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Metastic prostate Cancer Survivors - longevity and quality of life
I was just diagnosed at the beginning of January and of course the news hit me hard. I have found a lot of hope in the discussions within this group. I am curious to know how long ago people in this group were diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and what your quality of life is like. Right now I have no symptoms from the cancer itself other than weight loss (which I am actively monitoring and dealing with via extra eating) and I have no side effects from the medications the doctors are prescribing. I know that I am at the beginning of this journey and I hope that my current status stays the way it is for many years. We all need to have hope, and I am learning a lot about traditional and new Treatment options.
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Thank you for your reply. Seems hard to understand how a Veteran and a likely disabled person would not be entitled to some type of Medical Insurance. Sounds as though you are still working which is positive. No one knows how this illness will progress. All data seems to be statistics or best guess. Stay as strong and healthy as possible. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsYou may or may not be aware of ancan.org. They have live discussions and cover a various array of suggestions at every grade and level of the process. Very helpful and informative.
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1 ReactionI was diagnosed at age 50 stage 4(a) PCA. Gleason 4+3=7.
Surgery with a few positive nodes and recurrence of PSA. Lupron with good control but eventually CAD due to lupron otherwise tolerated well.
Bony Mets after 10 or more years: enzalutamide with terrible side effects; provenge with no effect; zoladex, denosumab and eventually docetaxel chemo and local radiation to sacral nerve Mets due to horrific pelvic pain, and Radium 223.
I’m 70 and alive after 20 yrs stage 4 disease.
Pelvic pain is debilitating and I’ve had multiple failed nerve blocks(pudendal and ganglia impar nerve ablations) and left with no other options other than methadone which does have some neuropathic benefit that other opioids do not.
I will start lutetium 177-pluvicto- when available.
The good news is I’ve survived 20+ years with stage 4 disease with many non painful bony metastases but no other visceral Mets.
We can never know the future/prognosis of this disease and as challenging as it is-overwhelmingly for me as I’ve shared only part of my extremely complicated medical history- there is always a next step in treatment even as I’ve been told there are no further options for me.
I’m on med cannabis with little benefit but I am seeking an eventual psychedelic guided session.
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9 ReactionsHi your story is immense. The fact that you made i thus far is enlightening. am 76 recently diagnosed and having gone through radion and a year of lupron and casodrx am moving on to erleada. I a ma life long fitnes athlete and hope that helps. My bestregards for you andthe struggle withthis terrible disease
I am 76 and the prognosis is a year old , RE insurence I am a disabled viet vet and as such recieve compensation and medical care.
As it should be. Best of health to you.
Having hope is the only way we can keep from going crazy as we navigate through our PC lives, lives that we never expected. Sharing information about our treatments helps us evaluate our individual situations and ask our doctors some important questions. Until I was diagnosed in January, I was terrified of doctors and hospitals. That changed quickly once I realized what the alternative was. I have learned so much about PC and PC treatments in the past 3 months. The stories posted here by others with PC gives me so much hope and comfort. Keep fighting guys!
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1 ReactionYour comments have a lot of information and your success gives me so much hope! When I was diagnosed 3 months ago, I immediately felt like I only had weeks or months to live. The oncologist then told me that he expected to be seeing me for many years. He doesn't like to give timelines but he told me it would be more than 5 years. Those statements helped my anxiety and terror. Your stories about your treatment and your 20 year journey give me so much hope! My PC is in my abdominal lymph nodes, sacrum, and L5. I'm on Abiratone, Prednisone, and Lupron. Had my first of 6 radiation treatments on my sacrum and L5 today. 6 consecutive days. Hopefully that will stabilize the bones and prevent pain/other issues. Thanks again!
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3 Reactionsand to everyone """ but it takes fortitude to continue nevertheless ! I am real thankful for the opportunity to share and be party to this dialogue .
How old are u?