by Robert M. Traxler

The journey through diagnosis and treatment for advanced aggressive prostate cancer has been under way for nearly four months now. We have been through an elevated Prostate Specific Antigen test (PSA) an adverse digital recital exam, a truly staggering biopsy, and the first two series of hormone treatments.

The Firmagon hormone was administered with two injections to the stomach. A month later Lupron, a less aggressive chemotherapy type drug, was given intramuscularly.

A blood test showed the Firmagon worked to reduce the PSA and testosterone levels; not to an ideal level but good enough. That, my friends,is good news; it is a positive sign that the tumors will shrink. Neither drug will kill the cancer, but they will starve the cancer, reducing its size and stabilize the area so it can be measured and marked with gold pellets inserted into the prostate.

The three rice-sized gold alloy pellets calledfiducial markers were injected into the prostate and will allow the Radiological Oncologist, Dr. Forster, to target the cancer with external beam radiation. The marker injection process took place in a University of Michigan facility in Livonia April 7 and went well.

Some pain was involved, but once again not even close to intolerable. After effects of the procedure are present but minimal.  Dr. Forster has told us the chances of a cure are less than 40% but she can knock it back extending my life by years.

As a result of my misbegotten youth and over twenty years in the Army taking a toll on the limbs, I have two artificial hips, making the imagingof the prostrate difficult and hard to aim the radiation. Dr. Forster look at this as a challenge, not an obstacle, and worked out a way to use specialized imaging to get the necessary data. A second trip to the University of Michigan medical campus was planned; however, Dr. Forster found a way for the computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan to be performed locally, saving us a two-hour drive.

When the tumors are stable and accurately measured and the seeds or markers are settled in place; it is time to start the radiation. During the first appointment, they will make a mold to stabilize the pelvis and help ensure accurate aim during the 43 or so treatments. External marks, tattoos, will also be made to serve as aiming points.

Every day, five days a week for over two months the radiation will attack the cancer from 8 to 10 different angles. Even if the radiation is successful, the drugs will continue for two years; advanced aggressive prostate cancer is tough stuff and hard to treat.

As the radiation progresses the side effects will increase; more on that later. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. Please, guys, remember a PSA test just may save your life. If you do not get a PSA test you may just be cutting a lot of years off the back end of your lives.