First round down...and the clock starts

[Maleko808]

Did my first drip yesterday. If anyone goes to Huntsman I will tell you they are the BEST! Besides huge rice crispy bar I got service I havent seen at 5 star resort! So just looking out for side effects, keeping meds in play, eating good and sleeping. Oh yeah, and gallons of water.

[dlestercarlson]

At Huntsman, they have an excellent wellness center where they teach you exercises that help when dealing with cancer. It is free and well worth your time.

[Treehop in reply to dlestercarlson]

Thank you. I see they have a lot of good resources. I'm definetly going st o check them outl.

[billy1950 in reply to dlestercarlson]

dlestercarlson,

You say that you been dealing with PCa since 1995... you don't have your PSA history, treatment, etc. could you say a bit more. And your age! Thanks, Billy

[dlestercarlson in reply to billy1950]

Billy, I was diagnosed in 1995 with Prostate Cancer. PSA was 10 and my gleason score was 8. I had my prostate removed using the Divinci Robotic Surgery. It was fairly new then, so there was only doctor in our area that did it. My PSA after surgery was basically zero for 6 years when it starting rising again. In 2011, I had 36 treatments of radiation to my pelvic bed, I was also on Lupron and casodex during the radiation treatments. My PSA stayed a zero most of 2012, when it started rising again. It October of 2013, my PSA had reached 7.87. I had switched to a medical onogolist. I was given another Lupron shot and casodex. My PSA at that time was 10.87. The Lupron worked to lower my PSA for about 2 years. In the fall of 2015, I did 3 Provenge treatments, then continued to get the Lupron shots, added Xgeva for my bones, and started taking Zytiga in November 2015. The combination of Lupron and Zytiga worked until about July 2017. My doctor switched my to Xtandi. This medication did not work and my PSA continued to rise. I only took Xtandi for about 3 months. my PSA had risen to 6.84. I started ChemoTherapy using Docetaxel and Predizone. I also started getting the Nulasta shot each time. I received 13 Chemo treatments, then have been on a Chemo Holiday for about 4 months to give my body a rest. During that 4 month break, my PSA has risen to 16.05. I have bone mets and signs of cancer in some of my lymph nodes. Next week, I will start receiving 10 radiation treatments to kill of the bone mets located on my spine (I am starting to get some pain from these bone mets). Then once the radiation is done, I will start ChemoTherapy again still using Docetaxel and Predizone. It has been a challenge through all of this with ups and downs along the way, but I've still been able to do a lot of the things I like to do. I gave up the yard work and other large physical activities. My wife and I have been on a few big trips these last few years including a trip to Sweden and a trip across the United States and we're taking another little trip before I start radiation. I go to the gym every day to exercise which helps a lot. I plan to be around for many more years, despite the cancer. I think if you've got a good attitude and willing to fight you can extend your life. With the ChemoTherapy and other treatments, after learning the different side effects that I can get, I anticipate these before they happen and have been able to minimize some of the problems that I can get. Also, looking for others that I can help or serve helps me keep a positive attitude and keeps my mind off of my own problems. I am 69 years old and started this battle with cancer when I was 55.

Good Luck, I hope this information can help you.

Dennis

[billy1950 in reply to dlestercarlson]

Dennis,

Thanks for sharing! Your treatment history is for the record books! You have gone thru a lot of challenging times with having a good attitude. Great to hear that you are still traveling with the wife and going to the gym! I guess that you must be getting strong support in many ways-possibly having a strong faith...

God bless,

Billy

[dlestercarlson in reply to billy1950]

The support I get from my family and friends is unbelievable and makes a big difference. And you are right, God has blessed me over and over again as I have needed His help.

[billy1950]

Where is Huntsman? Thanks

[Maleko808 in reply to billy1950]

It's in Salt Lake Citt Utah. It's one of the National Health Institute recognized cancer treatment and research center and is associated with University of Utah Hospital. I can get you more information if you would like.

[billy1950 in reply to Maleko808]

Maleko808,

I'll look into it...did you go to any particular doc?

[Maleko808 in reply to billy1950]

I am seeing Neeaj Agarwal. The team he has around him is outstanding.

[dlestercarlson in reply to billy1950]

Huntsman is in Salt Lake City Utah. It is the Huntsman Cancer Institute where they both treat people with cancer and do research. Jon Huntsman, who had prostate cancer and is a billionaire donated the money to open this facility.