I was diagnosed after my annual check-up in February, 2025. As I recall, my primary physician said “If you want to have a PSA test, Medicare will cover it, but that’s up to you.” I was 67 years old at the time and, because no medical professional stressed the importance of having an annual PSA, I never had one. Turns out, my PSA was 67 (my age at the time) and my Gleason score was 4 + 5=9 but I was asymptomatic.
PET scan showed metastasis to the lymph nodes and bowel but no bone Mets.
A urology nurse advised my wife to start shopping for funeral homes - she even had a list of ones she recommended - and she said I should apply for a spot in hospice care. I was a little rattled by this, of course.
Up to that point, I had been an athlete and I figured that, if I survive this, my days of competing were over but that would be a small concession if treatment could prolong my life.
I went through some dark times when it took an extraordinary effort to workout but a physician friend assured me that things would get better and I should continue to train even when I didn’t feel like it.
Fifteen months later, while still taking oral anti-androgens and receiving Lupron infusions every three months, I was back on the cycling circuit and doing well so life continues unabated post diagnosis.