Five Year Survivor - WooHoo!!

[ctarleton]

This month I am a 5 year survivor at age 70 after my initial very metastatic diagnosis at age 65 with a PSA of 5,006.

WooHoo!!

And many thanks to all those in local and on-line Prostate Cancer Support Groups who have helped me so much along the way.

Charles

[YostConner]

Let’s keep those years coming!

[Dan59]

Congratulations Charles, I wish you many more years.

[tango65]

Congratulations!!! Are you still on Xtandi?

[ctarleton in reply to tango65]

Yes, still on Xtandi, after 24 months of it.

[tango65 in reply to ctarleton]

Great!! I hope you could stay in Xtandi for many more.!!

[MontyB]

Fantastic Charles!! Happy for you.

[ewhite999]

Congratulations! Anything unique about your treatment or diet you can share or was it the standard chemo, provenge, Lupron, Xgeva and Zytiga approach.

[ctarleton in reply to ewhite999]

I think a lot of it has had to do with just some lucky biology and responses. Initial ADT took the PSA down from 5,006 to 1.0. The Provenge around year 2.5 as my PSA was climbing again may have some effect, but who knows? The added Xtandi 24 months ago brought PSA back down from 95.0 to 1.2 again, and it around 2.2 now. I'm on no "special" diets.

[JamesAtlanta]

Congratulations! A wonderful achievement! Wishing you many, many more happy years to come!

James

[whatsinaname]

Congratulations, ctarleton !!!

What is the one thing that has helped you over the last 5 years ?

Is it a) prayer b) diet c) exercise d) cancer drugs e) excellent MO f) luck g) any other ??

I ask because I have been told (just a couple of days back) that I have perhaps two years to live and I am very lucky maybe, just maybe five. That too, after taking ALL possible treatments currently available.

Would love to hear from you, if you so choose. Thank you.

[ctarleton in reply to whatsinaname]

I'd say the thing that has helped me most over the last 5 years has been the emotional/social support from my loving spouse/caregiver and some local support groups that I/we attend. Yes, I've had some luck with treatments/responses, and the benefit of some learned second opinions, but, regardless of how many treatments I may or may not have gone through in this period of time, ... the Healing non-medical stuff seems most important to me.

[whatsinaname in reply to ctarleton]

Thank you, ctarleton, much obliged. Your answer provoked a lot of thought in me and I actually agree with you that the "healing non-medical stuff" is really really important, perhaps, arguably, the most important thing. Thanks very much, ctarleton, much obliged.

[Hidden]

I am a new comer helping my best friend with his new diagnosis. Thank you for your reply to my post . Congratulations to your 5th year. There will be many wonderful and healthy years for you. Enjoy.

[joancarles]

Although we are all different and give different answers. It's the news that helps us continue. Congratulations and I look forward to your celebration of 10 years. Ill stand here

[HOPEFULSPOUSE]

Big congrats! Wishing you many more!

[dockam]

So wonderful to hear great news here, congrats Brother

[Hidden]

Wishing you many more Charles. Thanks for the support and for being such a good friend.

[ctarleton in reply to Hidden]

Right back at Ya, Gregg. Big Lupron Hugs!

[Hidden in reply to ctarleton]

Lupron hugs are the best!

[Hidden in reply to ctarleton]

I hug better, but then the pot belly gets in the way.

[Lagovista2018]

Congratulations. That is a wonderful achievement

[paulofaus]

Congratulations Charles. I am 2.5 years in and I hope to be around at the 5 year mark.

[Nicnatno]

Hey Charles, here's to another 20.

Nick

[Hidden]

Please keep us updated and good luck!!!

Congratulations! Which therapy? How are you doing?

[ctarleton in reply to Hidden]

Lupron "forever", Zometa for bones, did Provenge a few years ago, have been on added Xtandi for two years now. Less energy over time. Background fatigue. Lately, some transient episodes of irregular heart beats & associated medications for that have been worrisome. I also just had a pretty large Mohs surgery for a recently diagnosed melanoma on my forehead. "They got it all." So now I'm back to dealing with only one deadly cancer again. Ha. Ha. I'm doing OK, all things considered. There are still things to laugh about and hugs to share.

[snoraste]

Looking forward to reading your 10yr post!

[Fitzbruce1]

Congratulations! It is very inspiring n gives some of us newbies a great deal of hope!

[ConcernedCaliMom]

WOW!!!! This is so inspiring!!! Way to beat this BEAST!!!

[tallguy2]

Congrats, and Happy Thanksgiving!

[j-o-h-n]

Chuck the 5 year traditional anniversary gift is "wood". So I wish you lots of wood to knock on. Good Going.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 11/19/2018 10:49 PM EST

[GrizzlyMama]

Congratulations! Very encouraging! Thank you for sharing your good news!

[AlanMeyer]

And besides keeping going, you've made a real contribution to men in this and other support groups.

Well done Charles!

[ellie2211]

Congratulations! very inspiring

[erjlg3]

I'm so late Charles but I'm so happy for the 5 year mark! WooHoo!!!! .....that is simply WONDERFUL after such a high psa! You've given back soooo much too! YOU GOT THIS! Keep celebrating life

Most sincere,

🌼Jackie