I was diagnosed with Pca on November 13, 2017. Age 63 at the time. Low PSA 2.6 but DRE indicated a nodule. I am 6'4" tall and weighed about 255 lbs. My internist sent me to a Urologist saying probably nothing because of low PSA. (I watched PSA closely as my Dad died of PCA in 1984 at the age of 60. I was not aware of false negatives with PSA) Urologist expressed immediate concern and we scheduled a biopsy. Test administered on November 3, 2017, and the Dr called on November 13th at 7:30 PM to orally deliver the results. 8 out of 12 cores showed disease with one core Gleason 9, consisting of 4,5. The rest were 7 and 8. Started immediately to do CT scan, MRI, and Bone scan. All looked good. researched and interviewed but I was anxious to "remove" cancer from my body. Opted for RP on December 19, 2017, at the University of PA. Surgeon report said it looked perfect to the naked eye as they removed it. Then I received a call from a nurse on New Years Eve letting me know that subsequent tests indicated significant extra prosthetic evidence of disease on the outside skin of the prostate. No visible involvement of lymph nodes. Waited for return to the surgeon in 90 days to get first PSA post RP. a disappointing. .58 I was looking for .03 or lower. Waited 30 days and it was 1.3. Doubling rapidly.In the meantime I became a strict vegan on November 20, 2017. I only eat things that are antagonistic to hormonal cancers. I have a very vigorous exercise regimen. i was not trying to lose weight but managed to lose 30 lbs or so. I .haven't felt this good in years. MO recommended starting hormones right away and discuss chemo in short order. They recommended radiation of th prostate bed based on a benign MRI they looked at. I talked them into adding a sophisticated auximen PET scan. They fought with the insurance company and we got it approved. a couple of things that were noted before elevated to suspiciouswith mor detail and it was decided there were 3 lesions. I interviewed 2 medical oncologists. I did not connect with either one. The 2nd one wrote the prescription for a starter dose of zytiga in preparation Lupron. called it in to the pharmacy. I drove to the pharmacy, waited in line, and then canceled the order. I needed more time to think. i spoke the radiology team and came for a face to face.
she listened to my concerns and experience, made observations about my personality. We decided that I was not a flight risk so that it was ok to let me engage in the protocols on my time. My decision was to let them fry the lesions with Radiation, see how that works and reevaluate. Radiation took place on my midsection and pelvic area.
I also have been increasing the amount and intensity of food changes, exercise effort, My Dr told me to wait for 90 days to take a PSA reading. I decided to go for a second opinion at Johns Hopkins and got a reading then. 'very disappointing 7.8, was 56 days. I did another at 80 days which is down to. .73 My father (of blessed memory) always said that things that seem too good to be true, generally are. so I am ready for anything and i am searching for the catch. What is the catch? I see the DR next week. I have been cut and burned so far. I am taking the chemical castration off the table until there is evidence of deterioration. i will monitor PSA religiously. I am excstatic with progress since Thursday. Over the moon with success in slowing Cancer down.
does anyone know if i should be looking for other markers that might indicate cancerous growth?
Should I start ADT ?
Pluvicto results (good news), next steps
First post / Prostate & Metastatic Bone Cancer
PSA rising - When to get a PSMA PET scan?
Upcoming appt. with urologist
