As a result of some of the helpful comments from fellow warriors I began tracking the blood levels below in addition to my compulsive monthly focus on PSA. The oncologist has had me getting a comprehensive metabolic test every 2 weeks for the first 3 months on Zytiga to see how it affects the kidneys and liver.
I am taking Zytiga 1000 mg per day, 5mg of Prednisone 1 hour after Zytiga all on an empty stomach, Firmagon injections monthly, Metformin, and a cocktail of supplements of my choosing.
I am interpreting these numbers as good indications that cancerous growth has stalled and may even be reversing. There is a part of me that doesn't trust good news as it relates to my experience with this disease.
I reported the data to my family as all good news. My 30-year-old son responded by saying that he knows me well enough to figure that I am often skeptical but I should remember to CELEBRATE the wins.
He is a perceptive young man. It is wise advice. Celebrating progress is what I will do.
Alk/Pho June 6 2018-- 56- April 12, 2019-- 55 May 6-- 84 June 12--149 July 25--84 August 9--79
: Normal 38-126 U/L
ALT June 6, 2018 24: April 12, 2019--14: May 6-- 19: June 12-- 29: July 25--16: August 9-- 17: Normal 17 - 63 U/L
AST June 6, 2018 26: April 12, 2019--15: May 6-- 19: June 12-- 24: July 25--15: August 9-- 20: Normal 15 - 41 U/L
Glucose 101 92 90 96 99 96 Normal 70-99 mg/dl
LD May 6-- 198: June 12-- 170: July 25--110: Normal 120 - 150 U/L
PSA
April 12, 2019--5.8: May 6-- 47.6: June 12-- 13.3: July 25--6.3: August 9-- 6.5: August 26--4.9
A high level ofalkaline phosphatase in the blood is common among bone metastasis patients. When abnormal bone tissue is being formed by cancer cells, levels of alkaline phosphatase increase. Therefore, high levels of this enzyme could suggest that a patient has bone metastasis.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mostly in the cells of the liver and kidney. Much smaller amounts of it are also found in the heart and muscles. This test measures the level of ALT in the blood.
A high AST level is a sign of liver damage, but it can also mean you have damage to another organ that makes it, like your heart or kidneys.M
LDH (or LD) stands for lactate dehydrogenase. LDH is an enzyme that is found in almost all body cells. However, very little LDH is usually in the blood. More LDH is found in the blood when cells are damaged or destroyed. This can mean that cancer or another disease is destroying cells in the body.
I now watch all of these levels carefully. I consider them all to be potential early indications and signs of activity. My retrospective small sample looks like confirmation. In April, May, and June bad shit was happening. LD and ALK especially. You should forgive the expression, now there appears to be some good shit happening. I believe that, for me, being on top of it got me to the right doctors far in advance of the time they would have started to pay attention.
The trends are my friends.
There are a lot of people on this site to thank for helping me in every way. Through good news and bad.
The words Thank You always seem inadequate, but it is all I got.
Thank you, each and everyone who shares.
Roller Coaster
Update after a year on vacation
mCSPC vs mCRPC? Does my MO have it right?
I'm new here. Introducing myself.
1 year on Zytiga
