Video 24 - Radiation and Hormone therapy - my prostate cancer story

[@simondumoulin2254]

M. Hartley, I salute you. It takes a lot of courage to talk about this and make yourself vulnerable to a large audience. I am Gleason 9 (4+5), stage 4 metastatic. They found lesions on my pelvic bone. At the time of diagnosis my PSA was 24. I was prescribed Casodex + Zoladex. I am on month 4 of ADT. I am on week 4 of Beam therapy. A few months ago, a scan revealed that the cancer had spread to my back. However, my blood work last Friday indicated that my PSA level is now at 0.2! For the last 2 weeks. I have been mostly bedridden. I have every possible side effect known for Zoladex. That said, I am optimistic about my treatments doing what they are supposed to do. I can feel the pain in your voice. Allow me to suggest for you to read "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. His ruminations have provided me with much comfort. Godspeed brother ❤

[@gumbycat5226]

Hi Chris Thanks for sharing your journey. Mine began last August when I discovered that I have grade 5 prostate cancer and had been living with it for four years. I was scheduled for surgery but freaked out at the consequences so changed to radiation. I have been on Androgen Deprivation Therapy for 4 months now and start my 38 radiation sessions in 3 weeks. I am super fit, my metabolic age is 51 although I am actually 66, and the only side effect I get from ADT is brain fog. I never get tired and have all my energy but I lost confidence in my ability to function and gave up driving my car. So it is still my intensive daily exercise program. I did switch to a strictly vegan diet including no sugar or sugar-like substances such as white flour, white rice, corn, potatoes. I have never drunk alcohol, coffee etc so was well placed because my body rhythms have never been interfered with. I am concerned about radiation scarring of my urethra and have done everything to boost my immune system and reduce my body’s tendency to inflammation.

[@ricknowak4582]

I am 70 years old and I'm thinking about proton therapy without the hormone treatments! I've been doing a lot of research and I am going to opt out. Of ADT.

[@ricknowak4582]

Listening to all these stories I sure wish I could do active surveillance. I am trying desperately to avoid all treatments. Metabolic therapy. But I don't know if it will work. Bill Walton Was a vegan and a very healthy person and prostate cancer got him.

[@GregSr]

Hello Chris. Thanks for posting your experience. My PSA had reached 9.8 which triggered the biopsy. I opted to NOT have the surgery. I am just beginning the hormone therapy along with radiation. I got the 1st shot (lasting 3 months) about 2 months ago. I've been to 3 radiation treatments - I'm scheduled for a total of 20. The radiation treatments are easy. It takes 30 minutes to get there and 30 to get home. The actual procedure takes about 15 minutes. The machine makes one rotation. So far I've had a couple of mild hot flashes. My sleep pattern is totally messed up. I'm wide awake at night and sleepy during the day. I'm having difficulty maintaining a positive attitude. I will be 70 in October. My sex drive was only moderate to begin with. Now it's non-existent. Thanks again for sharing. It helps to know what to expect.

[@davidwooldridge544]

Hi Chris - I had my Prostate surgically removed a few weeks ago, and I am four weeks away from my first viable PSA blood test. It appears that all of the Cancer was contained in the Prostate Gland. I would like to keep you posted on my progress. You are my hero regarding this matter. Your honesty and beautiful spirit is extremely inspiring. I will keep you in my prayers, and we are going to beat this together. I utterly believe in miracles, and I also believe that you are going to be on this planet for many, many decades. Take care my brother.

[@alcameron6071]

So with your prostate being removed surgically, I’m assuming that killed your sex life as you know it? I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and the thought of losing what little sex I have just doesn’t sit very well with me. I’m 74 years old but I’m still pretty active in the bedroom. I’m not really sure how I’m gonna handle this yet.

[@MannyPalma1]

Chris, your positive attitude is truly inspirational! You get on with life even in the face of adversity and I love that!

[@chrishartley6966]

Thank you. It is not always easy and I have had my share of bad days but we have try and think about the positive and keep fighting.

[@patriciareynolds2729]

@@chrishartley6966 ED here, u still doing good? my numbers easing up slowly after 3 years/surgery/rad/lupron.????

