Doctor Paul, MD

A small-town doctor working to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care.

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Anti-Androgen medications

August 25, 2019 by Paul Williams 10 Comments

Father thank you for your continued watch and care over us, for your little miracles and sustaining presence. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Theresa has been on Casodex now for two weeks and on Xtandi now for over a week. Both are anti-androgen medications. Casodex has been around for a while and is generic, while Xtandi is fairly new. Both are used for metastatic prostate cancer. And triple negative breast cancer in about 12% of the cases are sensitive to blocking the androgen receptors. As Theresa doesn’t have any further options, this is a reasonable option. We have no idea if she has androgen receptors, but 2-3 weeks into taking the medication she should show some benefit if it is to work.

Actually it seems to be having an effect. Theresa isn’t coughing as much as she did. She still has coughing fits, but they are less often and despite increasing with laying down, even that has improved. Her chest discomfort and fatigue are about the same. This is encouraging to say the least. Though we know it is probably of temporary benefit.

I think how one fights cancer is an individual decision based on many factors. I think we can all understand the motivation is different when kids are in the home, when there is much yet to be part of, than someone in their 8th decade, having gone through the milestones of life, and is experiencing loss. For the children of God, we understand Paul’s statement that to die is gain, yet to live valuable for those around us. We are to hold tight to God but loosely to this world. How this plays out in each of our lives is different and individual. Cost of medicines, hospitals, and tests also have a part in the decision process. We place all of this at the feet of Him who loves us asking for His wisdom, His heart, and his guidance. We are submitted to Him and desire to do His will. This brings peace and comfort in the storm.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. C. Alene Palmer says

    August 25, 2019 at 4:01 pm

    Praying the medicine continues to help Theresa.

    Reply
  2. C. Alene Palmer says

    August 25, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    Praying the medicine continues to help Theresa.
    You, Theresa,your children and extended family know God and know he only
    wants the best for all of you. God is an awesome God and loves all of His family.

    Reply
  3. Toni Belveal says

    August 25, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    Continue lifting you up in prayer. Praying for peace and comfort as you continue this very difficult journey.

    Reply
  4. LaVerne Haslett says

    August 27, 2019 at 2:39 am

    We are continuing to ask God for a complete healing for Theresa….for HIS glory, that HIS glory might be shown in all the earth to draw all men unto him….

    Reply
  5. Christina Frias says

    August 28, 2019 at 1:02 am

    Continued prayers for my other fellow Disney girl❤️ Hoping you all enjoy a wonderful vacation with minimal Pain, fatigue, and complications. Always lifting him up ….. thank you for sharing your journey and faith ❤️ Hugs Christina

    Reply
  6. Julie Gamewell says

    August 28, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    I am so glad that Theresa feels somewhat better. Praise God! Psalm 16 (the whole chapter) is one of my favorites. Vs. 11. “You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

    “His steadfast love never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. Great is His faithfulness.”

    Reply
  7. Candace Horch says

    August 28, 2019 at 10:04 pm

    We do not stop praying… and can see God working through all of your pain… Paul’s words in his letters to the churches bring comfort and peace as he felt God’s presence in the storm, as well. Thank you for giving us specifics to lay at His feet. May you continue to feel his presence each day.

    Reply
  8. Doris and Bill says

    August 30, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Our loving thoughts and sincere wishes that less pain and coughing means more good days for Theresa and her loving family! May smiles light your faces.

    Reply
  9. Kathleen Spencer says

    August 31, 2019 at 12:18 am

    Thank you for your faithfulness to God, to Theresa, and to continue updating those of us who care so deeply and are praying so fervently for you all. I am thankful for each day and glimmer of hope that God brings your way. As I continue to pray for strength and healing in this battle, I am praying for strength for the Disneyland trip and that it will bring some much needed fun and respite from the battle you’ve been fighting, and that it will be a treasured memory for years to come.

    Reply
  10. LaVerne Haslett says

    September 7, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    Continuing in prayer and expectation of healing for Theresa….for the glory of God, that all men might be drawn to know of HIS great love. John 17:22, 23

    Reply

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About Doctor Paul

Dr. Paul Williams, MD is a small-town family practice doctor working in Centralia, Washington. He works from the same office where his primary care practice was established by his father over 38 years ago. He believes strongly that the art of the old-fashioned primary care doctor is an important feature of our medical system that should be preserved and protected from excess interference from insurance companies and government regulation alike.

Due to changes in the health care industry and regulations affecting it, and in an effort to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care, Dr. Paul has shifted his practice to a Direct Care model, meaning that patients pay an affordable monthly fee to purchase primary care health care services directly, rather than having their services billed through an insurance company.

This blog is intended to help Dr. Paul's patients (and anyone else!) understand the changes the medical industry is going through, and to provide information about the Direct Care model of primary care.

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