My journey..........part 3.

October 14 2017

For the past 7 weeks, each Friday morning, I had Intravenous vitamin C treatment. Most of the time other people were also there at the clinic for Intravenous treatment for various conditions. We all sit in a small room, in a large comfortable chair, next to each other. The room accommodates 4 chairs.
Last Friday, October 13, there were two ladies with breast cancer having their IV-C treatments as well. They talked about  a cancer community support group in Brampton called Wellspring.

Wellspring (www.welspring.ca) is a lifeline for cancer support. It is a community based support for cancer patients and their care givers. Membership, services and all programs are provided free of charge. It is founded by Ann Armstrong Gibson in Toronto in 1992. Ann had cancer and realized the need of a community support group for cancer patients to cope with their struggles.
Wellspring is a non profit organization, funded by the generosity of donors.

Wellspring Chinguacousy, Brampton

There is a Wellspring center in Brampton not far from home; so I registered on-line to be a member and also for one of their programs on nutrition.

November 03 2017

Finally the day has come. Tuesday, October 31, I saw Dr, Mohseni to discuss my biopsy result. The Gleason score was 7 (3+4) on the right side and 6 (3+3) on the left. Dr. Mohseni explained about the test, he said that my cancer is considered intermediate risk. For me he recommended radiation treatment or active surveillance.
He arranged for me to see a radiation oncologist to get a second opinion, and he also gave me a book to read - "Prostate cancer, understand the disease and its treatment" 4th edition, by Fred Saad, M.D. and Michael McCormack, M.D.
Dr. Mohseni wants me to really understand about my disease and the treatment options; and learn it from experience professionals in the field. He is a very nice and caring doctor.

Biopsy result

That same day in the afternoon, I went to see my GP, Dr. Kristof to update him on my biopsy result and to ask for a PSA test requisition. I like to know my current PSA number to help me decide whether to go for radiation or active surveillance; besides I had 10 weeks of IV vit C treatments since my last PSA test.

Yesterday, November 2, I got my PSA number - 10.2. Not what I hoped for. I was hoping that the number will be lower than 9.7, which is the PSA number from 3 months ago before my IV C treatments. So the number went up slightly.
I decided to stop the IV C treatments for now. It may have helped me with recovering fast and fully from the biopsy, perhaps also preventing spreading the disease. But I am a little disappointed with my PSA number, I expected to be lower than 9.7 after 10 sessions of IV C treatments. For now I will take high doses of liposomal vit. C orally, about 4+ grams a day. I will have another PSA test in 3 months time.

Next Monday, November 06, I will attend "The Healing Journey, level 1; coping with cancer stress" course at Wellspring. This is my 3rd course, the first 2 courses that I took were about "Nourishing". I am looking forward for this course.


November 07 2017

Received a call from Credit Valley hospital cancer center for an appointment to see Dr. Yuen, the radiation oncologist. My appointment is set for Monday November 13 at 2;00 PM.

I read the "Prostate Cancer" book, given by Dr. Mohseni; it has many good and solid informations about prostate cancer and its treatments. One test that I have not seen mentioned before is the PCA3, Prostate Cancer Gene 3 test; it is a gene based urine test.
This book also mentioned Focal therapy for localized prostate cancer. The cryotherapy and the HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) are two that are available in Canada and being evaluated. I will learn more about them as they are less invasive compared to radiation.

The Nourishing and Healing Journey courses I attended at Wellspring were very good and helpful for me in my journey controlling my prostate cancer. I am looking forward to continue learning from these courses.

November 15 2017

On Monday, November 13, I went to Carlo Fidani Cancer Centre, Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga to see and consult with Dr. Yuen the radiation oncologist.
Dr. Yuen explained about the two radiation treatments that they have for me at this hospital and also the side effects of those radiation treatments. I do not like those side effects.
We discussed about other less invasive treatments like Cryotherapy and HIFU. He mentioned that Princess Margaret Hospital has a clinical trail on Focal Ablation treatment for prostate cancer and he could refer me to apply for that trail, I may qualify.

The following day I called Dr. Mohseni office for an appointment to discuss further about my options. I am inclined to do 'Active Surveillance' for now but at the same time I do not want to miss the window for treatment before the cancer spreads.
I keep telling myself - "Do not worry, do not hurry". When you have cancer you can not help thinking about it.

Earlier today I called Dr. Yuen office and asked to be referred for the Focal Ablation clinical trail at Princess Margaret cancer center.