So it’s been almost 4 years since I was diagnosed with aggressive G9 PCa. Surgery, adjuvant RT and ADT, then more RT after recurrence in a handful of pelvic LNs. Been on ADT and Zytiga for 11 months to hopefully cleanup anything that may remain. PSA has been undetectable since the treatment for recurrence began last January. All things considered, I feel great and am hopeful that that just maybe we got it this time.
But, occasionally I would slip into the “why me” frame of mind...until 3 weeks ago today. It was then that I received a call in the middle of the night from my 38 year old son who had gone to the emergency room for pain in his calf. They diagnosed a DVT and several blood clots in his lungs - all from leukemia (ALL). Two days later he began the first of 8 rounds of intensive chemo. After round 2 next week he’s off to MD Anderson to discuss a bone marrow transplant.
No more feeling sorry for myself, he’s endured more in 3 weeks than I have in 4 years. I’m hoping my situation remains good, but I’m much more concerned with his prospects than my own.
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shueswim
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I'm so sorry to hear this. It doesn't pre-empt your own tribulations, but only adds to them. To me, the only thing worse than my suffering, is the suffering of someone I love.
So, sorry to hear this news! My prayers go out to your son and the entire family!
Question, are they blood clots or tumors?? Reason I ask is why chemotherapy and bone marrow? I ask because I just attended a lecture with a Dr. Levine from U of P about the breakthrough he made with CAR-T cells in patients that are now cancer free from leukemia cancer. It’s an approved clinical trial. If you need more information let me know!
No, they are, or were, clots. The medications have resolved those, now he “only” has to take care of the cancer in his blood. It’s pretty intimidating to hear it described as billions of liquid tumors. The good news is that ALL can be beaten. This particular kind of leukemia rarely hit people in his age group - mostly children and seniors 65+. The cure rate for kids is 90+%, seniors are more like 20%. He’s young and fit so I’m hoping his chances tilt more to the kids %.
Dr. Bruce Levine and Tom Whitehead, Treating the Untreatable: Cancer and Gene Therapy. Dr. Levine is the Founding Director of the Clinical Cell and Vaccine Production Facility in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and has overseen the production, testing, and release of 3,000 cellular products administered to more than 1,200 patients in clinical trials since 1996. Tom Whitehead is the co-founder of the Emily Whitehead Foundation which raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer immunotherapy research, and is father of Emily, who was the first pediatric patient in to the world to receive CAR-T cell therapy.
Additionally, we are happy to share with you a link to a recent and important New York Times article, " Crispr Takes Its First Steps in Editing Genes to Fight Cancer” nytimes.com/2019/11/06/heal...
Just wanted you to have this information. It’s truly a miracle that this has made many patients cancer free. He even has a 70 yr old patient that was cancer free. Prayers, positive thoughts and wishes for 100% cure for your son. Please take care of yourself as well.
You will both be ok. You did the right thing and so did your son. Why are we so self involved over a body given to us by a (?) who knows how its supposed to work? I never saw the word Doctor in front of a Saints name or Gods name. Its Gods temple not yours.
We are the recipient of an errant disease but we are intelligent enough to see it and treat it.
We sort it out and with PCa you have the best chance of survival. Many younger persons survive cancer so its possible that an immune system will rally when supported by the right treatment. Once the new marrow kicks in he will be safe and healthy again.
I also had a GS 9. It was false. But no one agreed to it except the creator of the GS Dr Donald Gleason. I am 15 years after DX and I am ok...Thanks To God. I did 3xADT for about 18 months in 2004 to 2005. PSA now of 3.18. On 5 mg of Finasteride daily.
My best wishes for your son and for you. Hopefully your son will beat his cancer early and get on to enjoy his young life... Remember, God is on his and your side....
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