Vol. 8, No. 3

Spring 2009

Jerry Bylander, Editor  jerryby@cableone.net

The Director's Column

I have been thinking lately about quality of life for those diagnosed with and those treated for prostate cancer.  There is a movement afoot among the prostate cancer community leaders to consider the importance of quality of life.  This concern arises since, after one has any prostate cancer therapy, his quality of life is seriously compromised.  Therefore current recommendations are to put off any therapy as long as possible.  Usually this waiting is accomplished by watching the PSA.  When the PSA reaches 6+, it will be time to consider choosing and accomplishing a therapy.

Other issues arise since those with pc are mainly older men.  Aging brings with it its own quality of life issues.  So, for those of you involved with therapy timing issues, any quality of life issues must also account for aging effects.  As an example erectile dysfunction may no longer be an issue at the man’s age since ED is already a fact of life.  A list of aging effects on quality of life finds that pc therapies - particularly ADT - magnify the effects.  See the tabulation below:

Aging                                         PC

§         forgetfulness*                more (+)

§         Low energy                    +

§         ED                                 +

§         Brain shrinkage               +

§         Poor sleep and waking    +

and problems with names, misplaced items, what was I going to do when I got here?

I haven’t fully worked out all the consequences of aging and watchful waiting (now known as active waiting, I think), but be aware that this mix must go into your decision process.  Or not!

Jerry Bylander, Managing Director, USToo! Texoma

Our Next Meeting

Date:  Tuesday, May 19, 2009  Time:  6:30 pm - Social & Coffee  7:00 pm - Program

Location:  Classroom 1,  Wilson N. Jones, 500 North Highland, Sherman, Texas
                          
SPEAKER:  Bill Mory, Ed.S., Brief Therapy Associates, Sherman, Texas

TOPIC:  Mediation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Bill Mory has presented meditation techniques to a wide forum of participants.  The presentation I attended was a cancer forum at the Sherman Cancer Center.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:  This program is all about stress reduction, since the immune system is an important part of an individual’s effort to prevent or to contain cancer.  Recently USToo! Texoma has been presenting programs to strengthen the immune system, such as diet, exercise and now meditation.  Meditation reduces stress which causes various chemicals to be released into the blood stream.  These chemicals “knock down” the immune system.

We plan to continue our telephone tree to help get the word out.  We will ask those who want us to continue meeting, to take some names and call before the next meeting.  Please send us names and phone numbers of interested men.

As always the group does not recommend any particular treatment, therapy, physician, or hospital. US TOO Sherman is a prostate cancer group formed for the purpose of sharing information, education, and mutual support.

Our Last Meeting

Topic:  Radiation Therapy

Speaker:  Dr. Mary Hebert, Sherman Oncology Center

Dr. Hebert had an appendectomy at 3am prior to the meeting and Henry Plunkett was “Dr. Hebert” at her request.  Attendees interests in radiation therapy were addressed.

Date & Time:

Place:

Attendance:

14

Other Important Events

Your organization's meetings listed here.  Contact the Editor at jerryby@cableone.net .

Editor's Notes

Material posted here is intended for educational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for informed medical advice from your own physician.

Jerry Bylander, Editor