Ceramic Design Group on thu 7 feb 02
While this is a sort off the clay subject thing....
I am a prostate cancer survivor, now a member of a very exclusive club.
I was diagnosed in May of 2001 with a Gleason 3+3 = 6. Tumor in one lobe,
palpable. (stage TMN2). I am 51, a non-smoker, an athlete, and in excellent
health. Go figure.
I spent from May until August 2001 researching my disease, treatment
options, etc. etc.
No man I know would want to loose his prostate. It plays a major role in
erectile function and there are sphincter muscles close by that control
continence. THere is a very serious downside.
The only "golden cure" for prostate cancer is a radical prostatectemy, or
complete removal of the prostate gland, seminal ducts, bladder neck, and
other plumbing and their reconstruction.
There are radiation treatments to include beam radiation and seed
implantation.
This is what I learned.
Diet is important. But once you have been diagnosed with cancer, it doesn't
go away. 90 Days to Prostate Health (a book and diet plan) don't work. There
are alternative therapies that may work, but the cancer doesn't go away.
Research is important. Attitude is very important. Being an educated patient
is important. Finding the right treatment plan is important, as is the best
surgeon you can find. There are some individuals that may have been healed
by other methods. For me, I wanted the cancer out of my body. If it breaches
the prostate capsule, it goes into your spine first, then your other bones
and lymphatic system are compromised. Basically you are toast.
There are 3 important issues in dealing with having prostate cancer, in
order of importance:
1. Living
2. Peeing/continence
3. Sex/erectile function
I opted to go on living as the alternative just was not acceptable.
I had the surgery on September 23. They surgeon was able to nerve spare 1
complete bundle of nerves. I have an excellent chance at a full sexual
potency. I was in excellent health and physically ready for surgery. The
physical recovery was quite quick. The mental recovery is still difficult.
Pathology confirmed a grade 6 cancer in one lobe with no lymph or bone
involvement. I am now cancer free. My PSA is less than .01. The barometer
for a full recover is no re-occurence after 5 years and negligible PSA.
Continence returned after 6 weeks with a small complication that was easily
rectified non-surgically.I am being very patient with the return of erectile
function. It may be a good year or so. I know the pharmaceutical and other
alternatives.
So guys, here's the skinny. Prostate cancer will kill you if you don't take
care of it. I was an excellent candidate for surgery because of my age and
health. Get the digital rectal exam and the PSA blood test. Go to an
experienced urologist who has the magic finger. My GP did not find any
cancer with the DRE. My urologist did. Yes, it may be unpleasant, but it
will save your life. It saved mine.
Jonathan
--
Jonathan Kaplan
Ceramic Design Group
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
infor@ceramicdesigngroup.net www.ceramicdesigngroup.net
(use PO BOX for all USPS correspondence)
970 879-9139
Plant Location
1280 13th Street
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(use PLANT LOCATION for all UPS, Common Carrier, and Courier deliveries)
Ian Currie on fri 8 feb 02
Hi
I realize this really is off the subject of ceramics, but there is a
connection for me which I will list later, seeking some information.
Firstly I want to thank all my friends who have offered support, and to you
Jonathan Kaplan who hardly know me for contacting me with help. I
appreciate the courage it takes.
So Mel... I am putting up my hand as one of your friends with prostate
cancer, though I would not consider myself "sick". Certainly not right now,
and I don't feel the need for any sympathy, and expect all the sympathy
should be reserved for a few wayward cells with delusions of grandeur making
a take-over bid on the Currie corp. Their days are numbered!
And certainly in comparison with dear friends who have to inject themselves
every day or who have metal moving parts, or who have chronic pain or heart
problems or breast or other cancers... You are far more deserving of
feelings of concern and I would not consider a swap!
My GP and I are on the case. It is in the early stages and under my GP's
direction I am trying the soft options first (in spite of it not working for
some) - radical dietary changes plus supplements, and meditation. We will
do what it takes, even so far as what Johathan has had the courage to
undergo and outline in some detail. However the changes I've made so far
have been very beneficial to my feeling of healthy well-being. Also I have
found that there is a strand of cancer-proneness in one line of my family...
so the measures I'm taking may actually save my life if they prevent the
formation of a more dangerous cancer. I feel very positive and believe it
can work.
