Am I Dying? : 60 year old man, went in... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Am I Dying?

GolferDan profile image
81 Replies

60 year old man, went in for an annual physical and came out with cancer! Last week through biopsy I was diagnosed with a Gleason 9 and PSA 121 (up from 44 two weeks prior). Bone scan and CT revealed bone Mets on pelvis and in one rib. Also notes a cyst on my liver. Urologist says it’s prostate cancer and it’s aggressive. I have meeting with an oncologist tomorrow but I’m of course so scared. Prior to this I felt young and healthy. Is there any hope for someone with this aggressive prostate cancer and bone involvement?

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GolferDan
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81 Replies
dlestercarlson profile image
dlestercarlson

I have been dealing with Prostate Cancer for 13 years and for the last 7 years with Stage IV Mesatatic Prostate Cancer. I have bone mets on my pelvis, ribs and spine. Also in my Lymph nodes. I have just completed my 10th round of ChemoTherapy which causes me a few days of down time. Some day I will die from this disease or of something else I'm still alive and am able to live a pretty good life. I take it a day at a time. To me the key is to have a positive attitude about your future and not give up, then make sure you've got the best doctor you can find.

Good Luck

Dennis

GolferDan profile image
GolferDan in reply todlestercarlson

Thank you!

cfrees1 profile image
cfrees1 in reply toGolferDan

Be careful of what you read on the internet, most statistics are based on old data. There is so much research going on right now and we have seen lots of new treatments just in the last few years. So, yes, there is hope. You'll have treatments to deal with but we are all in that boat so you'll get lots of questions answered here. Good luck and good health!

Kodamolagai profile image
Kodamolagai in reply todlestercarlson

Hi ! I feel very encouraged after reading your reply. I am from Mumbai ,India . PC was detected in January 2016 .Stage IV ; PSA 33.Gleason score 8. I Completed six doses of chemotherapy in July 2016 .I also underwent orchidectomy surgery .

Psa dropped to 0.045 in December 2017.Niw it shows 0.105 .Bone scan shows lesions have not grown.But a tiny spot visible in right shoulder.underwent radiation .

I don’t worry too much about the PC .i am 68 now .Trying to keep normal schedule of walking and Yoga thrice a week .

Currently in US for a brief visit to see this beautiful country before returning to Mumbai and resume my work with Rotary as President of the Chembur Club.

Reading your reply gave me hope and enthusiasm

Thanks

Ramani

in reply toKodamolagai

Welcome Ramani, Safe travels thru the US..

in reply todlestercarlson

Amazing!! Thank you.

joancarles profile image
joancarles

Hello! I've had advanced prostate cancer for 9 months. I'm leaving a situation much worse than you. I am 51 years old.

The medication has stabilized me and at this moment I am improving.

Here you will find a lot of information and people very experienced in dealing with this disease.

Good luck

in reply tojoancarles

hi what meds are you taking? I too was diagnosed yesterday. Frightened.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to

Hello cloc! I feel your diagnosis. You will see improvements.

My medication is: Zytiga and Prednisone.

The truth that I have improved a lot since the diagnosis, caught me in very low physical form.

Whatever you need. Lots of strength

in reply tojoancarles

thank you J Much appreciated! i want all of the info I can garner at this point

in reply tojoancarles

You’re going to do well.

in reply to

Yesterday! Whoa brother... good you found HL. Those in the know will answer any fears that need to be addressed. You will get better info here and more of it than from most doctors ...Sometimes the drs are so busy they don’t take time to answer a lot of questions. The more you know the better your choices. Don’t sit silent friend .Now is the time to ask questions. This is your life on the line.There is a lot that you can do to improve your outcome. God bless!

