Hi my name is Pas, my wife's name is Colleen. I have four daughters and I was a very active man who worked for the Country Fire Authority as well as running my own business from home. I was 48 years old when I was diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer, on 03/05/2006.
I had pain in my back and shoulder, no other symptoms. PSA was 433 ng/ml. It is in the bones, every bone except my arms and legs at this stage. I first had Hormone injections every 4 months. My PSA dropped from 433 ng/ml to 6.0 ng/ml. Then it went down to 2.5 ng/ml in September of 2006.
I had another injection in January 2007, PSA had risen to 46 ng/ml. The pain had comeback and I was put on Ms Contin for pain management. I had radiation to my shoulder and pelvis for pain management. PSA is still rising. I spent 2 weeks in a Palliative Care unit to get the pain under control. My haemoglobin was down, had a blood transfusion, it helped.
It's 21/05/2007. At this stage my PSA has risen to 125 ng/ml and my next option is chemotherapy or I have under one year to live.
Well I have had my first lot of Chemo, it's called Mitozantrone. I did feel sick and got very tired from it, but other than that it went well. My PSA has risen from 128 ng/mlto 280 ng/ml. The doctors said that it will rise a bit. I am due to have my second treatment next Tuesday 17th July. Will keep you updated when ever possible.
Well it is sixteen months since diagnosis and I have passed my initial PSA level of 433 ng/ml.
It has been fifteen weeks since I started Chemotherapy. My PSA has risen to 671 ng/ml and I am currently on 100mg Fentanyl patch with oral morphine for break through pain. I am due for my fifth dose of chemo and before I have that I will be talking to the oncologist on whether it is worthwhile to keep on chemo at this stage. I am having about three units of blood every three weeks with the chemo as well as Zometa for the bones.
The family is upset as I am as well. I have had a stomach bug that has left me so tired from not eating. I have lost 6 pant sizes since I went off the Dexamethasone ( Steroid ). As well as not being able to hold down food. I will try to keep you posted on what else happens from now on.
Hello fellow members of Yana. It's now October 2007 and my PSA is over 1200 ng/ml. This cancer has been and is still fighting me.
I have had five doses of the chemo drug Mitozantrone with Zometa and blood every 3 weeks. I'm still going to keep going. I'm due to have my first dose of Taxotere on 6th November, 5 days after my 50th Birthday. I am currently on 150mg Fentynal Patch for pain with oral Morphene for break through pain.
We celebrated our 25th Wedding Aniversary in September, I was in hospital at the time. At the moment I am in a lot of pain due to the Zometa.
I will try to keep you posted of what is happening.
Hello, this is Colleen, Pas's wife.
Pas is in hospital now, he won't be coming home to stay again. Pas's PSA is over 3000 now and his body is shutting down. He had another 2 doses of the chemo drug Taxotere but they didn't do anything. It's a battle that has been in front of us from the beginning. He has been so positive through out his treatment that he has been an inspiration to all who know him.
I take him out in the wheel chair every day and bring him home for meals. He is in the hospital in our town and it's close to us now. I decided last week to stop all treatments as it's not doing anything at all. He is not in pain and is comfortable, thats the main thing.
It's a tough time at the moment but we are still creating heaps of beautiful memories. Our girls are taking it very hard, especially our 14 year old. She keeps saying that it's not fair as Dad was able to teach the other girls to drive and he was there for their 18th and 21st birthdays. It's affecting her terribly as it is with all of us.
I just want to say a huge Thank You to Terry and this wonderful web site for letting us be here and to get our story heard.
God Bless you all and Have a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Pasquale, Colleen, and our 4 wonderful Daughters
Later:
Pas lost his battle this morning December 18, 2007 at 4.20 Am. He is at peace now.
Thank You all for your wonderful support during his illness.
Colleen, Malina, Alicia, Annmarie and Jasmine