This brings me to the matter of diet during the next US tour. I will have
to take responsibility for my food for this trip, and I would appreciate any
help (probably off-list?)... for tracking down the following. My first task
when arriving at a workshop destination will be to visit the following:
-- The local "wholefood" supplier - in particular non-refined foods, fresh
fish, tofu (still checking out the controversy here with soy products), lots
of fresh fruit and vegies... preferably "organic", free of poisons,
insecticides etc.
-- Perhaps the local "health food" store as well
I think there are some US-wide chains with good reputations that handle this
sort of stuff. Can anyone tell me their names? The more the better as I go
to the four corners of the US! and the middle too... Any help and
suggestions will be gratefully received. You can contact me off-list at:
ian@currie.to
I expect to post the itinerary tomorrow
Regards and thanks
Ian
http://ian.currie.to/
> While this is a sort off the clay subject thing....
> I am a prostate cancer survivor, now a member of a very exclusive club.
etc.......
> Jonathan Kaplan
Martin Howard on fri 8 feb 02
Ian's needs for natural foods could be emulated by many others of us, with
great benefit.
I have been veggie for 40 years now and always grown as much organic veg as
possible.
But still, at 62, there are signs that the prostate is not in good working
order.
So, thanks to all on the list, and my wife, I am to visit the doctor for a
diagnosis.
Then it will be a fast on urine and other natural methods advocated in the
website www.prostate90.com
Keeping the pottery clean of dust will also be more of a goal than
previously, so that what may just be an enlargement of the gland with age
does not degenerate into something worse.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Updated 27th January 2002
Cindy Strnad on fri 8 feb 02
There is one other option for prostate cancer that
I know of, and that hasn't been mentioned. My
father was diagnosed with a highly invasive form
of prostate ca three years ago. On the advice of
an M.D. friend, he consulted with a cryosurgeon
near his home in Florida. Cryosurgery is different
and far less damaging than radical prostatectomy.
Also, according to his surgeon (one of the
inventors of the technique), radical prostatectomy
would not have saved my father's life. Cryosurgery
did, was far less expensive, and (full)recovery
was much quicker. Medicare claimed it was an
experimental procedure and refused to pay until
several judges ordered them to do so (even then,
it took them over a year to cough it up). There
have since been many such cases, so I believe
Medicare will be easier to deal with now.
Cryosurgery is not the answer for every prostate
cancer patient, but it's an option worth looking
into. There was, at the time, also a cryosurgeon
in Denver, and I'm sure this procedure is
available in many large US cities. Do a web
search--you'll find quite a lot.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
Kenneth Blue Guill on fri 8 feb 02
Vegaterian Times has some good listings that are trust worthy. kenn
Ceramic Design Group on fri 8 feb 02
on 2/8/02 9:53 AM, Cindy Strnad at earthenv@GWTC.NET wrote:
> There is one other option for prostate cancer that
> I know of, and that hasn't been mentioned.
> Cryosurgery is different
> and far less damaging than radical prostatectomy.
Yes Cindy is right about mentioning cryosurgery for prostate cancer. And
jsut to add, every form of treatment has its downside as well as upside.
Treatment plans for prostate cancer are all different and depend on the
staging of the cancer, the age and health of the patient, and so much more.
It is important to gather as much information as possible and to make a
choice based on inconclusive information. That's the problem. You can do all
the research you want and read all the books that are out there, and there
are really few absolutes.
The big absolute is that you can't ignore the fact that you have prostate
cancer and you MUST deal with it or it WILL deal with you.
That's why "watchful waiting" for me, was not an option.
Jonathan
--
Jonathan Kaplan
Ceramic Design Group
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
infor@ceramicdesigngroup.net www.ceramicdesigngroup.net
(use PO BOX for all USPS correspondence)
970 879-9139
Plant Location
1280 13th Street
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(use PLANT LOCATION for all UPS, Common Carrier, and Courier deliveries)
Dennis Davis on fri 8 feb 02
I agree with everything Jonathan wrote on this subject and I would emphasize the
information in the two paragraphs below. Also, be aware that each individual case
is different. Don't be complacent with a "normal" PSA score and neglect your
yearly exam. For example, for a man aged 60-69 the cutoff PSA is generally 4.5.
