Causes, prevention and humane, up-to-date treatment
Real-life research by Al Smith and Faith Warn
Travels Around my Prostate
by
Al Smith
When I became aware of problems in the bladder area I needed
a project as a focus for my anxiety.
A weblog, "My Life - Already?", was born.
The title says it all, really. My life since day one.
Prostate cancer entries are incidental in the musings about life
in general, but I have pulled them out into a collection more or
less chronicling my journey from symptoms to the present day
Future updates will appear on Latest page on this site while
business as usual will continue on My Life - Already?
"Live - as if
you die
tomorrow.
Learn - as if
you will live
forever"
Al Smith
My Life - Already?

Let's give it a go - My first blog post
1 Nov 2004
Here I am with that tune bouncing around in my skull. September Song. That's
the one. Rattling on about days dwindling down to a precious few.
Feeling fine. Just the occasional indicators of passing years that flicker
peripherally if I leave the door ajar. Mind you, it's not easy to shoulder that door
closed, barefoot at 2.15am in the stone floored bathroom. These unscheduled
but urgent drowsy stumbles down the steps from the bed platform are getting
annoying. An unwelcome commercial break in my dream programme.
So, what to do at 71? Living with my lovely wife on this idyllic yet often
maddening Greek island and into computers since Clive Sinclair's little marvel
and the 8k Commodore Pet.
My pre-breakfast routine is logging on to The Guardian. It's Thursday so straight
to the Online supplement for the latest techie fix.
There's the answer! A web log.

Next patient - please
23 Nov 2004
What image do you have of living on a tiny Greek island, approximately 10 miles
by 5? Many first-time visitors bring their own tea-bags and cornflakes. They are
surprised to find mini-markets stocking these items and many others familiar to
the shelves of their local Tesco or national equivalent.
Another worry is "What if I fall ill?"
Ochi problema.
We have a hospital (where my hernia has been stitched together) and enough
dentists and doctors to fill Yellow Pages.
Whatever your ailment you will find a specialist. Just walk in off the street. No
appointment necessary. Mind you, your first visit to the doctor can take you
aback. The surgery door normally stays open with the next patient in line
standing there waiting (and almost certainly listening). Just hope he doesn't
understand English.
If the waiting room is particularly busy and you are feeling peckish you could
strike lucky with a visit from Pantelis, the multi-lingual peanut seller offering fresh
Tony Blair peanuts (they were John Major peanuts when we first arrived here).

Pointing the finger
24 Nov 2004
I've just been to see a urologist.
"Do you smoke?" I shook my head, wondering what this had to do with my nether
regions. "Well, I do," as he lit up and treated me to a lungful of passive.
He then went through the possible implications of my night time treks to the
bathroom, illustrating the talk with sketches on a blank prescription. He
described the organs involved, possible surgical procedures, side-effects and
life expectancy. His punchline was that by this stage in the consultation many of
his Greek patients say they'll commit suicide!
Then came the rubber glove and lubricant stage. "Greek men, especially
priests, find this very hard to take. Demeaning."
So, if you decide to visit this gem of the Dodecanese, relax. And leave your tea-
bags at home.

I really must get up
2 Dec 2004
Desperate. That was the word that started the chain of thought. Desperate for a
pee. I really must get up.
Desperate Dan. In the Dandy. Shaves with a blowtorch. Eats cow pie. You know
it's cow pie because of the horns sticking out of the pastry.
I blink in the midday brightness with the Saturday morning cinema club sing-
song echoing, 'We're all for one and one for all, the East Ham Granadiers.'
Shockingly bright with the fall of snow which had quietly settled while we were
heading them off at the pass with Hopalong Cassidy.
Sliding in solid snow of the tyre tracks from the occasional car, I dash along
Wakefield street. Hurrying to be one of the first to the counter where all the slim,
war-time comics would be spread enticingly. That little newsagent's shop in
Katherine road, right next door to the acrid smelling shop where I took the
accumulators from our wireless for re-charging each week. The old chap usually
saved his week's comic ration for the gang of us from the Granada. Might be a
Dandy if I'm lucky - although I am tending towards the story comics, the Hotspur,
Wizard or Rover, these days.
One of the boys slopes off with a free Beano while the shopkeeper reaches for a
jar of acid drops from the shelf. Fourpence a quarter in a paper bag.
No Dandy, though. Manage to spend my tuppence on the last, slightly torn,
Adventure.
It's no good, I really must get up . . .

Jetsetting blogger
16 Dec 2004
We've just booked the flights and are off to the UK in January. Triple purpose -
to see family and friends scattered around England, a little more finger pointing
from a different viewpoint and to visit the Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel and
Sports show at London Olympia to do some research on behalf of the Kalymnos
tourism office.
Kalymnos was 'discovered' a few years ago and has become a mecca for sport
climbers from around the globe. They come year round, although obviously the
peak summer months - July/August - are very hot an a little unfriendly for this
activity.
Also, the island is pulling out all the stops to attract scuba and free-divers to its
unexplored waters, and will be holding its second annual diving festival in
August/September 2005