[@cpecpecpe]

So glad you are doing so well. Taking Lupron with radiation is a great one/two punch. The Lupron starves the cancer making it easier for the radiation to kill it. (I had surgery, 38 rounds of radiation, 27 months of Lupron and 15 months of Zytiga.). You may want to discuss Zytiga. It stops testosterone production from the adrenal gland (why you have to take prednisone) as well as the cancer itself from making testosterone. For me it worked as I had Stage 4A Ductal Prostate Cancer but even though it is advanced I went into remission two months ago. The negative is fatigue. I am proud that you could do a half marathon. I used to be able to ride a bike for 80 miles. Now walking a mile is an issue.

[@chrishartley6966]

Thanks for the advice. I am actually off lupron for now and waiting on my next psa. Good info to have for the future though in case there is a recurrence. Hope you are doing well. I completely understand the fatigue part but know you are doing what you can. Best wishes on a continued remission. Keep fighting!

[@ricknowak4582]

You say that the lupron starves the cancer making it easier for the radiation to kill it huh? Low testosterone works right ,? I I don't believe it!! All these hormone treatments looks like makes you sick, weak, fatigue, depressed. Etc.!!! I am going to refuse all hormone treatments!! I plan on taking proton therapy. So far I'm doing ... Metabolic therapy.. juicing, alkaline vegetables and fruits. Steamed tomatoes. Pumpkin seeds. That kind of thing. But I don't think that's going to work. Looking at you Chris you're so healthy and Young and you exercise and you still can't beat this Mr c. Anyway I've seen reports that hormone treatment isn't necessary for intermediate grade.

[@anthonymiller6081]

Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. Much appreciated

[@ruberice636]

Thank you, sir! Very rarely do I search and find exactly what I'm looking for and need to hear! You talked about everything I wanted to know, and you went thru exactly my route and procedures, damn near to a T. I am about to go into Radiation and Harmon therapy. I feel better, knowing what "may" lie ahead for me! Thank, thank you and thank you for this video!

[@anthonymiller6081]

You seem very brave mate. Take care of yourself and I'm sure things will improve for you

[@nancydrake423]

Thank you for answering. My husband is on the second month of ADT and is supposed to start external beam radiation the middle of June. Waiting for results of PSA that was drawn yesterday. I appreciate you being so honest and informative. I hope each day you feel stronger and are cancer free for the rest of your life.

[@chrishartley6966]

Thank you and I wish your husband all the best.

[@beckyhanby3651]

Thanks again for your time to help others!!! My husband a week ago went through the surgery and is doing well. He has really no leakage since the tube was taken out, and is peeing normally. Dr said all went well and the labs show clean of any cancer getting into the limp nodes! We were so relieved to hear him say those words. Now to wait the 3 months to have a PSA test done. Thank you again for being so real on your channel, and for keeping us all up on what you have been experiencing throughout your journey! I'm just so expressed on how you are running as far as you do!!! Wow!!! Fit and Fab!!! Much love, Becky

[@chrishartley6966]

I am so glad that your husband is doing so well. It is great that the labs came back clean, that is HUGE! The fact he has no leakage is also a great sign. Wishing you all the best.

[@beckyhanby3651]

Chris Hartley His stomach is feeling a bit upset today..not sure why, but the last tube was taken out yesterday. He also had a hernia in the belly bottom taken care of when they took everything else out. Did you feel nauseous the after the last tube was taken out?

[@chrishartley6966]

@@beckyhanby3651 I did not have nausea following surgery. I did have a limited appetite due to the swelling that resulted from the gas the surgeon pumps in you for the procedure. I was fortunate to be back to normal in a few days following surgery. Wishing your husband the best!

[@blancolirio]

Great explanation, thanks Chris. I'll be doing the same thing.

[@davider3568]

Chris, thanks for the posting and your honesty. In a similar situation as you, so the video helps a lot.

[@chrishartley6966]

I am so glad that the videos are helpful. Wishing you all the best. Stay strong.

[@davider3568]

@@chrishartley6966 Thanks Chris. Best wishes to you as well.

[@edwardslizewski3296]

Thanks Chris for your videos. So glade that you are doing well . I’m also in a similar situation. Thank you your videos help me a lot.

[@happydazesurfing4098]

Hey Chris glad to hear the treatment choice is working for you. Your resilience is remarkable! 5 months post op now for me and first bloods came in good. Here's hoping it stays that way. Can't thank you enough dude. These videos always are helping me... 👍

[@chrishartley6966]

So glad your blood work came back with good results. How are you otherwise? Wishing you all the best!