in reply tojoancarles

Guys under 50 are here but under 60 really is tooo early for APC. 51 that’s fun! I wasn’t quite ready for the drastic life changes . I was 53 . What to do? I’m just trying to stay out of trouble . I’ve lived some life.... extravagance at times .. Now the very simple path. I’m looking for spiritual connectivity ... want to build my strength there ,because I now know ,how fragile our status here really is. I thought that I was invincible until APC showed me different . Who am I? To be or not to be? It humbles the strongest man. We’re like Samson after the haircut. ... I got weakened from the start more than most due to kidnies and urethra blocked with pc tumors. I lost all strength and stamina. Up hill battle attempting to reagain what was lost. And I was a work out guy . It’s a slap in the face. Let the ego go. And go with a positive flow. Do that and you might be that guy here for the cure. Good luck brother. Don’t dwell on this until your head explodes .Any distraction from PC or anything to feel better.... Take it easy joancarlos. 🌵

Yes you are dying. If you can find a way around it, please let me know. We are all dying, how we die is a crap shoot. This group is full of men who were in your shoes 10-15 years ago. They are still doing well despite being given a "grim reaper" diagnoses. You are just beginning a long strange journey, buckle up for the ride.

Find yourself a very, very good oncologist, it matters. Educate yourself, it also matters. Finally relax and regroup mentally, your not going anywhere for awhile.

in reply to

Right on Bill48162!!! Keep on truckin!

Jvaughan0 profile image
Jvaughan0

The short answer is yes. Your attitude has understandably changed in a second from one of youthfulness and health to a state of being afraid, mentally devastated, numb, and in shock. Don't let your emotions rule. Life doesn't pass out expiration dates, but you are now face-to-face with your mortality. ....what to do? Give yourself time to recover from the shock. Your life is far from over, but it is forever changed. Become a listener. Listen to the people who post here, listen to the doctors, and listen to the people who love you. Once you have heard them all, make decisions on how to fight this cancer. Your life is not over; it may be just beginning.

in reply toJvaughan0

Great stuff!

YostConner profile image
YostConner

Hell yes there’s hope!!

I’m 11 years into this. Nearly 8 of that is with bone mets. It’s a fight. Feeling young will make you a good fighter.

Recent advancements are amazing. Make sure your oncologist has a specialty in prostate cancer. Stay in touch with us and let us know how you’re improving.

And never give in.

Yost.

gusgold profile image
gusgold

Gd,

you have very aggressive PCa with a doubling time of less than 2 weeks...you need aggressive treatment fast...since you are metastatic but probably not castrate resistant you probably have to start with Lupron/Zytiga/Casodex

Dan59 profile image
Dan59

Many of us have been in your spot many years ago. My thought is that you should have that psa rechecked, Do not base anything on the results of one psa,the one that was 121. There is a thing called lab error. How do you feel?

Dan

GolferDan profile image
GolferDan in reply toDan59

I felt great until the day the doctor called with those results. Now I’m anxiety ridden.

in reply toGolferDan

We have all

been where you are at right now in this process GolferDan , Everyman and women thats involved have been in your shoes, the fear,horror of not knowing. It too shall pass .Once some of the fear and shock subsides you will do what must be done to live..

jimhagood profile image
jimhagood

Yes, there is much hope and many medical avenues available to you, us. The fact remains, prostate cancer will likely reduce the expected life span of men like us to something less than 70. And that is terrible, of course—however, we have every reason in the world to cram as much ‘livin’ as we can into the single digit years ahead. You feel young and healthy. Great. Get as much out of young and healthy as you possibly can.

Daddyishealing profile image
Daddyishealing in reply tojimhagood

I never heard that less than 70 statistic. Pm me with studies if you have them. Do you mean less than ten years of that most men haven't lived passed 70. Isn't it true that due to recent advances , this is subject to change . Ty for info. Always appreciate being educated by my real life heros

jimhagood profile image
jimhagood in reply toDaddyishealing

The oncologist will explain it all to you in far better terms that ever I might be able to share. From what you describe, it appears the PC in your case is mets to bone in pelvis/rib and perhaps mets viscerally to the liver. The later, should be your primary focus at the moment.

in reply tojimhagood

Don't know where you are getting that gloomy lifespan BS. I was diagnosed and treated at age 66. I expect to make it to at least 76 and unlikely that prostate cancer will do me in.

