The News of My Expiration is Greatly Exaggerated

[monte1111]

March 6, 2017, doctor got right to the point. You have Stage IV Prostate cancer. You have one and a half years to live, maybe two and a half years if you undergo chemo. As I had had a skeletal event (fractured back, getting up from couch - T12 50% compression fracture), extensive bone mets including spine, ribs, pelvis, skull, etc, and abdominal lymph nodes), was advised to get my affairs in order, and doctor and LCSW shook heads at information that I lived alone, I left in a dismal, bleak mood. After a week, I began to tell those who I thought should know the prognosis, and to try and distill my affairs into a few pieces of paper. After two and a half years, I am still here. I give all the credit to the Lupron, Chemo, Xgeva, Xtandi, etc. and a couple of supplements (maybe). The Xtandi run will someday end, but I really think I have a couple of years, at least, after that. Who knows? What is my point? Some doctors are using out of date info to forecast expiration dates. Live for today. Enjoy!

[NPfisherman]

Congratulations, monte1111..... Predicting life expectancy is tricky business indeed.... Keep fighting, brother.... Best of luck...

Don Pescado

[monte1111 in reply to NPfisherman]

Thank you, Don Pescado. Those who bring knowledge and light to this forum are greatly appreciated.

[whatsinaname]

Congratulations, monte1111.

I am surprised you even took the 1.5/2.5 year thing seriously. You could have kicked the bucket in 0.5 year or less But, as you rightly said, the drugs worked for you.

May you live a very happy life. More than longitude, its happiness that counts.

Your friend, Carlos.

[monte1111 in reply to whatsinaname]

Thank you so much Carlos. Last I knew you were probably taking a trip to Germany. If so, I do hope you find success there. Cheers.

[whatsinaname in reply to monte1111]

The Germany thing will take a bit of time. Maybe, 3/4 months before all formalities are completed.

Thank you for your good wishes, monte1111.

All the very best to you.

[Hidden]

Monte, that darn couch .. When we are weakened just getting up or off the couch or bed can injure us .. I passed my original expectation date six months ago . Let’s keep proving them wrong .. I can imagine that many a patient has said to themselves “ well ? The experts say that I’m done ,then I’m done!” .... correctomundo compadre! Live for today.. Peace monte

[whatsinaname in reply to Hidden]

I may prove them wrong as well.

On the 18th of February, 2018, I was "given" 3 years to live.

That means I kick the bucket on the 18th of Feb., 2021.

Somehow, cannot see myself going that long. Still almost 18 months to go

Cheers, Lulu700.

[Hidden in reply to whatsinaname]

I can see you going much longer ... The important thing for me is to find peace of mind and acceptance of all the BS attached ..I’m working on healing my spirit in all of this . The flesh is weak and is a disappointment .. I want you around to see a better day ..Start telling yourself and seeing yourself being healed ...there is power in this . Like the little train that could .. I think I can I think I can . If you tell yourself anything often enough you might just find it come true .. I pray for you to get a break ... take care man ...

[whatsinaname in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much, Lulu700.

[Hidden in reply to whatsinaname]

Thanks for listening to my bs .. hang in there dude.. Peace ..

[monte1111 in reply to whatsinaname]

I know prayers and quacks are not on the top of your list. I'm sure you will be around in 18 months just to irritate some of your relatives. I've already lived longer than all of the relatives I irritated. Surprise, surprise. Enjoy some of the delicious food you have, and two scoops of chocolate chip ice cream a la j-o-h-n.

[whatsinaname in reply to monte1111]

Thank you, monte1111.

Yes, that's a good one. Live longer to irritate ones relatives

[monte1111 in reply to Hidden]

I want to say great Scott. But that makes me think of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I can't quit laughing and thinking of good times I had. Yes Sir, let's keep proving that two plus two equals eight. You two enjoy those western sunsets.

[Hidden]

Let’s bend the math in our favor .. have you cooled down yet out there? The best skies I’ve seen yet out our window .. Take care monte .. I’m going to ride this cart until the wheels fall off . Peace young man ..

[Hidden]

Congratulations!. I was diagnosed almost exactly the same day as you were so I can celebrate with you as we are the same "cancer age" haha. Here's to living! 🍾 🎉

[monte1111 in reply to Hidden]

Yes. Here's to living! Enjoy that dream house. You deserve it.

[Hidden in reply to monte1111]

Thanks! I'm going up soon.

[Kaliber]

Rite on brother ...rite on ... we got this. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon 👍👍👍

[monte1111 in reply to Kaliber]

Rite on. Stay on the Xtandi ride as long as possible. 0.1 is always good!

[Shooter1]

Yep, stage 4, Gleason 9/10, 12-18 mo. That was 2 1/2 years ago for me too. Lupron till orchiectomy after RARP to remove mother ship. Taxatere (9cycles) ,Xtandi now and PSA down to 0.130 from 53 at surgery and 63 at 6 week checkup. 80 mg dose all I can stand.

Let's keep those Drs. guessing wrong...live long and enjoy life.

LuLu700, happy in Idaho and still bending the math.

[monte1111 in reply to Shooter1]

Yes. Live long and prosper. Doctor's don't take math classes. Just salesmanship and how to talk people into doing things they don't want to do.

[snoraste]

You have a long way to go yet ....

[monte1111 in reply to snoraste]

Thanks. Hopefully we all have a long way to go yet. And I do hope that the young people actually find a cure along the way.

[ctarleton]

Except for spinal bone pain instead of a fracture, I had a similar very metastatic original diagnosis in Nov 2013, with a ridiculous PSA of 5,006. I feel humble, lucky, and grateful still to be here almost 6 years later.

Charles

[monte1111 in reply to ctarleton]

Yes, I almost feel like I was gifted a few more years to get everything right. Almost like It's A Wonderful Life. Your 5,006 PSA beats my 59.9 PSA hands down. I also feel humble, lucky, and grateful on this first day of my new life. Best of luck to you Sir.

Monte

[j-o-h-n]

Well monte1111 I'll cut to the chase whatever the hell that means... You know I admire your humor and outlook at life...You have made my time here a joy and a laughable one... So cut the bullshit cause you'll be around for a very very long time. Remember only the good die young. So if we ever meet in personal I promise you that I will let you have half of my daily ration of chocolate chip ice cream, one scoop for me and one scoop for you. Man what i don't do for humanity....Bless me...(you too)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 09/08/2019 11:30 PM DST

[Tommyj2]

I think it its great that you are enjoying life...Rib eye with onions does sound appealing : )

I would not be were I in your circumstances.....particularly living alone. Do you have people that you can call on if you need assistance with something?? The older I get the more I worry about living alone....

[monte1111 in reply to Tommyj2]

I do have some people, some near, some far. Original interview with MO just instilled unnecessary fear in me. Living alone does have its challenges. Changes may have to be made down the road, but the future is so obscure, I just enjoy each day as I can. I hope you are coping well. Having people in your life is important. My wife used to say "Monte, don't get mad. It doesn't do any good." Worrying is the same. It doesn't do any good. Hope you enjoy this day.

[greatjohn]

My best friend, before he died, used to say frequently... (quoting his father)

"I'm going to live until I die"

I think of that saying often.😊

[TheTopBanana]

Congratulations!! And side note but I love the humor in your posts /a new fan