DES

We Got To Get You A Woman

David Emerson, DES, estrogen, PSA, Todd Rundgren -

As funny as I thought I was being with the Helen Reddy post, I promised Mary to lay off the references to the whole ‘woman’ thing.

With this post I am hoping for little leniency, or forgiveness? However, come to think of it this has nothing to do with being a woman or feeling like one.

Being a Todd Rundgren fan it just came to mind and I wanted to share.

Why? When your PSA goes down 40% in 10 days you have to sing about something!

One final note, as we have in the past, we are cautiously optimistic for long term results. Yes it’s good news and without a doubt I am going to enjoy the next 28 days!


What’s going down?

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, DES, PSA -

Tomorrow is my monthly check-up, you can probably guess I’m a little nervous.

After five years, close to 75 PSA tests, and I would guess over 100 doctors appointments, you might think I would be used to this routine. While the routine is old hat, the anticipation and lead up to the results are something I can’t ever imagine getting use to.

This subject is a topic that gets bantered about on some of the Prostate Cancer message boards. I can’t express to what extent the quality of men’s lives are impacted by this disease. With my case this might sound like a very obvious statement, but there are millions of men out there that have surgery, radiation or just choose to monitor their condition, that go through this anticipation periodically as well. Whether it be every month, quarter or year, these men go through a similar period of time leading up to their test results that mirrors the monthly anguish that I experience anticipating my PSA tests. This is one of the aspects of our experience that the general public may not be able to completely understand. It’s very taxing.

I usually do pretty well with this and probably will do so tomorrow, but I do wonder what the results will be. After starting estrogen (DES) ten days ago, this will be my first test. My last test indicated my numbers were increasing rather quickly. On March 14th my PSA was 193 and I didn’t begin the Estrogen until March 18th, so my PSA before starting DES was probably over 200. Tomorrow, well we’ll see. I don’t know how quickly we will see a response to this new treatment. I am struggling to make a clear, concise point and that IS my point.

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I was able to get out today and play disc golf. It was good to see and play with Tim and E again. Eric, it’s been far too long! I played pretty good, nothing great, but it was a pain free round. Since starting DES, overall my body feels much better. My hips hurt less and my legs are better and I am still able to avoid the Advil.

Finally, tonight was a good, quiet family night. We caught up on a few things we had recorded and basically just enjoyed the relaxation and each others company. It’s Easter week and I look forward to the emotions of the week.

Peace be with you all.

What tomorow has in store for me

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, DES, radiation, Wafarin -

Time changes many things, including treatments for my Stage IV Prostate Cancer.
Five years later, we face a new course, a new direction.

With my PSA climbing considerably over the last 6 weeks and limited treatment options to chose from, we have decided that I will start DES, a form of women’s estrogen. My friend Howard has a good write up here at hrpca.org (http://hrpca.org/estrogens.htm)

There are two potential side effects, DVT aka Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots) and/or Gynecomastia (breast enlargement). The former can be managed with Coumadin (Wafarin). The latter requires a one time treatment of radiation to my breasts.

So tomorrow begins the next step. I pray for good results. I pray for the longevity of this treatment. I need a mental break, I need a beach.

Through the windshield

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, DES, Estradiol -

I always try to look forward, versus looking back and wondering and second guessing.I live my life looking through the windshield versus the rear view mirror.

So today we find ourselves at a cross roads, it’s time for a decision and a change.My appointment yesterday with my Oncologist was a real kick in the teeth. It seems my PSA decided to take a rather unexpected leap. It rose from 103 to 158.9! Wow, where did that come from? I feel like I was blindsided.

At first I was pretty bummed out as you can imagine. We knew we were playing a little bit of Russian roulette when we decided to switch back to my current medications last fall. At first we had no idea if it would work at all and if it did how long it would last. We were looking for and received stability, we got it for almost six months. On a positive note it got us through the fall, the holidays, a number of birthdays and more. I believe it was the right thing for us to do at the time. I have no regrets.
That being said, we now move on. On Friday I’ll have another full body bone scan. I was due anyway,but now the need is more pressing and the results may be more revealing. I’ll also have another PSA just to make sure there were no lab errors, etc. I’m not expecting this to be the case, since this is the same lab I have been using for three years. With the results in hand we’ll meet with Dr. V next Monday and decide the proverbial “what next”? At this point we are leaning towards starting DES, aka, estrogen supplements. At this point I’m not ready for another round of chemo. Additionally, my Alkaline Phosphate and Circulating Tumor Cell levels remain ‘normal’. Additionally, the hip and leg pain I have been experiencing appears to related to some mild arthritis. Given this news and all of the test scores, we are focusing on getting my PSA level down. Using DES may be the best method for us to achieve this goal.

I’m not sure what else to share at this point in time. It’s just another chapter in what has become my sardonic life.