Hello, Ellis-I’ve been on Lupron Depot for close to 10 years now, injection every 6 months. When I asked at first how long I’d have to take it, the answer was “The rest of your life.” Ok, well, how long is that? They wouldn’t answer. Side effects: said goodbye to my love life.
PSA was around 300; Gleason 9.
Since then, external beam radiation and Abiraterone, knocked the PSA down to less than 1, then went up again. Not much side effects. Chemotherapy with Docetaxel, didn’t do much except made me really sick. 7 treatments. Spot radiation to ribs for some mets.
The latest has been the full course of Pluvicto, 6 treatments. Minimal side effects. Dry mouth was about it.
The Pluvicto was more to just try to slow it down - incurable at this point.
I can’t seem to find out what comes next. Maybe Pluvicto was the last and best shot at it.
Next will be full body bone scan and PET scan to find out how much is left and where.
Considering my original PSA score 10 years ago, and the Gleason 9, I think I’ve done fairly well. Now being treated by Palliative Care. The last will be hospice at home, which my dear wife and I discussed thoroughly.
And that, dear friend, has been my journey. It certainly has been an interesting one!