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Don. Pretty interesting. Don't know when this early entry was made and maybe things have changed since, but I found it interesting. I had the IMRT treatment after surgery, and it is good to hear what his assessment of it was. I wonder if he still feels the same about Proton treatment, or if data now supports the hype, it has been given.
I also found interest in his statement about how a patient's attitude can change the acceptance of treatment outcome. I have tried hard to be really careful to not criticize caregivers for the outcomes we experience and in fact have wondered what impact it might have on them as they treat us. They know what the results of the treatment will do to us. I would hope they all manage to fortify themselves against any feeling of "remorse" (for lack of a better word) for what their treatments will take away from us. We all mourn what we have lost to this disease and have to remember it was the fault of the disease, NOT the treatment. We have to remind ourselves that it is better to be alive and mourning our losses than to be DEAD from an untreated disease. I know of one case where the person refused treatment in favor of quality of life. He got a couple years of quality life alright and then a couple years of misery for him and his family before he died from the disease. I think of that often now as I have reached and surpassed the eight-year guestimate my Urologist gave me if I left it untreated. I much prefer my situation now to being DEAD! Jon.
Jon:
Your thoughtful response is much appreciated. All of us react differently to our PCa and caregivers.
I suspect Dr. Tuflov's opinion is much the same now as it was then. You know doubt noticed he did not address relative effectiveness of these two treatments.
Thank you so much for your perspective, caring and sharing.
Don