jimhagood profile image
jimhagood in reply to

I apologize if my pragmatism is depressing. I read too many scholarly articles on this subject of incurable prostate cancer wherein every treatment option available is palliative.

in reply tojimhagood

That is the truth of the matter. Stage -# 4 is all palliative. with help from on high it can Extend life..make the most of that extension.

cullenf profile image
cullenf in reply to

I don't agree LuLu. I have Stage IV. Have gotten Eligard and Provenge so far. Provenge attacks cancer cells. That's not palliative. Other hormonal treatments, chemo and other weapons the Dr. has

in his medicine chest do more than just make you comfortable.

cullenf profile image
cullenf in reply tocullenf

I guess if by saying there's only palliative care you mean there are no curative treatments, you are right. I think of palliative as relieving the symptoms. But there are still treatments that fight the cancer and slow it down, of course.

in reply tocullenf

It’s Symantec’s, sorry my fault. There are many treatment options for us at #4 . Some men have beat it or kept it away for 20 yrs, with adt, ...

I’m An optimist hoping some of us can do that . There are miracles ..just the facts state no cure for #4 ..Hope that changes while we toil with palliative care. APC is nothing that we planned for in our golden years. When they told us it’s terminal -no cure- I had tubes hanging out of my back and dick , carried 3 bags of piss around for 11/2 yrs .I’m just thanking god that I’m not in that hell anymore. Enjoy this world while we’re here. Peace to you...

in reply tojimhagood

Hell ya!

Canoehead profile image
Canoehead

Previous posts have given you all the advice you need to get started with good treatment. Since I was diagnosed only 6 mths ago (stage 4 metastatic) I am still on the emotional roller coaster you should be aware of. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty go with the territory, but knowledge can alleviate much of that. Worse is the fact that your meds may cause some depression.

This is a roller coaster, but every week brings more good news. Six months ago I was told that debulking did no good when the “horses were out of the barn.” Three months ago I was told it might help, but it is not a cure. Then I read about a small study at Sloan Kettering suggesting that some metastatic patients had been cured. Then my oncologist said his tumor board decided they might treat me as oligometastatic. Then a friend who is more knowledgeable than I am told me to get realistic, that the radiation I am contemplating would not cure me - it would only make me live much longer.

The future is promised to no one, but I believe the glass is half full, not half empty. Best wishes to you in the fight.

in reply toCanoehead

🍷

in reply toCanoehead

Living much longer is my goal! Enjoying what time we have is even more important with our odds of brevity. 🛶

kevin44 profile image
kevin44

I have just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. my PSA was 17 in 2014 and now is 35.

I am waiting for bone scan now. My question is ... why not do a Pat CT scan which can also see cancer in the bones right?

The reason i say this is because the bone scans here in Indonesia may NOT be reliable. But the Pat CT scnas are?

in reply tokevin44

I was given a bone scan and an abdominal CT scan. I believe the CT scan was to explore for lymph node involvement. Both scans were negative for me.

in reply to

That’s great.

mijnzoek profile image
mijnzoek

Hello

I know ..

we have been there.

.My husband had a similar diagnosis 5 years ago ..it is all trembling and shock....it got better..weeks in .. once we decided to own the problem ...and started the Budwig diet ..I know now .. it is probably not doing much for prostate cancer ..We did it for about a year..what it did though..( in hindsight ) was giving us a feeling we were doing something ..it was in our camp ..we had a role to play ..it brought hope while we were reading up

Like other people mentioned ..If you can cope with having some input into your treatment ..you will feel less of a victim

Your life is not over .

Daddyishealing profile image
Daddyishealing

Yes 100 percent. You are NOT DYING. you can read my bio on my dad's progress and treatments a year and half post diagnosis same as yours but with sacral fractures. Get genetic testing done early on and start treatment, usually lupron and exgeva to strengthen your bones. Take vitamin D as the doctor is going to tell you too. I have two parents with cancer. Most of all catch your breath, the men on here are brilliant, and funny, and brave, some years and years post diagnosis also with stage 4. Patrick and nalkaratz always have very good info on natural treatment to help as well. . My friend, right now you have as much of a chance of dying as anyone. I could cross the street and get hit by a car. My dad also young like you, was told age is also in his favor and since chemo he's even started new business venture. Multiple oncologists told him you are more likely to die with pc than of it. These guys here are so inspiring. Let them help you on your journey and it's frightening, but you can handle this.