Up, up and away
13 Jan 2005
Taking a quick break from packing for our UK trip this afternoon. This is not the
best time to be heading for wet, windy and cold England. Kalymnos is enjoying
its seasonal halkyónes meres - halcyon days - with an 'oiled' sea, sunny skies,
20c and frappés - iced coffee - on the harbour.
The consolation will be meeting up with family and friends, seeing the
countryside and taking in the London scene. The jazz, arts and theatre - which
will all help take my mind off the prodding and poking my nether regions are due
to be subjected to tomorrow afternoon ;-((

Pointing the finger - again
24 Jan 2005
Snowing today. Just when I thought it was safe to go for a walk around town.
My cold has gone (just leaving a nasty, chesty cough) so I thought a little leg
stretch might help the recovery along. The snow's not settling but it's cold, grey
and wet out there. I might brave it.
Faith is in deepest Somerset, consulting with an old friend on strategy for her
new book and visiting cousin Palden in Glastonbury, so I ventured out last night
with Adam. He drove me out to a blues jam at High Barn Great Bardfield in the
wilds of Essex. Got a little lost in the dark but it was well worth the journey. The
venue was what appeared to have been an old barn. Renovated into a club
dedicated to music for all tastes. We enjoyed 3 solid hours of improvised blues
played by a rotating series of very fine musicians. So much talent. AND, a big
plus, we journeyed home without the usual ear-ringing symptoms of an over-
driven sound system - the bain of so many of these events.
Called brother Roy and sister-in-law Brenda this morning to catch up with things.
Hope to meet up soon (after tomorrow's visit to the urologist for a chat and
examination). It will be interesting to compare his style and technique with his
Greek counterpart! My buttocks are clenching at the very thought . . .

The finger has pointed and now moves on
26 Jan 2005
I can unclench now. The urologist was a VERY nice man with a perfect bedside
manner. All the time in the world to explain everything and answer all questions
fully (mind you, I was paying). The examination was very thorough, indeed. In
fact, I was beginning to feel he was being a little too thorough by the time he was
finished. It was certainly a more comrehensive going over than the tentative
poke I had received from his Kalymnian colleague!
The bad news is that 'iregularities' were encountered and an MRI scan is the
next step. Then, should I go for an invasive biopsy attack on my body or pursue
my holistic 'whole body health' approach to the problem? Decisions, decisions . .
. Answers, please, on a postcard
The good news is that the sun's shining, birds are singing and the temperature's
rising

The pit and the pendulum
2 Feb 2005
It's a bit like that film, The Pit and the Pendulum. When the guy is strapped down
and slowly inching towards the swinging axe to be sliced into two equal servings.
At first sight, the MRI scanner looks scary. A beige tunnel just big enough to
slide a body through. Claustrophobia is the first reaction. And the second. And
the third. Lots of comforting talk and confidence-inspiring words from the lady in
charge of the switches and monitors in the control room and then I am
positioned on the tray with my feet in the tunnel. No need to undress, although I
have to pull my trousers down to my knees. "The metal zip is a problem in the
magnetic field." I am given a blanket to cover my blushes.
A panic button is placed in my hand and ear defenders are clamped onto my
head. The bed slides slowly into the tunnel and my nether regions positioned
precisely for the best pictures. I'm very relieved that this leaves my head just
outside the gaping maw. Some more calming words over the headphones and
then I understand the need for the ear protection. Even with these I can hear a
series of clicks, clunks and hums as the magnetron, or whatever it's called, revs
up. This builds into a very lifelike sound effect of a demolition squad on overtime
as my bones and organs are photographed. Then there's a break and a voice
asks if I'm OK and tells me I'm doing well. The bed moves forward a few
centimetres and the squad resumes its demolition.
Faith has given me some meditation tips which I try. No way with this racket
going on. So I try to visualise myself in my boat 'Guardian Angel', hauling in
some fish from from that calm Kalymnian sea. That works for a while until I catch
myself drifting into sleep. I fight this, reasoning that I could panic when I wake in
the machine.
Thirty minutes later it's done and the bed slides back out. It's not finished,
though. My doctor has decided she would like a liver scan, as well. If you are
familiar with anatomy you'll know that the liver is higher up the body than the
prostate. You've guessed it. This time my head goes into the tube, but not
completely. Just as far as my nose. One advantage of my 6 feet 3 inches is that I
can just see the outside world, although by this time I have conditioned myself
and claustrophobia is no problem.
This scan involved lots of breath holds. "Breathe in and hold for 20 seconds -
well done, breathe freely". Another thirty minutes and it's all over. A coffee with
Faith in the hospital restaurant and now just a few days wait while the doctor
analyses results . . .

The enemy within
6 Feb 2005
How many of you have reclined in that comfy chair while your friendly dentist
pokes and prods your molars? Then comes the drill, the mini vacuum cleaner
and then the filler to patch up the hole. "Rinse, please," and it's all over - or so
you believe.
Did you stop to ask what was in the filling compound? Mostly we just mumble
'thank you' through numb lips and head home. If you did enquire, did your
dentist tell you that he had just implanted one of the most toxic metals - mercury
- into your mouth and that it would steadily poison your vital organs for the
lifetime of the filling?
Enter 'dental amalgam' into Google to see what I'm rattling on about.
Those of you who have been following this blog will know that I'm on a journey of
discovery following the diagnosis of 'irregularities' in my prostate. The urologists
in Greece and England, the MRI scan of my pelvic area and liver, and the
decision to be taken about surgical or holistic (or a combination of both)
teatment routes. One step along the way has been a visit to a holistic dentist,
who revealed the 'amalgam conspiracy' that has kept most the dental profession
in business for decades.
I have about six amalgam fillings quietly carrying out their deadly work. Not only
do they seep the poison, but they create elctrolytic activity in the head far in
excess of the brain's normal levels. I'll leave you to guess at the possible
consequences of that. A simple test with a voltmeter on my fillings revealed
enough activity to 'light a small torch bulb'.
So, my next step is to get the amalgam out and replaced with a more user-
friendly filling. Watch this space . . .

