← Return to Emotions and anxiety with a cancer diagnosis: How do you cope?

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@wooldridgec

So, I feel comfortable with the treatment I received once diagnosed with De novo stage 4 Prostate cancer. The cancer is in my bone only. My initial PSA was between 25 and 32. I had done twice in the hospital. I had pain and could not sleep on my back for 2.5 months. Initially, the doctors thought it was due to my Gall Bladder. I had it emergency surgery to have it removed. Even in surgery and hospitalization the doctors did not see the metastases in my spin and ribs. After the surgery I thought the back pain would resolve. It did not and I had a painful MRI. That is when the bone metastases showed up. I went back to the ER and another CT scan with contrast confirmed more metastases on my ribs. A bone scan and bone biopsy confirmed Adenocarcinoma do novo stage 4 Prostate Cancer. I am in good health and I am a fighter. So, I asked for as much treatment the doctors could throw at me. First 10 radiation treatments to my spin. The radiologist forgot to do my ribs, so I had to return for 5 additional radiation treatments to the ribs. A few weeks after radiation, the pain in my back and ribs started to disappear. I have been pain free ever since. Only 30% of patients ever achieve total remission of pain from bone metastases. I think the doctors mistake of missing the ribs initially was a blessing. Radiation is targeted but it also radiates and spreads out from the target. This caused overlapping radiation treatment which shrunk the metastases tumors more than expected. Then a month of Casodex and then I immediately started Eligard (3 month injections). The ARSENS trial changed the standard of treatment so I was immediatly started on Nubeqa (Darolutamide). A few later I started chemotherapy (Docetaxel). Radiation was hard, but for some reason (Jesus) I sailed through Chemo with few side effects. No Neuropathy, no elevated enzymes - mostly fatigue. So, I ask my oncologist why only 6 rounds of Chemo. I found out that is a randomly selected number based reducing side effects. So, I ask how many I could have and it turns out 10 is allowed so I set out to do 10 and I completed all 10. Turns out that there are studies that show more chemo may increase over all survival. I was determined to kill as many cancer cells as possible. But these are my choices and it was how my body responded to treatment. Thankfully, I responded very well and I am going on two years after treatment. My PSA remains undetectable and my Alkaline Phosphates stays around 38-40. I'm getting another bone scan this month. Praying it shows more improvement. Stay strong and fight everyone.

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Replies to "So, I feel comfortable with the treatment I received once diagnosed with De novo stage 4..."

Lifting you up right now !
Praying for your peace and strength!’
We love you !!!

What a journey you have had! I admire your determination and resilience!
You are a fighter!
Prayers for your next test!