1. Get urological oncologist

2. Don't be afraid to get second opinion

3. Don't put off the lupron shot. Tell them you want to start NOW . (This was choice of a doctor himself who got pc and lived many wonderful years) Start there and breathe.

4. Life will change but it's far from over

Read bio for dad's journey if you'd like

5. Do not look up stats etc on Google. So much info is outdated, and progress in the PC field is growing. Get info here, from professionals, and scholarly studies, not from random internet article. I tortured myself doing that.

Keep us updated. This is just another chapter in the story of your life. Not the ending, so write your chapters well and never give up!

With love,

Erica

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit

Dan. Yes and no. Stage 4 with bone,spine,lymph nodes 20 months ago. Dr.said at the start a 50/50 chance of 5 years. I still remember the feeling of complete despair when the urologist said that. Went in immediately to get 6 rounds of chemo,lupron and Xgeva shots. PSA dropped to nothing. Now on a monthly shot regiment with blood panels.

Dan welcome to the group,there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here. Everyone of us are battling this monster our own way. My wife is my life line and nurse, she in turn has a shrink she sees to help her with her issues. Don’t give up but get your stuff together,start a ledger or diary,someone gave me a pocket dog ,she is a wonderful distraction .Hang in there it’s a long road to travel . Larry

Tjc1 profile image
Tjc1

We all are dying here but get this... i was diagnosed at 52

leo2634 profile image
leo2634

Hey Golfer go hit some balls and stay out of the sand traps. I have the same as you brother and attitude is everything. I trust my Doctors with my life for after all isn't that why we go to them. My treatment is Zytiga,Prednisone,Eligard injections every six months and Xgeva for none Mets. I was a 14 PSA in February am now 0.1 almost undetecable. Keep the faith Brother..Leo

EdBar profile image
EdBar

I had a similar diagnosis over 4 years ago when I was 55, you can click on my profile to see the course of action I've taken. Learn all you can, get a really good oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer - this is very important and may require some travel, and be your own advocate.

One More Cast...

Ed

van123 profile image
van123

Hi Dan, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of PS cancer at 64, stage 3. I opted for radical surgery. The cancer had covered 17% of my prostrate. Six months later I had 26 radiation treatments and a castration shot. I am now 66 almost 67 and no signs of cancer coming back. You can have a good life after the cancer. I go day by day. Hope this helps you feel better.

Litlerny profile image
Litlerny

Hey there GolferDan,

Yep! You’re dying...I’m dying...we are ALL dying. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there is always hope, so don’t hit the panic button. Even with aggressive, metastasized PCa there are a lot of new treatment options out there that didn’t exist even 5 years ago. As you have seen from other replies to your post, there are many men in here, even those with Stage 4 PCa, who have lived, with a fairly good quality of life I might add, for many years.

You will be facing a new reality, and will need to learn to adjust to living with cancer and the side effects of the treatments. But there’s no reason you can’t expect to live many more years with a good quality of life, including playing the most frustrating game ever created...golf!

I was Stage 4 at diagnosis at age 65 3 years ago. I had one bone mets to the lower pelvic area. I have been on Lupron/Eligard and bicalutamide since then, with my PSA staying undetectable, and just completed a voluntary 6 round course of chemo with docetaxel. Other than my bad chemo days, I have continued to golf 2 or 3 times a week throughout it all, and plan to continue to do “creative landscaping” on golf courses for many years to come.

Keep your faith and a positive attitude. Study up on the issues facing you so you can have intelligent discussions with your MO (medical oncologist), and have some input as to your treatment decisions. IMHO aggressive cancer requires an aggressive response. The battle is just beginning, but you will do well.