[@happydazesurfing4098]

@@chrishartley6966 I'm pretty much in sequence with your videos. I probably worked out too early for everyone else's liking but thats my sanity. So blood is 0, liners are 1, no hernias and E is medicated . I'm just going to plod along to the next blood check. Tinkering with diet now to see what makes me thrive or irritated.Food is medicine after all. Oh and where would we be without our kegals? It certainly has put perspective front of mind Chris! In short..grateful ! I'm here! Jack

[@chrishartley6966]

Jack Happydazesurfing I am so grateful as well. The Lupron has played a number on me physically. Although I can run, lifting weights has been hard. Lost some muscle with all these treatments. Diet is something that I am working on. Keep me posted and let me know if you find anything that works well for you

[@happydazesurfing4098]

@@chrishartley6966 For now I would suggest the wonder of Autophagy and incorporate its principles into your lifestyle. Muscle and its percentage is a very key element to your overall health and performance so id hit hypertrophy pretty hard. Consider Running might have to park for a while? Plenty of you tube options if you havent already. Start with Dr Siegfried and thoughts on cancer and work through them. You'll soon sift out the rubbish! Happy to get your thoughts on it... Jack

[@Vincent50]

May God continue to bless you Chris. Thank u so much for sharing your experience. I’ve heard from a friend of mine who has gone through radiation and hormone surgery and has said the same thing you’ve shared. I’m finding both radiation and therapy vs surgery have ugly side effects. Cancer I hate!

[@DeeVineDeeZine]

so glad to see these videos are helping others through a difficult time

[@dunbarrn]

Thanks for sharing, I just started going to KZbin for information on prostate ca, it's very helpful, I'm 6 weeks post radical robotic prostatectomy, had my psa drawn today so hoping for non detectable. Still, I know I need to be aware of potential future treatment options and the associated benefits and side effects. Your videos give another aspect to this journey, I'm 71.

[@chrishartley6966]

Best wishes on post surgery recovery. Stay strong and keep fighting!

[@keithwilson6060]

Chris, been following you and a few others on their prostatectomy experience. Mine is about a month away. I appreciate you sharing your journey. Helps a lot.

[@chrishartley6966]

Glad it is helpful. Wishing you all the best!

[@alancollins6438]

Chris, I was diagnosed in March 2019 with stage 4 prostate cancer. My treatment is lupron shot every six months and I'm on Zytiga 1000 mg per day with prednisone. So far im doing good. Hope you are doing well. Just found your site on here so I'll keep watching.

[@chrishartley6966]

Alan, hope you are doing well. Hormone deprevation can be challenging. Hope you are doing well and fighting!

[@luizbarbosa7524]

Thank you for the video. I have taken my first Lupron shot this week in preparation for radiation starting at the end of March, 2019 (no surgery). I also had the SpaceOAR procedure done yesterday. I am keeping my fingers crossed since it is a Gleason 8 cancer. I am lucky it has not spread to my bones. I wish you all the best.

[@chrishartley6966]

Hope you are doing well. I am starting to build up testosterone again as mu lupron shot was only 3 months dose. Wish you all the best through your treatment

[@luizbarbosa7524]

Thank you! @@chrishartley6966

[@raggedyandy74]

Hi Chris great video and appreciated your candidacies in regards to side effects during both treatments. I’m about to endeavour on a similar path with Radiation therapy and Hormone Therapy at the same time with hormone treatments for 6 months and 32 sessions of Radiation so I’m feeling nervous and quite anxious on how I’ll cope during this time. Thankyou your an inspiration to us all mate 👍

[@edwardbertorelli7358]

Thank you for your comments ...it means a lot to share and relate your adventure

[@54849999]

I am in the same situation as you. Thanks for the video. Looking forward the hear your PSA----0000.

[@leelav2290]

Thanks for your video. I am waiting for my visit with the radiologist in early may regarding my cancer.

[@LarsDahlin]

Thank you for your videos. I have just started my own path with prostate cancer and some stuff that has to be investigated some more. You are a great support. All the best to you!

[@chrishartley6966]

So happy the videos help. Wishing you all the best on your journey. I have found ZERO Cancer to be a great resource for prostate cancer research and support. Hope it can help.

