Going to University of Heidelberg for AC-225 and LU-177 fourth treatment and the chance of getting virus

[lewicki]

At the age of 79 and my desire to get the finale treatment ( PSA now at .2 )

do I risk getting the virus ? My thoughts are that it is a great time to get additional treatment in hope of controlling the cancer,

[tango65]

I believe there is an increased risk of getting the virus when one is in a confined space with a lot of people for several hours. You need to consider your age, which put you in a high risk group (between 15 to 20% mortality). At the same time, I do not know if there are data showing outbreaks caused by flying.

Are you planning to go or you already have everything arranged?

Best of luck with this journey.!!

[lewicki in reply to tango65]

Thanks for your opinion. All is planned to go on July 7. The airlines claim to disinfect after each flight and change the air in the plane every three minutes. Also, masks required and only every other seat is occupied.

[tango65 in reply to lewicki]

It seems a good plan, particularly if they renew the air frequently. Recirculation of the air could disseminate the virus, but changing the air every 3 minutes avoids this problem.

Best of luck with your treatment!!

[GP24]

The risk to get a Covid infection in Germany is much lower than in the US. However, you may need to be two weeks in quarantine if you get in from the US. So check this first.

[lewicki in reply to GP24]

My daughter is going with me. She will be required to be quarantined while I am at the hospital. Then I will quarantine myself for 14 days back home. I have an unoccupied mother-law area built for her when she lived with us that will keep me away from my wife.

[GP24 in reply to lewicki]

I am afraid you may have difficulties making the trip:

nytimes.com/reuters/2020/06...

[Hidden]

Good Luck lewicki! Do what you’ve got to do . May the Lu-177 help you much . Wonderful your daughter will be with you .. Heidelberg on the river and the castle are beautiful .

[lewicki in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Whimpy-p, Sounds like you were there.

[Hidden in reply to lewicki]

Twice to visit my brother in the army . Good luck and return home safely .

[Fairwind]

What was your PSA when you started the Lu-177 treatment ??

[Hirsch in reply to Fairwind]

Lewicki is keeping us in suspense

[lewicki in reply to Fairwind]

It was 265. But this was it coming down from 747 because of ceasing the ESK981 trial I was on that failed and two sets of Chemo. After three trips PSA is 0.2. Did PSA today results in two days.

[TeleGuy]

You risk catching the virus every time you leave the house; you have to balance the risk of catching the virus vs. not going for your next treatment. If you lose the progress you have probably made, there is a cost and risk to that.

I am currently in Munich for Lu-177 treatment, and the whole quarantine situation is changing in a sensible way. Rather than a blanket quarantine on anybody who comes into the country, you only have to quarantine if you come from a risk area. The idea is that if people transit between states that have low risk, there is no need to quarantine. This is the principle by which they opened up the borders between EU countries, and the RKI (German CDC equivalent) is now rating outside countries and US states to qualify whether passengers need to quarantine.

Here's a link to the list of risk areas (and US states), along with a Google Translated one:

rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/N...

translate.google.com/transl...

When you get off the plane you will probably be handed a document titled "Regulations for persons entering Germany in connection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2." The May version calls for a blanket quarantine, but a new June version includes the nuance that I described above. The situation is always changing.

I found on my domestic and international flight that everybody is now behaving and wearing masks, which is a welcome contrast to my last set of flights.

[lewicki in reply to TeleGuy]

You are correct in that I have to continue the treatment to beat this demon.Your information greatly appreciated.

[Gunnershome in reply to TeleGuy]

May I ask where/which clinic you went too? How was the treatment? Gleason? Meds?How are you feeling? My husband is 56, Gleason 10 with mets to bone and liver. Thank you for your reply. Healthy wishes sent your way.

[TeleGuy in reply to Gunnershome]

I have been going to Klinikum Rechts der Isar at Technische Univerität München and it's been a good and successful experience. Fifth treatment was a month ago with a now undetectable PSA and will do an FDG PET this week to see where we are in terms of hot spots. 177Lu-PSMA is not as good for bones as it is for lymph nodes (which is mostly what I have). 225Ac-PSMA may be more helpful but it affects your salivary glands more than the 177Lu. I'm not sure if having a liver met would disqualify you. Answers to your other questions are in my profile. All the best in your search!