OK. I’m off to the golf course. Have a great day! 🏌️⛳️

Mark

ucladany profile image
ucladany in reply toLitlerny

I don't know you Mark but from your response, you are one hell of a guy.

Litlerny profile image
Litlerny in reply toucladany

Thanks ucladany! That made my day. We have a room full of great guys here, some of whom have been very inspirational for me, and others are walking textbooks on PCa, full of valuable info and suggestions. Have a great evening!

in reply toLitlerny

Fooouurrrr!!!!!!

Maleko808 profile image
Maleko808 in reply toLitlerny

Man, wish I had taken up golf. And now its going to snow in UT. Think i will check out the indoor tracks. Being stage 4 doesnt mean there isn't life left. I plan on hanging around long enough to get in retirement and enjoy some time looking for warm golf weather.

Also another Mark 😉

SsgCulldelight profile image
SsgCulldelight

Golfer D, No WORRIES MAN, you were fine before and as you adjust to the meds youll be fine after. Oh and Yes we are ALL DYING SMILE:), really though if you have to do chemo or rads, that will make you sick and make you question your virility and mortality, but again, you MUST KEEP THE SAME ATTITUDE AND ENERGY you expressed before you knew this, that is KEY my Friend. STAY UP.

abmicro profile image
abmicro

I had a similar shock diagnosis at Gleason 8. Best advice is to build a team of good doctors. Interview them, and weed out the idiots. One oncologist told me "Dont worry, Kaiser pays for Hospice". I fired him and moved on to build up my team of doctors. That was 12 years ago. I am still alive. I am still fighting the battle but trying to enjoy the life I have been given.

Dont get sucked into a tangent with something from the internet or a book that you had to buy for $49.95 to hear more about a "miraculous treatment". They are taking advantage of very sick people. They are committing murder to make a profit and they dont care. A few in my support group got sucked to one of those extremes, and they are all dead now. Biggest offenders are the Vegans who preach it like a religion saying stop your meds and go Vegan. Quick way to die. Vegan is healthy, but it is not a religion and not a cure for cancer.

I also hate the annoying emails from relatives quoting studies on a new cancer drug that works on rats. We are humans. There is nothing I can do with that information. Mostly, those drugs fail years later when they finally test it on humans.

Since moving to Sacramento, most of my advice today comes from Stanford and UC Davis.

With a good team of doctors in various specialties, you can get good medical advice. You should live a long time. Take that life and life it to the fullest.

Stegosaurus37 profile image
Stegosaurus37

I'm firmly convinced more people die of worry than anything else. Yes you've had a bad hand just dealt to you but it's up to you how you play it. Attitude is everything. And you are not in it alone - besides all your family and friends, you have all your brothers in this forum. We're with you all the way!

Am I dying? That's often the first thing that comes into our minds after we get the dreaded "news". Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I was planning on being the first exception. But now, what I call the "immortality bubble" has been popped. For me, accepting and embracing my own mortality has given my life new meaning. It was only when I completely accepted that I was dying that I could be fully alive.

The next surprise I had was finding out how many effective treatments are available for advanced stage prostate cancer. A lot of us here have gone many years with the treatments currently available.

So yes I am dying, but not now. Right now, I am LIVING. I am living life to the fullest. I invite you to do the same.

Good luck with your treatments.

in reply to

Live on gregg57.. I’m striving for that peace of mind. Or any piece of mind.

Todd1963 profile image
Todd1963

Hi Dan,

At diagnosis my PSA was 3229.16 with metastasis in my bones lungs and lymph nodes. Biopsy said Gleason 7 not 9 but who knows what it really was. The prostate was the size of a tennis ball and the tumor had grown into my bladder. I, like you, was afraid but I have a strong faith in God as I understand him to be and maintained a positive outlook. I was 42. I am now 54 years old and currently the cancer is undetectable.