[@davidacosta5084]

I wish all the best in this journey to cure your cancer. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer Gleason 6 December 2017 and they put me in active surveillance since then, I am in Canada so things here are different, I wish I have money to go to USA and have a protatectomy privately and take this cancer out of my body because I feel they are just expecting to see me with a more advanced cancer to do something.

[@chrishartley6966]

Hope you are doing well. I know many guys that choose the active survallence route. I would have likely done that as well if my Gleason was lower than 7. It is such a difficult dease with options that are often confusing. Wish you all the best and keep fighting!

[@keithwilson6060]

I'm scheduled for surgery next monday so I'll keep you posted. Turns out my gastroenterologist had the surgery since my last colonoscopy. We had a long, good talk. He's 6 years my junior.

[@chrishartley6966]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

[@donniecollins8871]

I go to the doctor In a few days to discuss treatment options. Thanks for sharing your journey of prostate cancer.

[@chrishartley6966]

My thoughts are with you and your family. I wish you all the best.

[@williamgrant8761]

Hello Chris, Had surgery 18/06/18, four weeks catheter, Post OP PSA: 0.16-0.22-0.17-0.20-0.29 Started Salvage Radiation 20/12/18, Finished 06/02/19 (in total 33). Perhaps a little tired at times, but that could be down to the change of routine, and the sixty mile round trip to the hospital. No proctitis or urine problems (so far). As I did not go for the Hormone option , will have the result soon, about 20/03/19. I am more or less continent, ED since surgery, Vac Pump ordered, will have it next week. Have not read all your observations yet, will do that today. What I have read so far, can relate and agree with. Good Luck.

[@chrishartley6966]

Wishing you all the best on your recovery. The ED took a while for me so hang in there.

[@Davemon1957]

@@chrishartley6966 thanks Chris hope all is well with you my PSA went from .1 to .4 in 4 months so that's not encouraging but I will survive I hate the thought of ADT but I may have to for 6 months For the fellow above and his comment well I suppose I jumped the gun and I apologize to him and you I dont need to turn this resource of yours into something it isnt and I'm not in the group of those that can't see our brothers as just what they are brothers that in my case managed to pick the wrong father lol sorry to all of you cheers

[@shereens1463]

My dad (age 70) was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in October 2017. We opted for radiation as well as HRT's. I did alot of research on side effects. Dad was on Ashwaraganda, this helped with the fatigue and controlled cortisol levels. He still takes black seed oil and Green Vibrance which helps alot. He cut out sugar, sugar is a feeder for cancer. His psa score was 39 it is now 1.3. He also takes apple cider vinegar daily. Good videos to watch is: Chris beats cancer, Dr Berge (What I would do if I had cancer) and Dr Axe ( his mother had stage 4 cancer). While he was having radiation, he was on Astragalus to lessen the effects of the radiation. Thank you for your video. All the best. 🙏

[@chrishartley6966]

Thanks for sharing. I will check them out for sure.

[@shereens1463]

@@chrishartley6966 Hi Chris, gut health is key. Building a strong immune system, Green Vibrance is excellent. Dad cut out sugar, gluten and milk. It's good to eat organic vegetables and fruit as well as grass fed meat. Organic berries are amazing. Find cancer fighting foods. Curcumin is good as well. What doctors don't tell you is that if you are on HRTs it affects your bones, you must take a healthy supplement. Dad had issues with his fingers. Doctors don't promote healthy eating or healthy options. I would rather trust someone who had cancer and beat it. Like I said to my dad's doctor, How would you treat cancer if this was your dad, he couldn't answer my question.... When dad went back last week and had a PSA score of 1.3, he said continue what you are doing. 🙏

[@contemplator1993]

@@shereens1463 Hello! ma'am, my father has local recurrence & having RT with HRT. Ma'am, have you heard about High dose IV Vitamin C to cure cancer? What are your thoughts on it?

