I phrase it that way because
I am doing nothing -- in the sense that I am not taking hormones or any other medication aimed toward improving my prostate cancer status, as I refer to it.

The fact that I am closely watching the PSA,
and have been since stopping the Casodex and Lupron that I took for three years, until September, 1999,
really means that I am still undergoing treatment, which of course
I expect to be doing for the rest of my otherwise natural lifetime.

This phase of the treatment is referred to as
my First OFF Period of Intermittent Hormone Therapy.

Next came the surprise announcement that my medical oncologist was giving up his current practice in order to cut a better deal for himself by going to work for a nearby HMO. This was another disappointment for me, as was the case when my radiation oncologist who had overseen my radiation ending in early 1997, had followed up for about two years: she retired from private practice to go into research at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. She later accepted an administrative medical position at Surburban Hospital in Bethesda, and in fact is chief of the new medical facility housing an IMRT (intensity moedulated radiation treatment) center. IMRT is the improved successor to the 3-dimentional conformal treatment I had in 1997, where in addition to conforming to the shape of the prostate, the radiation intensity is more precisely controlled.

When it had been five years since my diagnosis, I mentioned this to the members of the Prostate Problems Mailing List, after which I received a barrage of congratulatory e-mail.

At this writing in 2002 I have been off of hormones for thirty-two months with no noticeable effects whatsoever, which is to say that my PSA has remained at or below 0.1 ng/ml during all this time, depending on the assay. I have also seen a new medical oncologist, as I continue to take regular PSA blood tests.

One point of contention we had was that I would like to have other tests, such as CEA, PAP, and CGA. My readings tell me that with a Gleason of 4+4 PSA might be masked to give a falsely low readings and these other markers might pick up cancer if it is there. He surprised me by giving me the CGA (Chomogranin A) test twice, saying that it was ok: the first reading was 32 where normal 2-18 (don't know units), and the

PAP (prostatic Acid Phos.) in the normal range, as was the Neuron-specific enolase when reported in December 2001.

In April 2002 I over-exerted myself walking on a hot day, excessively straining to complete my regular 1-2 mile 45 minute daily walk. The regularity and length of these walks have of necessity been stopped: my legs and I fell to the ground, requiring assistance to make the remaining 0.2 mile home. Since then I have occasionally been required to walk with a cane and am unsteady on my feet. On any given morning I can almost immediately tell myself if I "have" my legs.

My walking gait and balance have not recovered since. A rheumotologist had prescribed ultracet to help remove pains in my lower front legs, which I have had for years before I was diagnosed: I believe I overdosed (6 pills in a day--the day before my legs gave way, and I have at least for now stopped that medication. Next I went back to amytryptyline which my neurologist has prescribed to try to reduce (cover up?) the leg pains. I had been told to stay off the amytryptyline while on the ultracet.

In 2004 and 2005 I fell down several times, luckily did not break any bones. By 2003 I had gone intermittent 1300 days with PSA "stuck" (permanent I hope) on 0.1 ng/ml. (The opening page of this web site gives the exact up to date number). I felt extremely fortunate in 2003 and since. I am having other problems unrelated to prostate cancer, such as aformentione balance difficulties, unsteadiness on my feet and maintaining a proper walking gait, for which I have had several rounds of physical therapy.

And I am quite excited by the enthusiam, camaderie, and information about PCa available at a new Prostate Cancer Support Group I had attended at the George Washington University ("GW"), my alma mater, to which I had beem selected for membership in its 50 Year Alumnni Emeritus Society recently. Getting downto to GW can be a problem and I have not gone there as much as I might like.

I didn't know too much about bone mineral density (BMD) tests (translation: nothing at all) while taking hormones. When I asked my urologist (who was handling the hormones!) he said I didn't need one. Almost immediately I asked my radiation oncologist, and she sent me right away for one. I have had two since, showing progressive bone loss and osteopena. My current medical oncologist then prescribed Fosamax, and when two years have passed, 2003 or 2004 I think, we will have another one to see if the Fosamax delivers the goods. Thanks to Jack Jennings of the Prostate Problems Mailing List, I am reminded of my oversight in not mentioning the importance of BMD.

Time flies when you are busy, alive, and glad of it, and much more fully appreciative. In 2005, I helped out as a Volunteer in the Prostate National Conference at the Omni Sheraton Hotel in Washington, DC. My bone density has decreased with the weekly Fosamax. Fosamax doesn't work for everyone, but it has for me. The bad news for me in late 2004 and to date is that I have developed weak knees (unreleated to prostate cancer), walk with great difficulty, cannot easily maintain my balance. This has restricted my travel and I have not been able to attend the PCa support groups as much as I would like My great medical oncologist Dr. James Brown) is about to retire. He is one of the few doctors I have ever had who treats the whole body, not just his specialty (which includes hematology). Where he cannot treat me he nudges other appropriate doctors to handle my situations and sends detailed written reports regularly to them. Currently he is concerned with recently detected anemia I have, and is treating that for me, aranesp being the latest medication. My red blood count has been wavering. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds. I am quite happy with my present situation, all things considered: just wary and weary.

Check to see what is going on. And do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail.

And thanks loads for coming along this far!! I needed the support.