Decision time
7 Feb 2005
So, now we know. After all the to-ing and fro-ing to urologists and blood tests
and PSA measurements, the MRI scan has come up with some answers. Not
very welcome answers. The images are showing uninvited guests taking
advantage of my body's hospitality and attempting to take up permanent
residence
How to evict these squatters?
Do I send in the heavy mob with conventional, chemical and/or nuclear
weapons? This route inevitably leaves a trail of side-effects and after-shocks.
Even the probability of some nasty insurgents regrouping after having taken
shelter during the offensive.
An alternative is the 'alternative'. The holistic approach to rally my body's
defences to infiltrate and overpower the invader. I am already on this route
anyway by ridding myself of insidious poisons such as the mouthful of mercury
amalgam fillings. This will happen during the coming week. I am also on a
cleansing routine backed up with natural supplements and shall very probably
be commencing a routine of Qi Gong.
The third way is a combination of conventional and alternative, but my gut
feeling at the moments is option number two.
Decisions, decisions . . .

Open wide, please
11 Feb 2005
It's something like a condom for the mouth. Or what's the female one called?
The headgear that ladies wear in Holland . . . ?
Anyway, the dentist called it a rubber dam (that Dutch connection again). A
sheet of rubber that goes in the mouth to protect against mercury being
ingested as he drills out those nasty amalgam fillings. The teeth to be worked on
poke though a hole in the dam and an oxygen tube is placed in the notrils to
avoid finishing up with a dead patient in the chair.
"Would you like to watch a video?" I declined (just having spotted the complete
Friends collection on the shelf) and opted instead for Classic FM soothing away
on the radio in the background.
My lower right jaw was to be worked on. Three amalgams to remove and a
couple of small cavities to be filled. Now, you all know what it's like having your
teeth drilled. It's much the same having fillings removed. The big difference was
watching fragments fly in all directions. Thank goodness for the dam and safety
glasses.
I was in the chair for about 90 minutes. The first thirty were spent getting over
the shock of the cost estimate for de-toxing my whole mouth. During the
remaining period I actually almost went to sleep! This guy was so good with his
drill.
That's 25% done and I'm not at all apprehensive about my future appointments
to complete the job. I might even watch Friends. You know, the one where Joey
has a root canal . . .

Odyssey UK (1)
24 Feb 2005
Home at last!
Home from the odyssey to unravel the truth about my body and its stirrings of
rebellion.
The journey - and, I suppose, this blog - began last year with annoying
nocturnal needs. Visits to local doctors, together with a couple of worrying PSA
tests, decided me to seek further opinions in the UK.
That round of consultations, tests, examinations and an MRI scan confirmed that
my body had bcome rebellious and unbalanced enough to make my prostate
cancerous. Not the happiest end to my quest.
The end was also the beginning, though. The beginning of the rest of my life.
That old cliché.
Invasive and destructive treatments are not my scene. Also, the policy of beta-
testing on trusting patients by the pharmaceutical giants - and their outrageous
profiteering - makes me anti drugs.
However, desperation for a good night’s sleep without 5 or 6 toilet breaks
persuaded me to use some (very expensive) prescription pills to relieve the
symptoms. And they are doing the trick. So far.
But, what about long term? The knife? Chemo? Radiation?
Or could there be something else . . . ?

Odyssey UK (2)
26 Feb 2005
Or is there something else . . . ?
I believe there is. Not alternative, which was being sought during the early
stages of the odyssey, but complementary. To complement the supplements
and thoughts which are restoring my immune system. And to complement the
hideously expensive pharmaceutical that I am obliged to take to suppress my
symptoms.
It is Qigong (pronounced che gung). Don’t ask me to describe it, but this quote
from a Qigong website will give you the flavour.
"Qigong is a combination of two ideas: “Qi” means air, breath of life, or vital
energy of the body, and “gong” means the skill of working with, or cultivating,
self-discipline and achievement. The art of Qigong consists primarily of
meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing
exercises. Practitioners of Qigong develop an awareness of qi sensations
(energy) in their body and use their mind to guide the Qi. When the practitioners
achieve a sufficient skill level (master), they can direct or emit external Qi for the
purpose of healing others. . ."
I was lucky enough to find in England a specialist trained to teach a style of
Qigong specific to those diagnosed with cancer. She took me in at short notice
and patiently instilled in me enough knowledge to bring back to Kalymnos. I have
started to practice and already I am looking forward to getting up each morning
for a new session.
And, as a bonus, Palden - our cousin and guru in Glastonbury - has organised a
prayer circle for me tomorrow. Candles will be lit at 7pm (1900 UTC). It’ll be great
if you join in and send me a positive thought . . .

