiration. We will not give up this fight. We have an appt. for a second opinion, in addition we have faxed the pathology report to a family member who works at UCLA and have emailed the results to a friend with the suggested treatment.

We're going to do all that we can do including a lot of prayers.

Ron, good luck with your surgery. I'm happy that you caught it in time to take care of it. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. May this be a learning lesson to not keep this to yourself. Tell your kids, family members and friends so that they have the education to take care of themselves at an early age.

Melissa

Dear Melissa,
You must be very much informed about your dad's illness. As much as you know, you can help your father with the doctors. Prostate Cancer as just we've been facing for nearly a year now, is a type of cancer with different treatments to decide on. The doctors will probably start on hormone therapy, so your father will be taking some pills possibly Casodex and a shot of possibly Zoladex periodically. As your dad's cancer has spread out to the bones and hormone therapy unfortunately weakens the bones a lot, he will be put on a biphosphonate probably.Please discuss with his onc.the biphosphonate ZOMETA which is a FDA approved drug by Novartis. This drug is taken every 28 days IV (posibly 4 mg.in the vein not less than 15 minutes of infusion).You can find all the info about it by the web site of the company. The biphosphonate will help your father's bones to strenghten. Also I've written on this board before that there is a support group which I've been a member for 10 months. They're really very educated and such nice people who also have PCa. I'd recommend you to be a member of this group. They have no financial benefits with their group.(phcagroups.org)

Hande

Hi, I'm new to this. My husband has prostate cancer. How is you loved one? How are they treating him ? What's his PSA? Cindy

Hi, Melissa,
I too, just found out my dad is ill. He is 62 and has been diagnosed with Carcinoid Syndrome.
They gave him his first treatment today of Zometa and Sandostatin, but I am still not sure what his prognosis will be.
My thoughts are with you.

When my husband was diagnoised last year age 51 I think men at that age don't think they can have cancer. I think it is so important to spread the word to please please get checked have a psa and an exam it could save your lives. When people ask ( the butcher the bagger the friends of my husband ) how is he doing I say did you have your test yet? Spread the word to your brothers, uncles, dads, friends please get checked. I pray all goes well for you and your father and family. Take care and stay safe geifer