1. < Prostate Cancer

11 anniversaries since diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer

Posted by mccsjm @mccsjm, May 25 12:47am

Diagnosed at 63, I did not have the confidence at that time to believe I would live another 10 years. Yet, I just completed another follow-up visit in the past two weeks. My semiannual routine includes a blood draw for PSA and metabolic panel, followed by a visit to my oncologist's office. Given the many years of hormone therapy, they added a DEXA scan to check my bones.

Overall, they are happy with the results. PSA remains undetectable (might not be the most sensitive assay. My lipid levels remain elevated, so lipid-lowering medication may be inevitable in the near future, but it's not the end of the world. I hope my experience can encourage my fellow warriors. Living with prostate cancer is entirely achievable.

I also learned that the website for clinical trial matching that my oncologist pointed me to previously (inforeach.org) has added search for treatments recommended by clinical guidelines. It's quite intriguing as you can check if your treatment is consistent with the standard of care. Sharing this information for anyone who may want to check it out.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

lag | @lag | Sep 1 2:34pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "You should ask your doctor about Pluvicto, while they do require chemotherapy before doing it, you..." + (show)
@jeffmarc

You should ask your doctor about Pluvicto, while they do require chemotherapy before doing it, you can have that Christmas tree reduced dramatically if it works for you. Some people have been able to get it without chemotherapy.

I have seen before and after PSMA pet scans that showed a dramatic difference after Pluvicto, but it doesn’t work for everyone.

Since the drugs, you are on show that you are undetectable (less than .1) you can wait until your PSA starts to rise.

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I think the requirement to have chemo before Pluvicto has been removed. Several men have posted on Connect that they were not required to have chemo before starting Pluvicto.

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kevinsabin | @kevinsabin | Sep 2 6:05pm
In reply to @tuckerp "I somewhat rushed to surgery on mine because a friend of mine was taking Test. suppression..." + (show)
@tuckerp

I somewhat rushed to surgery on mine because a friend of mine was taking Test. suppression drug for high PSA. Lupron I think. Prostate cancer and its ED side effect is bad enough but then take any male hormone out as well. They even talk about castration. Made me wonder what would be left if your a healthy 68 yr old with no issues. I tried to separate my male ego out of the equation but I am male. I had one out of 12 samples nothing in the margins and 1.2 PSA. One overriding factor for me was maybe I could get it all with no other treatments. I also did a lot of research on whether Test reduction really helped. I had LARP surgery and ended up with ED. But my Test is healthy. I still enjoy the thought of a sexual encounter. My energy is good. Just wondering since the comment came up.

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Hopefully there is something that works for you that can be done to eliminate the ED. Glad to hear the rest of your health is good!

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kevinsabin | @kevinsabin | Sep 2 6:11pm
In reply to @glt "Hey Steve. I also have 4 B that has spread to Pelvic region, Femurs, Lymph nodes,..." + (show)
@glt

Hey Steve. I also have 4 B that has spread to Pelvic region, Femurs, Lymph nodes, back etc. I have been looking for alternative treatments to docetaxel, but there does not seem to be alternative treatment. I made appt to go to MD Anderson in Houston but thinking there is no silver bullet.

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Best of luck on your journey to MD Anderson and much success!

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