Global warming
3 March 2005
I’m feeling guilty about not posting this message before now. I never dreamt that
my throwaway line at the end of my last post about the prayer circle would get
such a response.
Sincere thanks to all who directed their warm fuzzies and Qi towards this tiny
speck in the Aegean last Sunday at 1900 hours UTC. All those candles must
have given the ozone layer watchers a start!
Now, I don’t want to milk it, but cousin Palden says that this prayer circle is
ongoing every Sunday . . .

There, I've said it!
10 March 2005
I've got cancer. There, I’ve said it. My previous posts have more or less said it
but not in so many words.
I’ve got cancer. BUT, I am not suffering from cancer. I’ve got it. I am not dying
from cancer. I am living with cancer.
During my lie-down after lunch (this is Greece, after all), it hit me that many of
you out there in blogland have followed my trials and traumas around the
hospitals and consulting rooms of Greece and the UK. So, what have I dished up
over the past week? A short story and book review. Anything (probably sub-
conciously) to avoid talking about the reasons for the warmth and support
flooding in from friends, family and so many unknown readers - especially on
Sunday evenings.
I have prostate cancer which has spread. A special note to all you guys out
there: If you notice the slightest change in the pattern of behaviour in your groin
area, such as a frequent need to pee, particularly during the night, GO SEE
YOUR DOCTOR. Early detection is crucial. Don’t do as I did, put it down to being
a normal side-effect of the march of time (I am 71) and then discover it’s too late
to contain the problem. It CAN be contained if diagnosed early enough.
So, how am I doing? (I am chicken about destructive therapies. Radiation and
chemo are not my scene.)
There are other routes to take, but you need to dig deep and not just nod and
agree with whatever the medical specialists want you to do.
Not all of you have a loving wife or partner who will ransack the libraries of the
planet in search of solutions. I do. Faith has spent harrowing months finding the
answers to every conceivable question and I am now following a combination of
conventional and complementary therapies.
Since returning home to our little island a couple of weeks ago, I have been up
every day at dawn to carry out my Qi Gong (an ancient Chinese art of
movement, breathing, meditation and visualisation known to be effective in
treating cancer) session among the fig, lemon and olive trees in our garden,
daily increasing the length of each session; more than an hour this morning. I
am taking a regular pharmaceutical drug to contain some of the symptoms and
following a course of natural supplements and an almost vegan diet to help
rebuild my shattered immune system. We have bought a juicer and I am
enjoying (no, really!) glasses of juice from various combinations of fruit and
vegetables.
I am feeling good and positive about life and living each day as it comes. Thank
you for your support which is valued beyond measure.

Live and Learn
20 March 2005
"Live as if tomorrow you die and Learn as if you
will live forever"
This motto has been on the wall above my desk
for a few years now.
I have always tried to live by its message, but I never expected that it would
become such an article of faith. The past few months have catapulted me into a
new existence. From a ‘normal’ lifestyle of ekeing out a retirement pension
against the sunshine and retsina backdrop of a Greek island, to a serious, but
also a ‘live for today’ regime.
Up at the crack of dawn to startle the wits out of equally early-rising Katina, the
tiny, black clad widow next door, with the eccentric actions of my Qi Gong
session, which has become a major factor in my life. It clears my mind each day,
promoting positive thoughts and well-being. Then a glass of freshly juiced
vegetables and a controlled diet, i.e. no retsina - or any other alcohol, come to
that, and no meat. All in the worthy cause of ousting these cancer cells that
have found my pelvic area so attractive.
The weird thing is that I am feeling good. Very good. Energised. The naughty
things going on down below hardly ever enter my mind - except, maybe, during
those sudden needs to check out the bathroom yet again.
The unfailing love and support radiating from my wife, and from family and
friends (including all those of you out there in blogland, of course) is the
lynchpin to my comfortable state of mind. I’d be nowhere without this.
We live and learn . . .

Hooray!
28 March 2005
The wind was so strong this morning that I missed out on my Qi Gong for the
first time since returning from UK. It could have blown me over, quite apart from
dispersing any beneficial Qi that I would have been able to generate.
So Faith and I decided to head into town for me to take a PSA test, which
basically is a blood marker of the state of the prostate and cancer in the system.
4 nanograms PSA to the millilitre of blood is deemed to be normal. Anything over
10 is panic stations, so when I tell you that my PSA had risen from 37.2 in
November to 60.4 in January and 82.2 on February 1st . . .
After the strict regime of diet, the supplements, the pills and the daily Qi Gong
sessions I was hopeful for some improvement. ANY reduction in that horrific
February figure would be the spur to carry on.
We’ve just been to get the result. IT'S DOWN TO 2.26! "Normal" said the
mikrobiologist with just the hint of a smile.
So, I say again, Hooray! - and thanks for all your prayers and encouraging
thoughts and words. It’s nowhere near the end of the journey, but at least I am
encouraged to keep following this route.

