1. < Prostate Cancer

Sharing appreciation / gratitude

Posted by deku @deku, 6 days ago

Hi, all - I wanted to express my appreciation for all of your thoughtful input, advice, and encouragement. I am grateful for this forum and have found it to be a valuable resource. One of the most helpful things I have gotten so far is that it is okay to give myself permission and space to rage and despair and not suppress or deny myself that initial grieving for what I expect to lose - I cannot properly make room for what good things are yet to come until I allow myself to mourn for what good things are going to be lost. I am still slowly working my way through that process.

My diagnosis continues to evolve; as I wait not-so-patiently for more testing to discover the extent of my metastases and narrowing down my prognosis and potential treatment options, I have decided for now to focus my energies on therapy to help me cope with this and other issues in a healthier way, while also sharing with / seeking support from family and friends. Living in a world of "we don't know for sure yet" is getting tiresome and tedious, even though it has really been remarkably fast (barely over a month) from my first DRE / PSA test to what we now know definitively is metastatic prostate cancer. I know that is vague, and I have shared more details in other posts, but that's as much as I am comfortable sharing on the subject at this point.

I am cautiously optimistic that I can return at some point later with a more hopeful update, or if not, at least with something inspirational and/or helpful to share. In the meantime, I have work to do on myself and more to learn about the specifics of my condition before I can feel more receptive to and worthy of the encouragement and positivity offered here, and before I can eventually be able to offer that kind of support to others in return.

Thanks and best wishes to you all!

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

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | 6 days ago

I'm glad to hear that you're on a good path, even though it's understandably difficult and you're still in shock. I also want to reassure you that some of us here are already living the news you're most afraid of hearing, and we're actually enjoying our lives.

I don't wish this for you — it comes with many challenges — but even if your "worst case" right now does happen, it's the beginning of a new life, not the end.

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chipe | @chipe | 6 days ago

Hang in there! Remain positive and remember we are thinking of you. And anytime you need to, rant away.

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stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | 5 days ago

You are definitely worthy of encouragement on here. I have stage 4, metastasized to the bones and a couple lymph nodes, it's been 20 months. I keep my mouth closed at work but I sure do my share of whining to my wife. And yes, I whine on here as well. There are so many wonderful people on here who are going through the same journey. Don't be too hard on yourself as to how you are dealing with this. We all say to keep up the fight, doesn't mean it's an easy battle. We all just try to do the best we can. I wish you the best on your journey.

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | 4 days ago

Deku , yes yoru news only came a month ago . Start a binder to keep all images , notes from Dr's visits and so on . I know its very tough right now , But once your on a path it gets a lot better . So many different things they can do now to dodge this PC . Your part is to be organized , get knowledge about PC ( do you have support groups ? - they helped me with news and information and support ) , also be proactive . You have this! It does take time to deal with the mental side of the PC though . Its a shock to you now ....but in time you will find your path. Every 3-4 years they seem to come out with a new therapy these days ... tons now ! Hang in there and let us know what the Dr's say ! James on Vancouver Island .

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topsz | @topsz | 4 days ago
In reply to @stevecando54 "You are definitely worthy of encouragement on here. I have stage 4, metastasized to the bones..." + (show)
@stevecando54

You are definitely worthy of encouragement on here. I have stage 4, metastasized to the bones and a couple lymph nodes, it's been 20 months. I keep my mouth closed at work but I sure do my share of whining to my wife. And yes, I whine on here as well. There are so many wonderful people on here who are going through the same journey. Don't be too hard on yourself as to how you are dealing with this. We all say to keep up the fight, doesn't mean it's an easy battle. We all just try to do the best we can. I wish you the best on your journey.

Jump to this post

What is your treatment plan?

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stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | 3 days ago
In reply to @topsz "What is your treatment plan?" + (show)
@topsz

What is your treatment plan?

Jump to this post

I started with 10 rounds of chemo, I get Firmagon shot monthly, Xgeva shot quarterly. Daily I take Zytiga and prednisone. I see my doctor monthly for blood work. I been getting scans every 6 months. Dr said they can't cure it but can control it. And my meds are my forever meds, until they stop working. And we just keep moving forward. Best to all.

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proftom2 | @proftom2 | 2 days ago

Deku. Hope is my favorite thing. It brings out the best in all of us while giving hope to others. I hope you know I am enjoying "Sharing/Appreciation and Gratitude" post. Thank you. I find this quote helpful in my advanced prostate cancer journey. “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” By Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. It makes for a great advanced prostate cancer companion along my survivorship journey.

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