We are all dying. There is nothing we can do about that but whether it is from cancer, old age, or getting hit by a dump truck it will happen someday. My advice to you is to focus on today and enjoying your life. Worrying about tomorrow will not add a single day to your life. You have today. Do something wonderful with it. Who knows, you may have so much fun you will forget to die.

ucladany profile image
ucladany in reply toTodd1963

Thank you for your comments my Brother.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply toTodd1963

You have a great story .Congratulations

Color me skeptical of this kind of alternative (won't call it medicine) treatment. 1st 2 minutes was all I could watch.

JohnCee profile image
JohnCee

GD

I was in the same position as you in 2010 and had gone through colon cancer in 2003 but early detection and quick surgery resolved the problem very quickly. In 2010 I knew I had to act quickly so within two months of the initial prostate cancer diagnosis I has a radical prostectomy which in hindsight was wrong as the cancer metastized post surgery but at the time that was the treatment standard BUT I have been treated ever since and I am still relatively healthy almost nine years later.

MY MESSAGE IS STAY POSITIVE AND LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTORS !

The treatment options may be confusing but there are many treatment options. Yes we will all die but not as quickly as you may think.

Stay strong !

John

toml77 profile image
toml77 in reply toJohnCee

Hi John, My experience and yours are mirror images, including the colon resection 5 years prior to the prostate issues. I halted any treatment until mets were detected by scans and my PSA was at 20. Then I started IADT (casodex/zoladex) with Zometta every 3 months. For the last 10 years I have been 9 months on (PSA goes to <1)and 18 months off (PSA>20) hormones but get the Zometta every 3 months. The mets have not increased or caused any noticeable pain and I get to recover my steam (T) after 9 months of T depletion. I am being treated , very well, at Roswell Park in Buffalo NY. (the discovery place of PSA) An understanding wife/partner is essential in handling the loss of libido.

Good Luck and Good Health,

Tom

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

to 60 year old GolferDan:

First of all chill out and take a very deep breath. Many many years ago I saw a bumper sticker that read "You're not getting older your just dying". So I say to myself "self, that's right but I ain't gonna sit around and worry about dying when I can be living". My hobby is humor.

I betcha dollars to donuts you'll be taking many many more mulligans before you go to that great big Golf Course in the sky. Using my special psychic powers I predict that you'll be around for at least 25 years (unless your wife finds you cheating on her, then all bets are off).

Take one day at a time and get yourself some very good doctors and heed the advice of the gentlemen and caregivers here on this forum. And please try to laugh every day. I know the saying "smile things could be worse, so sure enough I smiled and things got worse".

BTW where are you located?

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 04/25/2018 2:11 PM EDT

GolferDan profile image
GolferDan in reply toj-o-h-n

Thanks you for the great reply. I’m located in Michigan.

We all die. Some sooner; some later. 15 years ago I was DX'd with PCa. Almost a year later two mets and a rapidly rising PSA. You need a solid MO that specializes in PCa, period. Take a Lupron injection and start chemo I did within six weeks of the metastatic Stage 4 advanced prostate cancer you can kick its butt!

Gourd Dancer

TenscTexan profile image
TenscTexan

I'm sure everyone here would like to know what the oncologist had to say. So contrary to what you've probably read via Google, this website tells you your not going to die in 18 months like I suspected when I was diagnosed a year ago. I had so many bone mets, I looked like a polka dot dress all over my upper body. I had doctors look at me and wonder how I could walk. Today, a year later, I still have cancer, about 70% less than I started with so the way I look at it, the cancer has a lot of catching up to do. Like several others on this site, my PSA never stabilizes, it bounces around, doubles, sticks its tongue out, but the growth rate is at a snails pace, now on Zytiga for 2 months, it has stopped and my PSA was down to 1.26 last Friday, a first for me. Make sure you get an oncologist that specializes in prostate cancer and keep reading and researching here and you'll know as much as that doctor does pretty soon. I've learned so much here, 99.9% of it accurate. If I get the anti gravity machine I bought from some post months ago, it'll be 100%! (Sometimes, it gets humorous.)

in reply toTenscTexan

Gravity is in control.