Prostate cancer - findings (1)
4 April 2005
When I first became aware of my problem, I had a head start over other men in a
similar situation. I am married to Faith. She immediately took control, calmed my
panic and threw herself into research to learn everything there is to know about
the causes and treatment of prostate cancer. Now seems a good time to share
these findings - but with an important proviso
These posts are offered as a very personal expression of our experience and
research in the course of my odyssey. They do not include conventional medical
therapies such as radiation, surgery and drugs. Information on these is only too
readily available from specialists, general practitioners and other sources, many
of which may be heavily influenced by the might of the multi-billion dollar
pharmaceutical industries.
Please use these notes only as the starting point for your own knowledge
empowerment.
Take control. It’s your body!
Faith’s rough guide to the causes of cancer - especially of the prostate
All cancers come about when the immune system goes badly wrong and fails to
kill off unwanted multiplying cells.
This is due to a combination of:
·        Toxins from food, environment, metal fillings in teeth etc.
·        Infections, often long-term low level and including fungus, parasites,
viruses
·        Lack of good balance and sufficiency of vitamins, minerals, oils etc. in the
body
·        Emotional stress, e.g. anxiety, fear, regret, isolation, disappointment,
anger, guilt - all unexpressed/unresolved and leading to a sense of
despair/hopelessness
·        Lack of spiritual expression including creativity
Due to all this, the body becomes acidic, short of oxygen, blockages occur,
organs suffer and bad cells proliferate out of control instead of being
automatically killed off by the body’s natural defence mechanism.
Prostate cancer also specifically involves:
·        Hormones (partly as effect of ageing & partly xenoestrogens from dairy
products, meat, plastics, environment )
·        Emotional stress especially around possible financial, sexual, self-image,
unresolved guilt anxieties
OK. That’s enough to absorb at one go. My next post will outline the treatment
course I am following, together with links for further research and explanation.

Prostate cancer - findings (2)
6 April 2005
These posts offered as a very personal expression of our experience and
research in the course of my odyssey. They do not include conventional medical
therapies such as radiation, surgery and drugs. Information on these is only too
readily available from specialists, general practitioners and other sources, many
of which may be heavily influenced by the might of the multi-billion dollar
pharmaceutical industries.
Please use these notes only as the starting point for your own knowledge
empowerment.
Take control. It’s your body!
Faith’s rough guide to treating cancer - especially of the prostate
To reverse the causative influences, first take away the bad stuff:
·        Avoid food that puts strain on digestion & causes blockages, prevents
body from draining, acidifies
·        Avoid all dairy products, meat, processed food & drink, caffeine, alcohol,
sugar
·        Cleanse toxins from body by fasting and cleansing drinks; treat infections,
remove amalgam fillings
·        Stay away from petrol and exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, household &
other chemicals
·        Remove emotional stress situations
·        Avoid people with fearful/negative views about cancer. Hearing such views
might shake positive outlook and countering them depletes energy needed to
get well. Fear is a great enemy.
Put in good stuff:
·        Food full of nutrients - especially home-made vegetable and fruit juice
because of concentrated phytonutrients. Ideally eat a ‘stone age’ type diet of
fresh and raw vegetables, organic meat in moderation, oily fish, seeds, nuts and
grains, honey
·        Drink 2-3 litres pure water every day
·        Take quality vitamins, minerals, lipids, immune system boosts
·        Supplements to boost unhealthy organs including prostate & to counteract
toxins
·        Chelation to carry away toxins
·        Qi Gong for exercise, oxygen, unblocking, calm and happiness - all leading
to a healthy body
·        Spiritual healing to give the depleted body/spirit a kick start
·        Work to replace fear with emotional calm, positive thinking, self knowledge
and acceptance, understanding, growth
·        Spiritual expression including creativity (start a blog?), showing the lovely
person you really are
·        Meditation, visualisation and relaxation to detox and heal
·        Understanding, friendship and support from friends and family
·        Love, love, love and more love
It is important to note that my personal treatment programme follows the above
guidelines side by side with the prescription drug Casodex. This prevents
androgens from attaching to the cancer cells and so starves them of the
hormones on which they are thought to feed.

Useful links:
Book & cassette: Prostate Health in 90 Days without drugs or surgery by Larry
Clapp
http://www.hayhouse.com/authorbio.php?id=140
Nutrition
http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/June021.htm
Natural Therapies for prostate problems:
http://www.healthfree.com/V4-8d.htm
Qi Gong for UK readers:
http://www.stephanieross.sageweb.co.uk/qigong.htm
Further links can be found in earlier posts on this subject
Books:
Getting Well Again by Simonton, Matthews-Simonton & Creighton
All books by Caroline Myss
All books & cassettes by Dr Bernie Siegel

"He's terminally ill, you know"
12 April 2005
However you say it - cancer, big C, whatever - the routine response is a grave
face and “He’s terminally ill", in a hushed voice. I heard it just the other day from
someone describing a newcomer to the island.
This set me thinking about life in general and ‘terminal’ in particular.
I came to the conclusion that it is not exclusive to someone with a diagnosed
illness. It applies to everyone - and everything; from that ant that I'm watching
marching off with a breadcrumb to the killer whale as it slams a seal into the surf.
And from the fleeting spring poppy to the gnarled ancient redwood. Everyone
and every thing dies, so living is a terminal situation. And there is no guaranteed
timetable for arriving at the terminus.
From the instant that tenacious sperm hits the egg.
Terminal . . .

