Sundry

Couple of Things

The FDA panel on new drugs recommended approval for wide use of a Prostate Cancer Vaccine (Provenge). The drug is given to those with advanced androgen independent prostate cancer (AIPC) and works by stimulating the immune system. There are virtually no side effects and I can see the day that this is given all men with prostate cancer. The FDA is expected to give final approval in May; if they don't there will a lot of pissed men heading to D.C.

Tonight the topic at my class at Fresno state was my friend Steve Hirasuna. Steve has been running an inner city Drug Rehab program for 10 years and has been doing Addiction Treatment for > 25 years. He is the best1

Here is a picture of Steve and I.

News Article

Bill McEwen, a columnist for the Fresno Bee, published a column 2 days ago. Bill is my favorite columnist at the Bee and can remember when he was a reporter for Fresno State Athletics. I am heavily referenced in the article and you can be the judge as to whether I come off as a snitch or just trying to do the right thing.

Anyway, the story (Click here to read) concerns a lawsuit that the former Fresno State Woman's basketball coach has filed alleging her firing was in part due to gender discrimination, and her attorney is trying to show that the attitude of the Athletic Administrators toward men with drug problems were different than the attitude toward women. Terry Pettis, former men's basketball star is the case in point.

Just before Terry Pettis was sentenced for the shooting of a young woman in a drug deal gone bad, he 'told all' to the Fresno Bee and alleged that his coach and administrators let him down by allowing him to play drug dirty rather than cleaning him up. Pettis was not alone in having problems complying with rules and regulations. Click for an interesting article published when Terry was suspended for good from the team.

Following the publication of the story and following Pettis' sentencing to life without parole, I wrote him a letter, having been asked not to by Fresno State Athletics until the matter was settled (I am OK with this).

In the letter I ask him to forgive his superiors so he could move on. Personally, I think that his coach and AD and President did what they felt best and only in hind site did it appear to be the wrong approach. In other words, I do not have any criticism of the Administrators since there is a much bigger picture to University Athletics and some decisions may not be in the best interest of an individual athlete but in the best interest of the University and community. This is a never ending dilemma: who should supervise the behavior of athletes - coaches?, administrators?.

For me there is little conflict since the Hippocratic Oath says: (I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone).

New Plans

I just returned from a visit with my Prostate Cancer Specialist, Dr Eric J. Small at UCSF Cancer Medical Center. Carole went with me and surprisingly, some old friends from Fresno had an appointment at the same time for the same issues with another clinic doctor.

The basic problem is that turning on and off my testosterone and adrenal hormones did not seems to change my blood tests, so we made a decision to try a new tact.

I am going off all oral anti-cancer medications, let things wash out, follow my PSA for about 6 weeks and then do some scans to see what is going on. If not much change, then I will enter the vaccine trial; if there is something aggressive then we will attack with WMD - some new chemotherapy. One of the biggest problems to deal with when you have these issues is not to have a plan but now we do.

Perhaps best off, I will not be getting anything toxic on our Tahiti-South Pacific cruise in May.

Stay tuned.

St Partrick's Day

Lots going on.

First of all, I went thru a deposition a while ago. Seems that the former woman's basketball coach is suing he University for wrongful termination. I have no dog in this fight but I got dragged into it because I was in the middle of a drug crises with the men's basketball team a few years ago. I was deposed as well as Terry Pettis - a former player - who is doing a life sentence for murder. Fresno State elected to post the depositions on the internet. If you want to see the inside of drugs and Fresno State, check out this link. Click Here

Last Weekend

Beth, Bill, Marlee, Grace, Emily and Steve came to Fresno.


It was interesting have the kids stray at our house.

We had a great weekend and played in the Fresno State Golf Tournament - we did not win but got some prizes anyway.



I went to LA Tuesday and spent the afternoon and evening with Beth, Bill and family and my Philadelphia connection: Rob Godsall - my cousin from Atlanta - and his nephews - Rob Myallis and Jonathon Godsall. It was delightful to see them them again!. Hopefully I can get to Tim Godall-Myers wedding in Philadelphia in August.

Finally, we are taking a South Pacific cruise out of Tahiti for 10 days in May - balcony and all the trimmings.

Stay tuned.

I go to UCSF Medical Center Tuesday for another consultation as to what are my options in the treatment of my prostate cancer. Should be an interesting adventure. We are staying at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel - more to follow.

Plea Bargain

I went to criminal court yesterday for the impersonating a disabled person arrest (a misdemeanor). Looked like TV with guys and gals in handcuffs and chains, lawyers prancing about, the judge driving things forward. I took advantage of the Public Defender who pleaded me to an infraction. I pleaed no contest, payed a fine and can move on with my life without the tag of misdemeanor on my resume.



Anyway, if you are going to use someone elses disabled placard, be aware of the hassle if you get noticed.

Big weekend coming up - will post next week.

Bill

Yuk

I have been on a treatment strategy that wipes out any trace of testosterone as prostate cancer is usually sensitive to testosterone. However, the last two months my PSA has continued to rise. Ironically, I feel OK (except for not having any macho hormone and the meds I have to take) and enjoy every day.

So, next step is to go to UCSF to see the experts (again) and probably get into treatment with new drugs not available to the public (yet).

Needless to say, its a bit scary and unsettling but I suppose it is a bit of an adventure and an inevitable part of the 'long strange trip'.

On the other hand, I am really having a wonderful time teaching a class at Fresno State - the students are wonderful (i.e. full of wonder) and have a passion for learning.

No pictures today, but there should be plenty next post as we are having a housefull next weekend.

Peace

Bill