[@gr8ride411]

Thank you for your very encouraging and supportive video. My journey is just beginning with a recent Gleason 8 finding from biopsy. Bone and CT scans, as well as a consult with a Radiology Oncologist pending. You provide Hope.👍🏽🙏🏽

[@buddykarl944]

Thanks for sharing. I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in Feb of this year. After firing the original urologist (because he wasn’t very forthcoming with information) and finding an excellent urologist to take over, he decided the best course of action was to start me on the Eligard (another brand name of the same drug for hormone therapy) to cut down my testosterone to contain the cancer. After many delays due to insurance, I finally had my 1st shot at the end of March. Immediate side effect was ED. Second side effect was the hot flashes (most nights are spent getting too hot, throwing off the covers, getting too cold, putting the covers back on, then getting hot again, wash, rinse, repeat) & the 3rd side effect was fatigue. Also, mood swings, mostly the emotional kind (our oldest cat passed away early this month & I sobbed all day), tend to pop up unexpectedly. I had my prostate removed on June 12th by robot & the doctor said the hormone therapy worked a little too well as it was hard to find my prostate (he likened it to it having melted). He spared the nerves on one side, but the cancer had infiltrated the nerves on the other so he removed them (he put in a mesh to help regenerate them though). After pathology, my cancer was rated at T3b, locally advanced, having spread to only one seminal vesicle & a portion of the bladder neck which had been removed. Nothing in the bones or, so far, lymph nodes. As far as further treatment, I had my 2nd hormone therapy shot 9 days after surgery & I’ll have another 10 shots to look forward to (am on it total for 2 years) & will follow up with him in 2 months. He hadn’t mentioned the PSA monitoring, but I will definitely ask at the follow-up. He also wants me to schedule a meeting with the radiation oncologist in his group to discuss having the radiation treatments to go along with the hormone therapy. I had an unrelated, low-grade, tiny bit of cancer in a small polyp discovered during a cystoscope that was removed in February, had a 3 month follow-up cystoscope & there wasn’t a return of that, so my next cystoscope was pushed from 3 months to 6 months, which allows me to concentrate on the post-prostatectomy path to being declared cancer free down the road. Other than the symptoms I mentioned above, I feel great. People expect me to be all shriveled up & appearing sick, but I tell them if I didn’t know I had it, I wouldn’t know I had it. The important thing I’m finding is staying positive helps. It’s not easy staying positive, but I’m trying for the most part...there are lapses, of course, & the ED side effect doesn’t help. I asked the urologist what we can do for that & he wants to work on it after the 2 month follow-up & for me to concentrate on healing before trying. My concern was if the blood doesn’t flow into that tissue after a certain amount of time, the body considers it to be scar tissue & the chances of getting an erection after that are very slim. But for now, I’m just going to have to get used to going through male menopause (my wife is going through menopause, so we can do it together, heh). Good luck with your treatment & I hope you get to declare yourself cancer free!

[@chrishartley6966]

I wish you all the best. I am agree that we have to try and keep a positive attitude although some days are difficult. There are wonderful support groups out there. I work a lot with ZERO prostate cancer. They are a non profit that have a wide range of patient services if you need support. I had those same side effects when my testosterone bottomed out. I was fortunate to only need a 3 months shot during radiation. If erections are an issue now or long term, talk to your doctor about all the alternatives. It is amazing what can be done now with advancements in this area. Best wishes and keep fighting.

[@darylc2799]

My situation is almost identical to yours. About to start hormone therapy for the next 2 years and radiation. How did thing work out for you?

[@Gabriellabonanno]

Glad your doing better wishing you all the best

[@wingingitadventures]

I have 2 treatments left of radiation. Fatigue is a issue for sure, and using bathroom not fun at the moment.

[@alcameron6071]

Hi Chris, I admire your strength at such a young age. I’m 74 years old and I’m still pretty active in the bedroom. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer yesterday and I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it just yet. The idea of losing what little sex life I have does not sit very well with me. I’m not exactly John Travolta and Have women lining up at my bedroom door, but at 74 years old I’m happy to still be able to have sex. Surgically removing the prostate I understand pretty much kills the idea of having an erection much less than normal sex life. I’m curious how you got through it. I’m very bewildered at this point. I was just out for a morning walk and I watched your video. I’m feeling lost at this point.

[@oldtimer150]

When deciding what to do consider how advaced is your cancer growth. I had to make decsion wha t to do an approx. 7 years ago when diagnosed with the Gleason 7, PSA 8 and did nothing until my PSA went up to 50 at the end of the last year. Two months age at ago 74 have taken horomonal therapy and my PSA dropped to 12, no mestatasis, it is expected to drop to 0.1 after 6 months. Some people decide to live with cancer without surgery and treatment making them sick. Some cancer are very slow growing.