Anything below that is considered normal. When I was diagnosed in 1997 (age 64),
my PSA was 1.5. Keep having those exams!
I would be happy to correspond directly with anyone on this subject.
Dennis in Warrenton, VA
dhdavis@erols.com
Ceramic Design Group wrote:
> Research is important. Attitude is very important. Being an educated patient is
> important. Finding the right treatment plan is important, as is the best surgeon
> you can find.
> So guys, here's the skinny. Prostate cancer will kill you if you don't take care
> of it. I was an excellent candidate for surgery because of my age and health. Get
> the digital rectal exam and the PSA blood test. Go to an experienced urologist
> who has the magic finger. My GP did not find any cancer with the DRE. My
> urologist did. Yes, it may be unpleasant, but it will save your life. It saved
> mine.
>
> Jonathan
Tony Ferguson on fri 8 feb 02
I couldn't agree more with Martin about the vegetarian diet. I have been a
vegie for 17 years. With the exception of each individual's karma, you
lessen the odds on everything as well as feel much better, etc, etc, etc,
when taking a vegetarian diet. By not eating tissue, you are not eating the
inherent toxins nor the ones that fester when the tissue begins to
decompose. The Western scientific data is conclusive now that the
vegetarian lifestyle is most optimum and healthy for the human body. IF you
do the research yourself, you will think twice before satisfying your
palette with dead tissue.
rs
Thank you!
Tony Ferguson
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku
Web Site, Marketing & Photography Services for Artists
www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 401
Duluth, MN 55806
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Howard"
To:
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 6:32 AM
Subject: men's issues-prostate cancer
> Ian's needs for natural foods could be emulated by many others of us, with
> great benefit.
> I have been veggie for 40 years now and always grown as much organic veg
as
> possible.
> But still, at 62, there are signs that the prostate is not in good working
> order.
> So, thanks to all on the list, and my wife, I am to visit the doctor for a
> diagnosis.
>
> Then it will be a fast on urine and other natural methods advocated in the
> website www.prostate90.com
>
> Keeping the pottery clean of dust will also be more of a goal than
> previously, so that what may just be an enlargement of the gland with age
> does not degenerate into something worse.
>
> Martin Howard
> Webbs Cottage Pottery
> Woolpits Road, Great Saling
> BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
> 01371 850 423
> martin@webbscottage.co.uk
> http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
> Updated 27th January 2002
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
becky schroeder on fri 8 feb 02
hey, all you studs with prostate cancer have just gone up in my esteem 200%.
we women love you no matter what. actualy we love you even more. sorry to
sound sanguine but that's the way it is.
becky schroeder
>From: Ceramic Design Group
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: men's issues-prostate cancer
>Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2002 14:36:38 -0700
>
>on 2/8/02 9:53 AM, Cindy Strnad at earthenv@GWTC.NET wrote:
>
> > There is one other option for prostate cancer that
> > I know of, and that hasn't been mentioned.
> > Cryosurgery is different
> > and far less damaging than radical prostatectomy.
>
>Yes Cindy is right about mentioning cryosurgery for prostate cancer. And
>jsut to add, every form of treatment has its downside as well as upside.
>
>Treatment plans for prostate cancer are all different and depend on the
>staging of the cancer, the age and health of the patient, and so much more.
>
>It is important to gather as much information as possible and to make a
>choice based on inconclusive information. That's the problem. You can do
>all
>the research you want and read all the books that are out there, and there
>are really few absolutes.
>
>The big absolute is that you can't ignore the fact that you have prostate
>cancer and you MUST deal with it or it WILL deal with you.
>
>That's why "watchful waiting" for me, was not an option.
>
>Jonathan
>
>
>--
>
>Jonathan Kaplan
>Ceramic Design Group
>PO Box 775112
>Steamboat Springs CO 80477
>infor@ceramicdesigngroup.net www.ceramicdesigngroup.net
>(use PO BOX for all USPS correspondence)
>970 879-9139
>
>Plant Location
>1280 13th Street
>Steamboat Springs CO 80487
>(use PLANT LOCATION for all UPS, Common Carrier, and Courier deliveries)
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
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