My 63 year old father has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA is 480 with a Gleason score of 9. Currently waiting on results from bone scan and CT scan to see if it has metastasized-which given his Gleason score and PSA level is likely. He is currently hospitalized due to acute kidney failure and just got his first dose of Bicalutamide. I'm here to seek help and advice from a community who is also on the same journey as my family and I. I believe knowledge is power but I still have so much to learn about this disease and treatment. I'm scared but hopeful.
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Here4Dad
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Got the results this morning. It's on his hip, rib and T12 vertabrae. He also has to get nephrostomy tubes to allow kidneys to drain fully. Once kidneys are normalized we can discuss further treatment with oncologist. She recommended we do ADT with a short burst of IV chemo.
Thank you so much for the informative article. The scariest part of this process has been the unknown. Having greater knowledge of the disease as a whole and what to expect has been such a comfort.
My oncolgist says a "short burst" of Chemo may have a short term effect for now, but will cause long term resistance to future treatments. Either the entire 6 infusuions, one every 3 weeks, or nothing, per my oncolgist when I asked him this question. He also does not believe in a reduced dose with weekly or more frequency of infusions to reduce side effects. Says it does not work very well on prostate cancer.
Consider non-chemo treatments. I combined leukine, keto, and estrogen patches which dropped my PSA like a rock to almost undetectable in the earlier stages. Perhaps similar "alternative hormone" treatments combined with leukine will be just as effective. You will have to ask about this. I am sure there are many drugs out there that will be effective in this early stage.
Four years ago I was where your dad is now . I had the bi-lateral neauphrostimy tubes and a foley for a yr and a 1/2.. pure hell, my compassion goes to dad.. During that time I was told not to lift anything over ten pounds..I did Imrt and continue on adt today. More than 3yrs clear with no signs or Psa. So it is possible to recover....#1 shrink those tumors, get the tubes out. After a yr they put stints in urethra to ween me off of the tubes.. Not peeing is brutal. My prayer during that whole time was just to be able to pee again half way normally without brutal pain.. I am there... It is hard to explain how demoralizing the bags and tubes are to live with.. So my hope for him is that he too shrinks those tumors and rids himself of the dang bags and tubes and get back to a more human existence...If I got out of it, he can to. Encourage him to press on.. It can get better.. Scott🌵
Thank you so much for sharing!!! My Dad is not on here directly but I screenshot encouraging messages and forward to him. It definitely helps encourage both of us and reinforces our hope and wishes for a better quality of life.
He s got to take it one day at a time.. a wonderful photo of you both.. Love can not be conquered.. with much love he can pull out of the tubes.. I m personally very interested in his progress so please let me know.. my major problem was I was on strong anti -biotics due to Undieing UTI ‘s the entire time until they removed everything; tubes , foley, and stints.. That effected my immune system. I’m still in persuit of regaining strenght and stamina lost by the limited rage allowed while on the tubes.. I pulled one tube out as it caught on the seat belt exiting car and another time I pulled the same right tube by getting it caught on the door knob as it closed behind me. Not goood, emergency repair in the cath lab.. I got to know the people of the cath lab well. They saved my ass evertime. Amazing folks with a difficult job to do. Distract and spoil dad any way you can. It’s so monotonous .. Hang in there with the hope for things to improve .. Many prayers.... you are there for him.. no stronger bond than that.. Thank you😎
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