[@davidbrown7213]

Thank you again! As you know you go through a lot of videos when you are first diagnosed and you are a very calming voice in my hurricane of worry! Just like in War you fine very few atheist in the fox holes.

[@chrishartley6966]

Glad the videos help. Hang in there and keep fighting!

[@Davemon1957]

I have prostate cancer starting radiation 3/12/19 starting ADT pills today shot next week Gleason 7,4+3 presurgery 3+4 post 2 biopsies were negative DON'T RELY ON BIOPSY ASK FOR AN MRI. it was an MRI that spotted my cancer up abutting my bladder. So the cancer is in my bladder neck, Sex is very important to me I have 70% erection on meds radiation will probably completely destroy the ability that remains than there's ADT I hate the thought of going on this with a passion but I must. Now the real reason for responding the comment about Atheists in foxholes 1) there are many atheists in the military 2) a persons moment of fear will not create a god that isn't there just as it doesn't with the muslim god or hindu gods. When will we ever outgrow this "great god in the sky" nonsense its absurd and much of it's teachings are immoral. If I have a prayer it's to the woman and men of science to concur this terrible disease, here's to you and all of us beating it!

[@chrishartley6966]

I wish you all the best and hope you are doing well. I did not have an issue with the radiation affecting erections. The lupron caused me to have no sex drive but I could still get an erection with medication. I hope you find the same.

[@ebayerr]

What was your initial PSA level? And then retest levels?

[@stephenbravo5154]

Thanks for the video, my father starts hormonal therapy Monday!

[@chrishartley6966]

Hope you dad is doing well. It can be difficult at times so all you can do is be there in his time of need. Best wishes.

[@patriciareynolds2729]

@@chrishartley6966 Ed here, how is it going? I dont like side effects of lupron & read a lot of bad side effects of it.

[@TrevMw]

This was a very useful video. The attention paid to fatigue post hormone therapy does not seem to get the attention it deserves from medics. I note your suggestions with interest. Thank you.

[@briangriffith2394]

Thank you so much for this information

[@seanoleary1979]

10 years ago I had a radical prostetectomy, radiation, and Lupron for 6 months. My PSA bounced back about 2 years after that. I've been on a Lupron cycle of 9 months on and 9 months off for the past 6 years. The 9 weeks of radiation therapy was a walk in the park compared to the Lupron. The Lupron gaves me (and still gives me) epic brain fog and memory issues, massive sleep disruption and insumountable fatigue. It's horrible, but I'm still alive. Are you still on Lupron and if so, how is your response to it? How do you deal with it? I find regular exercise to be the only mitigation of the side effects there is.

[@FelipeGarciaJrMD]

Chris, you are an inspiration to all. I had my radical prostatectomy in Sept of 2019, and pathology was T3b, which it basically went outside the capsule. Positive margins, and Seminal vesicles. My 4 month PSA was 0.389. Obviously detectable. Something I expected. So onto the next phase. Just starting Radiation and will have Lupron injection on Friday. I am a very active man. I box for fitness and was planning on competing one last time in March, which will be placed on hold. I so afraid of Lupron, however based on my pathology, it just makes sense. You are right, 6 months compared to a lifetime is nothing. I am hoping I can continue to workout, and I happen to be a physician. I hope this will not have a big impact on my work. Thank you again. You are indeed an inspriation.

[@chrishartley6966]

I wish you all the best. The Lupron was a challenge and took some adjusting to but you can get through it. Working out, even when I did not feel motivated, helped me mentally and physically. Stay strong!

[@FelipeGarciaJrMD]

@@chrishartley6966 Thank you for taking time out of our day to respond.

[@rickrick5041]

If you expected it was there an advantage of having surgery then radiation and Lupron as opposed to radiation and lupron right away, skipping surgery?

[@FelipeGarciaJrMD]

@@rickrick5041 If I understand you correctly, skipping surgery? For me it was not an option. My entire prostate was infiltrated with adenocarcinoma. Initially MRI revealed all cancer was contained. By the time I went to surgery it had spread outside the capsule. So we thought Surgery would of taken care of it all.

