Coping With Fear of Recurrence

[Kathy Meade]

ASCO has produced a podcast about coping with the fear of recurrence. It takes just a few minutes to listen to and may give you some ways to lower anxiety that is related to your fears.

[Joe McCleskey]

Aloha,
Appreciate having this forum to ask questions, and discuss the chances of recurrence. My PSA was rising over a 6 months & my G=9. I have heard that with G= 8 to 10, there is 100% chance that PC will come back. My wife & I were part of the PLCO Hawaii group, so, it appears that even with G=9, the death rate was still about the same for screened & not screened. My wife wsa screened, I was not.
My next PSA test is in 2 weeks, and last time it was 0.12, which after my one year ADT, last shot April 08, is about right. The Oncologist has already implied that he will recommend ADT if it continues to rise.
I do not like the side affects, will argue for quality of life. This past 2 years has been very difficult.
Faith, Hope, & Love,
Joe

[Joe McCleskey]

Aloha Sam Cox,
I am 67, PC discovered when I was 65. Prior to EBRT/IMRT 07, I was enjoying the good life, off road bicycle, hiking, building our dream home (Hamakua Coast near Honokaa), raising coffee, mowing 4 to 5 acres of grass & wood working (koa). Loved every minute. This past two years has been very bad ... bad ... bad. Do not want anything to do with it again. Third week into EBRT, I was pissing razor blades, and pooping fire, I wanted to quit, gave me enough pain & mind meds to finish the 8 weeks. The side effects of treatment are still with me, with poops/day down to 6 or so from ten/day. Got a burned rectum & damaged anus. Very difficult to hold back gas or BM's, just got off of having to wear panty liners around the house, still wear them on the road or travel. My life fell apart last Sept, am on meds & therapy, this past couple of months sorta screwed up the sessions, just external problems, should be worked out starting tomorrow, will get back on a regular schedule.
Going to Honolulu in less than two weeks for second try at Ag laser ablation of the ulcer. Not liking this one bit. Having much trouble accepting where I am and where I'm headed.
Have been practicing being happy. It does work, feels better than being sad/depressed, but it just seems like a house of cards.
Went into this with severe breathing problems & food problems. Add PC + treatment problems = more than I can handle. The breathing problems are sinus related, as long as I have good air, I can breath just fine, smoke, perfumes, exhaust, etc make my sinuses swell closed.
Faith, Hope, & Love,
Joe

[Joe McCleskey]

Aloha Sam Cox,
My therapy is at the KP clinic just above the Hilo Hospital.
Thank you for your prayers.
Our Google coordinates are
20.0705N,155.4387W
If you do make it out here again .... PLEASE let us know 808 775-7331.
After Sandy's mom died, we have not made it to the mainland for some time, especially now, as travel is difficult. Image, waiting for a lu on a plane with a weak anus. When I travel to Honolulu, I just do not eat.
During this difficult time I was getting very little sleep. It was an accident that my PC was found. I presented in 06, getting up at night 5+ times to void. Not hesitant stream, but void, 200 to 300 cc every 1 to 2 hrs. My psychiatrist is suggesting that my anxiety levels were so bad, that I was shutting down my kidneys during the day, and when I would relax at night, the kidneys would ramp up production, ie. no sleep. This seems to be true, as after 10 days on an SSRI, & being careful not to drink much more than a liter/day, I started getting some sleep (Oct 08). Now I can drink as much as I want, and only am up 2 times. Still on the SSRI. Doc says it may be a while before I can stop.
Faith, Hope, & Love,
Joe

[Joe McCleskey]

Aloha Sam & Aleta,
I should say, my trip to Oahu, as I catch a Kaiser shuttle from the airport directly North a few miles to the Moanalua Medical Center, so I really do not have the means to go down town Honolulu, so I will not be able to visit your favorite eating establishment. Usually when I finish the laser ablation, it takes several hours to get the gas out of the gut. And I need to be near a bathroom, so I just spend the time at the clinic until I return to the airport via shuttle.
Faith, Hope, & Love,
Joe