Prostate cancer - campaign bulletin
2 June 2005
Back again! After a couple of weeks when time seemed to fly by with no time to
blog, here I am in upbeat mood.
It was time for my PSA test. Time to check the body’s state of play in its battle to
counter the attack from prostate cancer cells. Time to check its reaction to the
‘return to health regime' plus daily qi gong embarked upon in February following
the diagnosis.
The PSA norm for a healthy male is a reading of less than 4 and in February the
test showed a frightening figure above 80. Then, a couple of months ago a test
showed an encouraging drop to 2.26. Today’s result was an amazing 0.88!
Faith and I celebrated with a trip to Mr Souvlaki (out of bounds since beginning
my treatment) for chicken gyros and a glass of Retsina. What the hell, we only
live once!

Oh, what a beautiful morning!
1 July 2005
That’s two nights now. Two nights of undisturbed dreams.Two nights of solid
SLEEP.
Every night for eleven months I’ve been dragged out of bed two, three, and
sometimes four times by the need to pee.. All because of those scary changes
in my prostate.
If you never have to get up in the night you have no idea how exhausting it
becomes. (If you do have to make nocturnal bathroom dashes, see your doctor
NOW). So to wake up naturally at day break, fully rested, is a long forgotten
delight. Even worth a posting on the blog!
So it’s fingers (as opposed to legs) crossed, hoping that I am at a turning point
in my return to health programme.

PSA, Albumin and Eleonora's falcons
2 Aug 2005
My latest PSA test shows a marginal increase over the previous 0.88, but still
well within the ‘worry limit’ of 4. I took a test for albumin at the same time.
Apparently this is a significant marker for one’s state of illness and it was just
below norm on an earlier sample. This time it had lifted a bit to show
improvement (and, no, you can’t give it a boost by eating the whites of eggs - if
only it were that simple!)
So, all in all, encouraging. Just the irritating side effects of Casodex - a hormonal
pharmaceutical controlling the PSA - to contend with. Tender breast area and
some loss of muscle mass, which as a normally skinny 6’3” person, I can ill
afford. Overall, though, feeling good and still able to rise and shine at first light
each day for my Qi Gong session.Pondering all of this, I am being entertained
by feeding time aerobatics of the falcons (falco eleonorae), which nest on the
neighbouring islet of Telendos before flying off to winter on islands in the Indian
Ocean. These superbly aerodynamic birds soar and swoop as they pursue
freshly hatched flying ants and other insects floating up on the summer
thermals. They glide onto the prey, slam on the air brakes, snatch with their
talons and reach down for the morsel with their beak. All in one dazzling
manoeuvre.
This is a good place to live. . .

Prostate cancer - campaign bulletin (2)
2 September 2005
Wow! Just checked the date and the weeks have slipped by. Weeks crammed
with family visitors soaking up Kalymnian filoxenia and sunshine. Now it’s time for
a progress report on my ‘War on Tumour’
I’ll shortly be taking blood tests for internal updates, but externally and mentally I
am good. Still on the Casodex, which reigns in the uncomfortable and
inconvenient symptoms of my prostate’s rebellion. I am taking numerous
supplements and eating and drinking healthily - boosting my immune system
and keeping my pH at a satisfactory level.
In addition, qi gong is still an important part of the therapy. 50 minutes of this
traditional Chinese exercise routine every morning among the olive trees at
daybreak.
A new reinforcement in the battle is Essiac. This is a natural remedy used for
centuries by the native Canadian Ojibway tribe to treat cancers and many other
ailments. The formula was passed to Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, who used
it on cancer patients to remarkable effect. I have been taking it twice daily for the
past three weeks as a tea-like infusion and I will report my experiences later.
Thanks to all who are sending positive vibes and thoughts. They are returned
with interest . . .

What is your most valuable possession?
19 October 2005
What is your most valuable possession? Your car? Your house? Your jewelry?
Your investments? Maybe even, for a few, your private jet.
All wrong. It’s your body. Blindingly obvious really, but I guess it would appear in
very few top ten lists. It certainly wasn’t in mine until recent health events pulled
me up short.
This thought train was set in motion by Gary Player on CNN the other evening.
The 70 plus year-old golf champ was describing his fitness regime and he
commented that most people will spend more on caring for their car than caring
for their body. He could have added that many spend much more on destroying
it with tobacco and succumbing to bombardment from the processed and fast -
aka junk - food industries; but we all know that anyway, don’t we?
So, how about re-writing that possessions list with you body in the top spot? You’
ll feel better instantly. After all, it’s the only body you’ll ever have . . .

Open wide (2)
19 November 2005
One of my priorities as part of my ‘return to health’ programme was to get rid of
the mercury amalgam fillings from my teeth. This deadly poison, which I believe
dentists are STILL stuffing into ususpecting patients’ mouths, was also creating
an electric ‘battery’ effect. Well, the job has finally been completed and my jaws
are metal free. Many excuses, like colds, being too busy, and downright
cowardice, have at last run out and today I had the final quarter of my mouth
cleaned out.
As usual, the pain and suffering was much worse in anticipation than in the
event. Nick is a great young Greek dentist who trained in England. Skilled and
sensitive with a state of the art surgery. And, his charges are less than one fifth
of UK prices! In fact, patients are known to travel to Kalymnos for ‘tooth
holidays’, having major dental work carried out including two weeks in the sun.
All for less than the cost of just the dentistry in the UK and other European
countries. We told him he should advertise himself as a tourist attraction . . .

