update to my guide to salvage radiation

I have updated my one-page guide to salvage radiation, which encapsulates everything I have learned about the subject as a patient. I just now added links to two very useful articles about SRT--the recent PCRI Insights newsletter article ("Nine Decisions") which is written in a style and vocabulary that just about anybody should be able to read; and "Salvage Radiotherapy for Patients with PSA Relapse Following Radical Prostatectomy: Issues and Challenges" by Richard Choo of Mayo. Dr. Choo's article is a regular medical journal article meant for practitioners, but patients who have been researching the ins and outs of SRT should also find this article invaluable.
The full text of both articles is freely available.

To my U.S. readers--have a great Labor Day weekend!

Stand Up to Cancer

Thought for the Day

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Sir Winston Churchill, Speech, 1941, Harrow School British politician (1874 - 1965)

Thought for the Day

Here's to the doctors and their healing work
Here's to the loved ones in their care
Here's to the strangers on the streets tonight
Here's to the lonely everywhere

Here's to the wisdom from the mouths of babes
Here's to the lions in the cage
Here's to the struggles of the silent war
Here's to the closing of the age.

Here's to you my little loves with blessings from above
Now let the day begin
Here's to you my little loves with blessings from above
Let the day begin



                                                       - The Call, "Let the Day Begin"

(Photo credit: Jaqian.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaqian/85569793.  Used under Creative Commons license.)

Nine Decisions

The "Nine Decisions Before Electing Radiation Therapy" in the May 2010 PCRI Insights newsletter could not have been more well-written.  Nathan Roundy is the new editor, and "Nine Decisions" is his first article for Insights.  He covers all the bases, and touches on all the recent, relevant research into salvage and adjuvant radiation.  I also liked the article on Provenge. 
I may have to subscribe!

PSA less than 0.1

Again!

Photo credit: bingbing. Used under Creative Commons license. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bingramos/126661740/

blood draw

It's that time again.  This PSA test will be at about 39 months post-salvage RT.

"Tell your fortune, sir?  Step right up, put your arm out right here, make a fist and Bob's your uncle.   Now, if the little number comes back "less than one" then your lordship is all right, see?  But if it goes the other way...well, let's just say you're in for a change, right guv? Am I right, am I right sir? Nudge nudge wink wink!"

Blood draw yesterday (June 25).  Results next week.