[@rickrick5041]

@@FelipeGarciaJrMD Yes but suppose instead of surgery you had radiation, perhaps brachytherapy and ADT? That hopefully would have taken care of all the problem and also got any cells that travelled anywhere else in your body. I think the cure rate in your situation is the same with surgery as without it. Another thing I just thought of this moment while writing this is why can’t they send the specimens directly to a waiting pathology lab during surgery for at least a preliminary immediate report. Then if there are positive margins, cancer outside the capsule, the surgeon can continue and remove more, such as lymph nodes, the seminal vesicles, etc. There is then a much greater chance of cure and no need of radiation and Lupron. I am to speak to the surgeon tomorrow and if I am lucky I will have a choice between a RP and RT with ADT. If so, I don’t know which to choose. Best of luck and I hope you are cured.

[@chanwtv]

Hey, I'm 3 weeks post op. Been following you. Stay Pos, hope all goes well. Keep us all posted we with you, we all together here.

[@chrishartley6966]

Best wishes on your recovery.

[@lilianatalmon-gros9552]

Thank you for your posts. I would like to ask you what glasgone scor you have had?

[@Jjgolfer331]

thanks again...am confused and hope to talk to one of the urologist early this week....when he talked about the hormone therapy, I assumed a prescription for the pills and see my local urologist for the shots, so I would hate to think I have to travel pretty far each day to take pills...I appreciate you responding, but since your treatment is not completely the same, guess I will have to reach one of them and see if we can work it out...thanks again

[@rickrick5041]

Why can’t you take the pills at home?

[@raybailey1651]

Thanks for sharing

[@MediaCentralTV1]

thanks

[@troytrotter1569]

I was just diagnosed this week. Mine is considered to be caught in the very early stages and the Dr has recommended 40 sessions of Radiation therapy. I am currently waiting to hear from the Dr I was referred to perform the radiation therapy. I have no clue what I am getting into. I was just told that I will be able to recover fully since it was caught so early. Question, you said you go every day for treatment? I don't know how I will do that with work as I am a self employed pet groomer with a full schedule. :/ Thanks for sharing your story.

[@artmaltman]

Very helpful thank you!

[@chrisw1953]

Hey Chris..with what u know now would u have chosen HT/Radiation over Surgery?...

[@warrenmaralit2461]

Hi Chris I am following journey. I would like to ask about the side effects of radiation on your bowel movement?

[@patriciareynolds2729]

ED here, had mine out 18mo. ago psa easing back up .1-.2 , so took lupron shot and started radiation. my friends had proton therapy radiation which was lot easier than awful surgery and less side effects. You donts want surgery, I am strong 64 yr old snd it felt like 38 cal. in gut for weeks! has to be something easier than that, then the cabbage disease, where the stalk wont hold up the head, lol!

[@mcov136]

Thank you for your videos they are very helpful to me. I have a choice of surgery or radiation.. surgery is very risky for me because I have to be intubated. my question for you is a catheter is used to deliver radiation through the penis? and if so is it painful??

[@utoob22]

ive had the surgery but going back in April to see if post op psa of 0.06 goes down or not but based on pathology report Dr says most likely i will need hormine and radiotherapy

[@chrishartley6966]

Best of luck. I know how it is waiting on the PSA results. Hang in there.

[@josephjabr5316]

Thank you for sharing your recovery process, I just had my robotic prostatectomy and I have leakage as expected, I am just wondering if you had any burning sensation while peeing

[@chrishartley6966]

No burning. I did have blood in urine after I started running at week 4 or 5. It went away and caused no issues.

[@bricearthur315]

All thanks to dr Harvey that cured my prostate cancer

[@ransomcoates546]

You’re very young, but in 2021 the trend for the ‘normal’ prostate cancer patient, say 65 and older, is to avoid surgery if at all possible.

[@nancydrake423]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. How long did it take after hormone treatment and radiation ended before you started feeling like yourself. Also, did you lose weight during these treatments?

[@chrishartley6966]

I had my 3 month lupron shot in November and still have side effects. My testosterone come back at 22 just up from 12 a few weeks ago. The doctors are telling me that it can 6 months to build back to normal testosterone levels. The good news is that I felt better a few weeks after completing radiation. My side effects now are mostly hot flashes and a bit of fatigue but not as bad as when I was doing the radiation treatments. I did not have an issue with weight loss. In fact, the Lupron caused me to pack on about 15 lbs. The bad news is that the weight is mostly fat that settled into my mid section and butt. I have working out hard and my weight stays the same. My doctors tell me to keep at it and as my testosterone comes back up the weight will come off. I encourage others to work through the side effects if you can. I know it is not easy. Stay strong and keep fighting!