News from England
30 December 2005
Good news first?
OK then.
We have been in England for a while and my bone scan has come up with ‘all
clear’. Five anxious days after lying beneath a camera mapping the journey of a
radioisotope injected into my bloodstream, my kindly urologist gave me the
news. Considering that the MRI scan indicated traces in the bone when prostate
cancer was diagnosed back in February, this result was as much a surprise as it
was a relief. The ultimate Christmas gift.
Faith and I consider this to be vindication and encouragement to continue with
my chosen ‘Return to Health’ path outlined in previous posts. The daily qi gong,
diet and immune boosting supplements, plus the positive thoughts and
encouragement from my family and friends out there, have all proved their worth.
Although turkey and Christmas pudding sidetracked me from the path over the
holiday, there is no complacency. Ankle deep snow has so far made qi gong
impracticable I shall be out in the woods of Kent at daybreak directly the thaw
sets in.
And the bad news? There isn't any . . .

Prostate cancer odyssey - campaign bulletin (3)
17 April 2006
ProsLet's give it a go - My first blog posttate odyssey
A lot’s happened. Back in Kalymnos after a longer than expected but rewarding
stay in the UK.
Before we left for England in December my PSA was doubling at each monthly
test. A scary trend in response to the Casodex losing its effectiveness.
Consultations with specialists resulted in a bone scan (clear - phew!) and
lengthy discussions on my future treatment.
As a result of Faith’s research over the past year, we had rejected the
conventional path of radiation, chemotherapy etc. and settled on a herbal
protocol being pioneered by a leading oncologist at a Swiss clinic. This had
been showing very positive results in men at advanced stages of prostate
cancer, some with PSA levels up to 2000.
The major snag was that the product was outside my budget and not available
on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)
Prior to our appointments we had bombarded the consultants with information
about the protocol and managed to convince a leading oncology professor to
set up a study of 10 men. All we had to do was persuade the suppliers to
provide the product free for the duration of the trial...
Well, here I am, the number one man on the study and my PSA is falling.
Currently it’s down to 7 after having reached 40 before coming off Casodex and
commencing the new treatment. My urine flow is free and my sleep is much less
disturbed.
More men are being given the opportunity to take part in the study and I’m
feeling good and looking forward . . .

May Day
1 May 2006
May day flowers Dawn is breaking earlier and I was outside for my Qi Gong
session at 05.50 and followed this up with a digging session to clear the ground
for my tomato plants. seedlingsThese have come on nicely from seed and will be
hardened off ready for planting in a day or two. My zucchini will also go into their
plots. We had a glut last year and if anyone has recipes or new ideas for this
year's crop?
Weather's fine (showers forecast, though) with fishing boats mirrored in an
'oiled' sea. Faith has been gathering flowers for the May Day bouquet on the
door and around the house. She's now busy marinading a chicken ready to
roast for tonight's dinner with Mike and Valerie. It was going to be cold chicken in
a picnic, but the threat of rain put paid to that.
I am between blood tests but carrying on with the new treatment protocol and
feeling good. Positive that the downward PSA trend will continue. Watch this
space . . .

Prostate update
15 May 2006
After another month on my special treatment protocol the result of my PSA test
shows it stable around the April figure of 7. The general blood test is indicating
no abnormalities and I’m feeling good with my early morning qi gong setting me
up for each day.
I understand that more men are being enrolled in this protocol and should soon
reach the required number for a valid assessment of the outcome. It's very
rewarding to know that the effort Faith and I put into persuading the onclogy
professor in England to initiate the study is possibly paving the way a new
direction in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Keep those positive thoughts alive . . .

PSA looking good
16 June 2006
Yesterday's PSA test result was very encouraging. It is following the predicted
pattern for the protocol study that I am undertaking, having remained stable
within a decimal point or two for the past three months. Smiles all round today . . .

Prostate still being contained
21st July 2006
Monthly general bood test time has come around again, showing little significant
change over last month. PSA has moved up slightly, but is still below 10. Nothing
to panic about and Dr Pfeifer has suggested an adjustment to the protocol
dosages to counter this trend
Our new website, prostatecancernow , has been up and running for a couple of
weeks with very encouraging feedback. Check it out if you or someone you know
has concerns with the prostate. Everything you wanted to know but were afraid
to ask . . .

