My Prostate Cancer

[Rotten]

I go by Rotten. My PSA is 27 and Gleason is 9. I'm don't know what to do. And I'm new at this chatting I type with 1finger. So I hope someone can tell me their experiences with prostate cancer. Thank y'all.

[Rotten]

Thanks! May God bless all of y'all!

[dockam]

Hello, I was diagnosed in Jan '15 with GL7 (4+3) stage IV prostate cancer with mets to ureter lymph nodes. Started ADT (Lupron/Casodex) and did 15 chemos. PSA at Dx was 840 and now at 0.1

theloopnewspaper.com/story/...

Best to you - Randy

[Hidden in reply to dockam]

None of us before APC knew any of these acronyms or what they entail.Jump in , learn fast and attack the beast ..sounds like you’re doing it. I’m A yr no signs not to say no side effects or symptoms as you know ..Keep fighting for health.

[Dr_WHO]

First things first. It is hard to do, but take the time to breath. You will need to make appointments with a surgical urologist and a medical oncologist asap. With what you told us you do have advanced cancer. While it sucks, please know that a lot of people here (myself included) also have advanced cancer. Some of us have been here for over a decade. You need to determine if the cancer has spread. I would also recommend that you get bone/ CT (or MRI) scans done as soon as it possible. Hopefully it has not, but even if it has there is every reason to believe that you will also be here for a long, long time.

Here are some of your possible choices. It is in no way a complete list. The goal is to give you some information so you can start your own research. (Please note that I am not a medical doctor. These are suggestions from one friend to another.). First, even if the cancer has spread, if it is limited to the pelvic lymph nodes then surgery is still an option. Please note that this option is still a relatively new concept. Many surgeons will not operate it it had spread. In my case I had to argue to have surgery.

Radiation is also a very good first choice for treatment. You can also have radiation as a secondary treatment after surgery. In my case I had 38 rounds aimed at the pelvic lymph area after surgery. Note that while you can have radiation after surgery it is hard to have surgery after radiation. Radiation produces to much scare tissue.

In all likelihood you will also be put on some form of hormonal therapy. The most common one is Lupron. Hormonal therapy can be given while you are undergoing any of the above treatments. Results published just this year have shown a dramatic positive impact by using two types oh hormonal therapies at the same time. In my case I am on both Lupron and Zytiga. A reference for this dual treatment is listed below.

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

There are side effects to each treatment. Some of them suck (my favorite word). But please know this, I had surgery, radiation and I am still on Lupron and Zytiga. Yet I almost have 1000 miles riding a bike in for the year, will be going on my second SCUBA dive trip this year, walk with the dogs about three hours every day. You can overcome any side effect.

I am so sorry that you have to deal with this. Please know that everyone here is on your side. While it is a shock to the system hearing those words “you have cancer”, it is not the end. While in no way a blessing, in many ways I have become even closer to my wife since my diagnoses. Please focus on the good things. Again everyone here is supporting you.

[vandy69]

Good Morning Rotten,

Almost like you, I was diagnosed in August 2012 with PSA=29 and Gleason 10 and I am still here!

What matters the most to survive and live is the quality of care you receive. I cannot overemphasize that hard fact.

Prostate cancer is a complex disease and there are many different approaches to fighting it.

You need to find a Medical Oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer, either with a large research hospital or in practice with other docs who do the same.

Money may become an issue depending on your age, but Medicare does a very good job.

If you have to travel out of state to find your world-class Medical Oncologist, do it. This is not the time to go cheap.

Learn all you can. As silly as it may sound, buy and read "Prostate Cancer for Dummies". You will learn about many treatments.

Finally, stay connected to family and friends! Stay positive.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

[de-luke]

I recommend finding a patient run PC group to attend. NYC has Cancer ABC's and MaleCare that meet at Union Square.

[j-o-h-n]

so ROT, count to TEN and take a deep breath... Remember what they say, "most men die with Prostate cancer rather than from it". There is plenty of help out there and especially here on this site. Just keep typing with your one finger and don't worry about spell check.

Good Luck and Good Health to y'all.

And Remember to laugh....

j-o-h-n Friday 10/20/2017 5:18 PM EST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

Funny, no laughter and we re thru. Go Dodgers!

[Hidden]

Hey dude,

Don't feel bad, I use two fingers to type, but only one at a time. I'm a stickler for my own spelling and punctuation. This is a side effect of twelve years of catholic school. You'll find not only a wealth of info and support here, you'll find out some guys don't even use periods. Sometimes no spaces. Also, screw the cancer.

Joe

[Hidden]

You might feel rotten , but you’re not. You can and will do everything that’s needed to keep addressing this APC issue as long as you live. Don’t go into a pit of doom and gloom. I for one have been there. Just don’t get struck in negative emotions or people around you. This is awake up call for all of us not to take what’s right with our life’s for granted. Don’t let this disease define you as a person. Fight for your health and bring those close to you closer. Get answers for yourself and follow the best path for you. Do not imprint bad stats or projected life expectancies from the Doctors. There is no expiration date on us. Live healthy and long!