Pokeragain profile image
Pokeragain

An American pilot in ww2 crashed and was brought to a UK hospital. When he awoke he asked the nurse, "Did I come here to die?" The nurse replied, "No sir, You came here yesterdie". I was diagnosed 22 years ago. I'm 75, still have cancer and above room temperature. Get the best medical care and keep smiling.

in reply toPokeragain

Your are playing a winning hand.Inspirational. Thanks

jsmith2506 profile image
jsmith2506

Hi there GolferDan....I am exactly one year from the nearly same diagnosis as you.....Stage IV, Gleason 9, 4 small metastases in the pelvic region......I was put on Leupron, Biculatimide (Casodex) and Zometa for bone strengthening since I have mild osteoporosis....for urinary issues was given Flomax and Finasteride and have very few urinary accidents anymore.....also put on a high vegetables, fruit diet, lean metats, vitamins calcium, D3 and CoQ10....regular exercise 6 days a week for one hour....just strenuous walking right now due to osteoporosis and light weights 3 times per week....I must admit, I feel better now than pre-diagnosis with diet, exercise and very important..."HOPE"......I have nearly undetectable PSA;s every 3 months....bone scans show no further growth in one year and generally feel great....I'm 67 years old and loving life and maintaining a day at a time attitude and positive attitude.....educate yourself with conversations with your treatment team, especially oncologist and urologist and read RECENT research on new treatments....the more you know, the less fear you'll have....I also recommend yoga and meditation if you are so inclined....it helps with stress and try to stay away from toxic people and negative people...they really do effect your health....I'm enjoying life immensely now that I understand more what I'm dealing with.....hang in there my friend.....your life is not over yet.....celebrate your annual "date of diagnosis" birthday....have a party and invite positive friends and family to celebrate with you.....all these things help me...and I do wish you the best and welcome to the PCa Club.....we're here to help and support you.....you're not alone!!! Hang in there, buddy!!!!!

To GolferDan, I was 54 & I’ve come along way in 3 yrs . You can too. Ask your drs how long have you been working on this thing inside of you. Mine told me that I had it inside raging for years to get to my point. Stubborn man. I had symptoms; frequently peeing but I ignored mine until pc tumors shut me down .I had tubes out of my kidnies and a foley and or stints for my first 11/2 dance with prostate cancer. I’ve had no signs for the past 2out of 3 yrs. If I could come from that to a much better place, then you can too .. It will take some effiort and prayer to get you and anyone that is caring for you through treatments and beyond.Otherwise healthy , that’s in your favor big time Treatments strip us of much .Dont let PC ruin self or those close to you. It’s normal to have fear ,and a full range of emotions when you hear that you have this demasculating disease. There is suffering .Beyond that , go with the flow accept your lot and get to work pushing back pc and don’t waste time.... If or when you get better being angry and sad. APC will show is hoe fragile our existence actually is . Do what you feel is right for you and don’t look back. You have one chance to kick this thing as hard as you can .You just need to recovery after wards .That recovery should start right now.I suggest super healthy eating and a daily exercise plan .With treatments and no T everything changes and you’ll need adjustment time. This is not a one round fight with APC , it normally comes back for another. Consentrate in just getting on the other side of treatments.Get thru this first round. Find a positive way to vent..This website can be of tremendous benefit for you . No experation date stamped on your ass. Don’t take to heart that this is an automatic death warrent. It’s not.. you will live, make the most out of any good moments ..

Good luck GolferDan & keep the gophers off the golf course...

We are aaalll dieing dear sir.

whatsinaname profile image
whatsinaname in reply to

Agreed. Realistically, some die quicker than others. Some die later but more painfully. Nothing much one can do about that except gain as much knowledge of your disease as is possible and try act on that knowledge. Also, hope for a lot of luck.