[@keithwilson6060]

What do they radiate if your prostate is gone?

[@chrishartley6966]

They radiate the prostate bed to kill any remaining cancer cells left behind.

[@markbrown5117]

Great video sir. Don't take sleep aids. That's my opinon.

[@rickrick5041]

How do you sleep without them?

[@rogerembry4777]

Psa was 3.9 Gleason 9 had surgery in 2015 , pas went up had 37 radiation treatments, pas went up again , been on Lupron for 3 years, it’s been awful

[@utoob22]

Hi chris . How are you feeling now. Has libido comeback. How long djd u do hormone for and what is your psa now? Any side effects left after the treatment finished. any pains etc

[@chrishartley6966]

I am feeling much better now. I had 1 three month shot. A three month shot means that your testosterone is lower for about 6 months. It is a gradual decline and incline in overall testosterone. Libido is coming back but not 100%. I had sex throughout treatment with zero libido so as long as you can get an erection, it is still possible. The ability was there even if the desire was not. Still waiting on post radiation PSA. The lupron can reduce psa so they want it out of your system for a more accurate psa reading.

[@utoob22]

@@chrishartley6966 Thats great to hear. Please let us know how you get on. Yes i get the part that as long as u can het erection you can still have sex even tbough no libido. So even though your not in the mood are you in tbe mood once you get started and during sex. Any side effects. Sorry for too many questions

[@chrishartley6966]

I am able to get in the mood once we start. My mind wonders a bit about things like work etc so I have to stay focused.

[@rickrick5041]

@@chrishartley6966 With zero libido was the sex otherwise the same throughout, ending the way it used to?

[@rickrick5041]

@@utoob22 That’s what I wondered

[@Jjgolfer331]

Getting ready to start Hormonal therapy....any suggestions to help the process?

[@chrishartley6966]

My only advise is to be honest with your doctor and supporters how you are feeling and what you need. Try and stay active and fine tune your diet to hedge weight gain. I wish you all the best and stay strong!

[@Barkoff999]

Never take the Hormone therapy if you ever want a sex life again! No Pills will help !!!!!

[@chrishartley6966]

I had a short round of 3 month short during the radiation treatment. I was able to have sex during the hormone treatment although I had no sex drive. Any longer and the Doctor was concerned about potential long term impacts.

[@cathymarshall3100]

Hi can any one tell me what they think of the lupron injection, and how bad the side effects really are. I am asking, my boyfriend is on the lupron,I dont like what it doing to him thank you cathy

[@chrishartley6966]

How long is he expected to be on Lupron? I took a 3 month injection which actually lasts 6 months with the ramp down and back up of testosterone levels. I had bad night sweats, mood swings, depression, no sex drive.....it was very difficult on me and my husband. Back to normal now but I found the Lupron to be the hardest part of my experience so far. I have heard that if you remain in Lupron for extended periods some side effects lessen as you adjust to lower testosterone levels and other stay the same. Wishing you and your boyfriend all the best.

[@williamwells1862]

Talk louder.

[@williamwells1862]

NO fun.

[@hmdanker]

Chris, I’m confused, did you have you prostate removed, and still having the hormone and radiation. My urologist thinks I should have my prostate removed and radiation, I’m receiving hormone therapy now on his orders, My radiation oncologist thinks I can just go with the radiation therapy, 8 weeks, My urologist referred to a surgeon but can’t see him for maybe 4-6 weeks because of demand, so my oncologist referred me to another surgeon I will see in a more timely fashion, as a tie breaker.

[@chrishartley6966]

I had surgery and after a few post surgery PSA tests found my PSA slowly rising. My cancer was was near the prostate wall and I had nerve sparing surgery. Likely there was a trace amount of cancer remaining after surgery attached to tissue on the nerves. I went back for radiation and hormone therapy months after surgery to treat the remains cancer.

[@MannyPalma1]

Chris, your positive attitude is truly inspirational! You get on with life even in the face of adversity and I love that!