Help Jeff Beat Cancer

12/1/22 Update From Deena:Yesterday was the 4th of Jeff’s 6 chemo treatments. Last week’s scan didn’t show much change in lymph node size but did reveal a blood clot. He’s now on a blood thinner.

Jeff remains determined and carries on with work and daily life. He still enjoys entertaining others and plays with the band a couple times a month… it rejuvenates him and helps him feel connected.

He’s so grateful for everyone’s well wishes, support, and prayers! He believes in the power of collective energy and that adds to his determination. Thank you everyone!

My name is Jeff Bittle. I never thought I’d find myself in the situation I was in May of 2020, when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I could tell something was going on 2-3 months before that. I went through ten weeks of radiation, five days a week. After about the first month, the radiation staff started telling me they’ve never seen cancer disappear so quickly. They said to just keep doing what I was doing. As time progressed and more scans later, they told me how amazed they were that the prostrate was shrinking so quickly. They had to re-evaluate my treatments weekly because it was going away so quickly. Ten weeks later my cancer was in remission. In 2021the levels they monitor, PSA, in my blood tests started rising; the cancer was coming back, so the Dr put me on pills in addition to the shots I receive every six months; my PSA levels started coming down so it was decided to continue monitoring. By December I noticed that lymph nodes in my groin and abdomen would swell, causing pain, and then shrink again. I mentioned this to all of my Dr.s and it was dismissed with, “That’s strange,” Or “I don’t know what that means.” Because my PSA levels remained relatively the same, nothing in my treatment changed. In February of 2022 I had a stroke which eventually landed me at the Providence ICU in Anchorage where several Dr.s, not in my insurance plan, took care of me. The bills continued to rise. In May and July my PSA levels were re-checked. I complained to my urologist and my oncologist about my lymph nodes. By August I noticed swelling in my right ankle and couldn’t figure out the cause. I woke up one morning to complete swelling from the hips down which took my back to ER. After a day of blood tests and scans, it was determined that my kidneys were in failure due to the ureters being closed off from my swollen lymph nodes. I discussed my lymph nodes with the on-call urologist; at last “someone” decided to biopsy them. I went into surgery the next morning for emergency installation of ureter stints and for the biopsy. A week later my regular urologist called to tell me my cancer was very aggressive and had spread to my lymph nodes. More scans and testing later, revealed that I’m stage 4 but the cancer is only in my prostate and lymph nodes. The swelling was so bad and uncomfortable that I had to take two weeks off from work in October. I’m currently going through 6 sessions of intense chemotherapy, every three weeks. The pain and swelling still exist, becoming a part of my daily life. I’m hoping to get to the point that I’ll be enjoying quality time and making the most of each day.

We appreciate all your prayers and support.