Blood tests - Greek style
3rd August 2006
Kalymnos is awash with all shades of medical advice. Signs for walk-in dentists,
radiologists, dermatologists, GPs and gynaologists pepper the high street and
many side streets. You may have read of my experience with the local urologist.
Now I’ll tell you about blood tests - Greek style.
An essential part of my treatment study is a monthly report to Prof Oliver back in
St Barts, London. This includes general blood tests plus any movement in PSA
and testosterone.
The NHS in UK has a reciprocal arrangement with Greece’s IKA. My IKA doctor
holds a busy surgery every weekday morning. It mainly deals with repeat
prescriptions for the locals and I try to be there by 8.30 to be near the front of
the queue when Dr Peter arrives about 9am. Luckily for me he is
American/Kalymnian so speaks English. He is quite thrilled to be involved in my
treatment study with an important consultant in London.
He writes me two scripts to take to two separate mikrobiologists - one for the
routine tests and another for the PSA/testosterone.
Seems straightforward? No problem? Umm, we now have to factor in Greek
bureaucracy.
IKA prescriptions for specialist involvement require scrutiny, counter-signing and
rubber-stamping by a senior medico. Ours is a gynaecologist so I share his
waiting room with Kalymnian ladies at varying stages of ripeness.
It's my turn and I enter the inner sanctum where a wall is dominated by a huge
portrait of the man himself. I immediately think of Dorian Gray - in reverse. It
depicts him about 25 years younger but with the exact same comb-over (black
instead of grey), steel-rimmed spectacles and humourless gaze. Weird, or what?
He compares me carefully with the photo in my IKA book and begins flourishing
signatures. His hand freezes over the handle of the crucial rubber stamp. Oops -
a problem!
Apparently, PSA tests are expensive and rationed to be performed on the first of
each month; my requirements are for tests to be taken mid-month. To get
around this Dr Peter writes ‘emergency’ - in Greek of course - on the
prescription. I then pay for the test and claim a refund from IKA. But this time Dr
Peter has forgotten the essential endorsement.
Stalemate. A fleeting gleam behind the specs hints at some rivalry with my
friendly GP.
“PSA first of month only”.
I stand my ground, implying that upsetting an important consultant at a leading
London hospital could puncture his reputation. He crumples and approves the
ticket so long as I get it endorsed before claiming my refund.
The most important, redeeming point to all this is that the results of any of these
tests are MY property, with none of that frustrating waiting until my doctor
receives them days later and then maybe deigns to make broad, filtered
statements without allowing sight of the actual results. I collect the printouts from
the lab, show them to the GP for comment and take them home.

UK Visit
25th August 2006
We have been in UK just over a week and it's update time. My part in the 6
month study at St Barts London hospital of the phytotherapy protocol of herbal
treatment for prostate cancer has come to an end with encouraging results. My
PSA has settled back to a reasonably low level while my urine flow continues to
be full with none of those 'must go' episodes. Other indicators such as white
blood cell levels and haemoglobin are strong. I am continuing with the treatment
and feeling positive about the future.
Our website at www.prostatecancernow.org is gathering momentum and Faith is
filling her diary with meetings to persuade other consultants and hospitals to
initiate similar tests to the one that I have been involved in. A national
newspaper is also on the scene but we are holding fire on another interview until
we have something even more exciting to announce than a re-run of the earlier
Daily Telegraph article.

Prostate Catch-up
13th April 2007
It’s more than five months already. Five months spent settling back into life in
England after 11 years under the blue skies of Kalymnos, that Dodecanese isle
splashed by the equally blue seas of the Aegean. Surprisingly, the weather has
not been a major problem. A kind winter, softened even more by good central
heating and a log burning stove, and a beautiful springtime capped by a
dazzling Easter weekend has eased the transition.The village is peaceful and
friendly with ‘good morning’ greetings exchanged freely on the street and in the
local store/post office.If it wasn’t for the cost of living, with exorbitant council
taxes and utility charges, I could borrow a phrase from Pop Larkin in The Darling
Buds of May and say ‘Just perfik.’
The prostate, however, has not been playing ball. My trip to Lisbon did not bear
fruit and with a PSA having risen to 178 and needing firefighting a strategic -
and hopefully short-term - course of hormone therapy was started four weeks
ago with Casodex and then a Zoladex one month implant. This should get the
numbers down to a manageable level and give breathing space while various
new alternative treatments come into play. In the meantime a CT and then a
bone scan have given a closer look at what is really happening inside.

I’ve just seen the oncologist and she reported that the PSA had ‘plateaued’ in
the short time since re-commencing the hormone therapy. Also that the CT scan
had indicated  several sclerotic areas in both iliac wings and probably two
lumbar vertebrae suggestive of bony metastases.

The bone scan has been reviewed and it was concluded that there is a very
small tumour in the lower spine and small metastases in the iliac wings - too
small for hot spot radiotherapy ‘zapping.’ A course of bisphosphonates taken
intravenously was proposed to strengthen the bone and I am researching this to
decide shortly whether to take this route. A Strontium mineral supplement is also
being considered as an alternative.

Physically, I have been suffering back pain on and off since January, when a
long established wedge fracture was revealed by x-ray. Since this pain is NOT in
the areas of suspicion indicated by the scans, it does seem that it is emanating
from this fracture and associated spinal ‘wear and tear’ and I have been
swallowing analgesics to cope with it.

The doctor at the local pain clinic suggested giving acupuncture a try and taking
the painkillers as a suppository and/or a transdermal patch to lessen the risk of
gastric damage from prolonged pill taking.

I have my first appointment with the acupuncturist this afternoon.

To finish, I must thank Yes to Life, Cancer Options and the Really Healthy Co for
the invaluable help and support that I have received through this period of
difficult decision making.
"I had
cancer. But I
was not
suffering
from cancer.
I was not
dying from
cancer. I was
living with
cancer and
intended to
carry on that
way"
Al Smith
'My Life -
Already?'
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