CALL IT A DAY?
Hi All. I am 74 and at 73 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
How they found it? I ran the Bismarck Marathon at age 72 and my right hip was a bit of a pain. Dealing with it all summer and going to a chiropractor or should I say chiropractors, Physical therapist and finally my regular family doctor. I have been putting off my Medicare Annual Wellness physical for a few years so my the good doctor decided to run a few tests. The doctor found a PSA level of 4 and sent me to a urologist and an oncologist because I was also anemic and had iron overload. How ever that works? The urologist did the fun digital exam thing and said he did not think it was cancer. He did not find any lumps. Said my prostate was a little large and that prostate cancer is normally slow growing. And my swinging up and down PSA levels indicated something else was causing the now high PSA of 8.5 The urologist than did a new type of urn testing and that indicated cancer. So then he did the more than fun 15 biopsies of my prostate. They all showed different levels of cancer. After a PET Scan I was then sent to the Bismarck Cancer Center and did 35 proton radiation procedures. Also had the Hydrogell placement between the prostate and rectum. That was as much fun as getting prostate biopsies taken. Also had hormone shots. Two in the abdomen below the belly button. Took two nurses to inject Degarelix(FIRMAGON) for 30 seconds on each side. That was actually pretty painless. Not so a month later with another different hormone injection(leuprolide acetate(LUPRON DEPOT) in the upper arm. I am scheduled to take more. I am thinking of cancelling due to the many side effects. That brings up my question! Not only are the side effects beginning to become annoying (gotta love those hot flashes), I need and was scheduled for a hip replacement but decided to do the cancer treatments first. Here is the big but. The hormone injections causes Osteoporosis bone loss which is probably not good if you need the bone to heal around the hip replacement? Another side effect is very high blood pressure (172/120, 171/123) Also now on two new high blood pressure medications. Two hip pain medications, I have Anemia, Fatigue, Mood swings,(now on antidepressant), hot flashes, weight gain, decrease mental sharpness, shrinkage of testicles and penis (gotta dig for Mr Wiggle to pee), Sexual desire (WHATS THAT?) OHTER RISKS INCLUDE: DIABETES, STROKES, HEART ATTACKS AND DEATH FOR MEN TREATED WITH HORMONE THERAPY. The question is do I get another six month artificial protein hormone injection or just call it a day? Other than that, everything is peachy keen and hunky dory my way. I am very grateful for all the many people I have seen. Also grateful that I am still on this side of the dirt. The pain is temporary, death is not. Have a good day All.