in reply towhatsinaname

APC is It a conundrum for us from A-B ...It s who can outlast who ... US or APC .... APC doesn’t ever really win the fight. Because is sacraficies itself to kill the host. The only winning here is if we find peace and travel with our pack full and a smile on our face..My dr told me that if I did nothing that I’d die within 2yrs a brutally painful death like a women giving birth .all in the pelvis .Sign me up .My treatments were purely to improve my quality of life.Of which sucked at the time with tubes and bags and the dreaded foley .I feel blessed to be out of that hell .Ive been told this no visible sign thing “CAN “ last typically 4yrs..and I’m 2 yrs into that right now . . They told me at first I’d live 40 months with treatments if I was lucky .The next year aftert RT and adt my specialist actually told me jokingly “ you’ve got another 30 yrs”. that made me happy .My reality is that I’m living with the fatigue and all of the side effects But I’m living .Im a husband to a beautiful angel that gives me a reason to endure what I must to be with her another day.She is my heaven on earth . stay in love with the world ..There are silver linings on many of these clouds . Your not done here yet, good man , this is a test of who we are... You’ll pass with flying colors and join the rank and file of the thousands of guys that are surviving and still finding enjoyment on this spinning orb we call home ..peace..thanks for the good news..keep everything going in the positive lane to the finish line

GolferDan profile image
GolferDan

Thank you everyone for your replies! This network of guys for support is great.

Met with the doctor and he gave me a shot (said it was a form of Chemo). Then it’ll be a six month shot of Lupron. Then we will see where to go from there. He wasn’t really positive or negative about anything...said it’s in your body and it’s not curable but you’re not dying tomorrow and if and when it gets to that point he’ll let me know.

Anyway, feeling a little more settled, but still scared and concerned. Didn’t think the doctor was very helpful really. I am feeling like I should get another opinion. Who is the guru of prostate cancer in the country? I’m willing to travel. Thanks again, wishing none of us had to be on this journey.

Joeym1040 profile image
Joeym1040

I know it is scary. My advise is to try and relax. There are great treatments available andmost men do fairly well. Get educated (just being on this site is a good start). Get a list of questions ready for the doctors. If they don't answer to your satisfaction find another doctor. You can also go to one of the many great cancer centers around the country depending on where you live. Good luck!!!

Lunbo profile image
Lunbo

Golfer Dan—-I’ m 80 yrs old with MPCa since 2001. Get a good Onc who advocates aggressive treatment—-many treatment modalities exist —-have been thru Lupron, & other ADP and Zytiga(5yrs), Xtandi now with stable PSA and have new drug as back up Erleata And have not had IV chemo thanks to a great MO. And being positive!!! Hang in there!!!!

tallguy2 profile image
tallguy2

My first DX was 2012--- stage IV with Gleason of 9. 3 weeks ago I learned of mets in lymph system and spine. You and I are on a sacred journey, GolferDan. There is no "cure" that medicine can offer us but thanks to many, many men we have the results of clinical trials that can offer us a better, and longer quality of life than if we do nothing.

I start Taxotere chemotherapy next Monday. Good luck to you and God bless!

in reply totallguy2

To tallguy2 , you’ve kicked this thing down the road a bit.. Good job.. Gives hope to us that are following behind you time wise. We are all different drummers playing the .. same toon. APC shuffle... God be with you and your family in this phase of treatments. We pray for improvement and no pain. Doing Nothing was not an option for me either. I say like butch and sundance or in our case , Thelma and Louise , let’s keep paddling until we go over those heavenly falls to where no more pain exist. For now paddle , go,with the flow and enjoy the scenery .. some believe that we could come back as a moth. Who really knows.. we have faith in our own beliefs. God as we think of it is different in many forms . Love of life is gratitude . Suffering is what we pay to see some more days under the sun.. Good luck Monday and speedy recovery afterwards.. peace.

tallguy2 profile image
tallguy2 in reply to

I treasure the journey ahead! My wife and I aren’t changing a single plan...we’re booking vacations into July of 2019. Yes, I am taking out travel insurance. But I’ll be damned if this disease is going to run my life. Good luck to you too and let’s stay in touch!

in reply totallguy2

Nothin goin to keep you down...That’s the spirit. Bon Voyage!

leach234 profile image
leach234

We are all dying from the day we are born! You'll probably live 10-15 years at a minimum.

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