From what many have described here about PC hormone therapy, chemo may be
much less debilitating, especially in the long run. Any of them beat the
ultimate effects of your mets. You sound strong and accepting of your plight
(in the sense you're fighting but not woe-is-me about it), which I think is
critical to as good a future as can be expected with your numbers. Hang in
there, fight back, and realize you've done all you can . . . which is more
than I did with my younger case ("successful" surgery a year ago but no
adjuvant hormone therapy). Best of luck.

I.P.

good luck Jim. . Here's to a relatively side effect free chemo experience.
Lori

Jim...

we all send the best prayers and wishes your way.

We all hope for the best.

Ron B.

Chicago

Jim, FYI
I'm not sure how valid this study was since it was so small.
Nevertheless, here it is.

May 23, 2005 -- Pomegranate juice may help thwart the return of
prostate cancer after surgery or radiation for the disease, says a new
study.

The trial was the first of its kind and was fairly small, so it's not
the final word on the topic. Further studies should be done, say the
researchers, who included Allan J. Pantuck, MD, assistant professor of
urology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Their findings were presented in San Antonio at the American Urological
Association's 2005 Annual Meeting.

Prostate cancer is the No. 2 cause of cancer death among U.S. men. It's
also men's most commonly diagnosed cancer after skin cancer, says the
American Cancer Society (ACS). Prostate cancer is usually seen in older
men.

Study's Results

The study included 48 men who had been treated for prostate cancer
through surgery or radiation. The test the researchers used measures
the amount of a protein produced by the prostate; in men that have had
surgery or treatment for prostate cancer, it can be used to guide the
success of treatment or progression of prostate cancer.

At the study's start, the men's levels of protein-specific antigen
(PSA) were between 0.2 and 5. The men also had Gleason scores of 7 or
lower (lower Gleason scores indicate less dangerous tumors).

PSA levels were checked every three months during the study.

The men drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily until their disease
progressed.

Drinking pomegranate juice significantly lengthened the amount of time
it took for the men's average PSA levels to double (from 14 to 26
months, on average), says the study.

No serious side effects were reported, the juice was well tolerated,
and none of the men developed cancer that spread beyond the prostate
during the study, write Pantuck and colleagues.

Pomegranate's Key Chemicals

Pomegranate juice contains antioxidant chemicals that may have
cancer-preventing benefits, the study notes.

In particular, polyphenolic flavonoids may be important in pomegranate
juice, write Pantuck and colleagues. Those chemicals are also found in
fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, and soybeans.

Jim,
You are in my prayers for good results. My mother is in the middle of
big-time chemo following big time surgery for ovarian cancer. She's
done very well with it, and is planning trips she wants to go on when
it done. Chemo is not always terrible. Those are the cases everybody
hears about.
Steve U

I suspect it will kick your butt, but that you will survive it and get over
it quickly.  I am very sorry to hear that HT went refractive so quickly.

Hello Jim,
   Life is a "crap shoot"
I do wish you luck.  I have no majic bullet other than being strong, and
always fighting.
Please never give in..... Always fight.....
I know how it feels, but what else can a guy do.
Love your wife, and children, and there children.
John Loomis.....
Wish you more than the best........I give you an extra prayer..

My best wishes to you and your family.  I hope the
chemo puts you in remission for a long time.

If you are game for it, and if there are any available near
you, you might also look into clinical trials of new
experimental therapies.

Two that we have read about that looked initially promising
are phenoxodiol and a cancer vaccine (but its for treatment,
not prevention.)

There is a guide to clinical trials from the National Cancer
Institute at:

  http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/findtrials

Their basic trials search form is at:

  http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/

My personal experience in a clinical trial was very positive.
The doctors I met were very knowledgeable, their examinations
were more thorough than any I had ever had, and all of their
treatment and followup care was completely free - paid for by
their research funds.

Best of luck to you.

   Alan