[Gunnershome in reply to TeleGuy]

Thank you so much for your reply! I’m going to look into this for my husband. We are willing/and able to travel to Germany.

Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Truly appreciate all you help and info. All the best!!

[lewicki in reply to TeleGuy]

Have you since been tested and how are you doing?

[TeleGuy in reply to lewicki]

I'm really feeling quite fine except for the typical ADT side effects. I cycle and hike and those things are harder these days with weaker muscles and less hemoglobin. But I attribute that more to ADT than to the treatment. I will be doing blood work and a scan this week and will see where we are now. I'm a bit concerned that even though my PSA is down to nothing they still see significant 177Lu-PSMA uptake. So we know that it's still there but is tamped down for the moment.

How did your last trip go?

[lewicki in reply to TeleGuy]

Where do you do the scans. I have an issue at Karmanos and U of M will not do the scans even If I will pay for it since I still have a prostate gland. Dumd but a fact.

[immunity1]

Airlines maintain (correctly??) that their positive pressure ventilation with HEPA filters gives a similar result to a surgical operating suite. However, I would wear a N95 face mask on board and in other high density places. Enjoy the European ambiance.

[lewicki in reply to immunity1]

Thank you.

[pilot52]

Being a commercial pilot I can assure you the air purification system is second to none in pressurized aircraft. I could explain the mechanics but it would take to long...however , remember the days of smoking on flights...we know second hand smoke causes lung cancer so one would think the flight attendants would all be dead now....for those non smokers we used to aim air vent to our face and it was fresh,,,,,,that's right ....at 33,000 feet it is compressed and put through the cabin.....Blue Skies, Sky King and Penny (woof)

[lewicki in reply to pilot52]

Never thought about the personal on the plane and second hand smoke. Thanks

[Rexwaterbury]

You’re safer in Germany than you are in the US. If your stay is only a few days in Germany, there is no need to quarantine there.

[lewicki in reply to Rexwaterbury]

Getting there 7/8 leaving on 7/12. Should be OK. Thanks

[Nesrine]

Lewicki

May I ask you, how much the treatment costs you in Germany? And how long do you hv to stay and the overall cost for the whole one trip? I am now trying to see if I continue in Germany or in India. Can u pls help

[lewicki in reply to Nesrine]

I choose the University of Heidelberg only because I thought that my chances were better there than elsewhere. There are less expensive places in Germany but not that much. It turns out that the University actually developed the program. The hospital charge is around $10,000 and there the cost of the hotel room transportation Frankfort to Heidelberg meals and airplane cost. Approx another 10,000 .I add two days to relax before treatment. Also, the University does both AV-225 and LU-177.

[Gunnershome]

Hi, we are interested in traveling to Europe for treatment options for my husband. Have you been to this particular Center before? We were considering Paracelsus in Switzerland.

Can I ask your stage, Gleason, what other treatments you have had? I have never heard of the AC225 or LU177. I can google it....but if you could share your personal experience I would greatly appreciate it. All the best.

[lewicki in reply to Gunnershome]

Glad to help. My PSA was 747 during the ESK981 trial I did that failed. It went to 265 after two chemo treatments. Treatment started at 265. PSA is now 0.2. I choose the University of Heidelberg only because I thought they would be best. They were not the cheapest. In the Middle. Come to find out they were the ones that developed the program six or so years ago. It is an injection of the radioactive material that attacks the cancer. Actinium 225 and Lithium 177. Heidelberg was never bombed in WW11 , so you see it as is. Stage four metastatic Gleason 7. I have been there three times. Hope next is last.

[Gunnershome in reply to lewicki]

Thank you so much for your help/info. My husband is 56. Diagnosed almost 2 years ago. Gleason 10. We just started chemo as the ADT stopped working. Looking for options for him. Thank you so much for your help. Wishing you continued good health.

[lewicki]

Later today I will respond with information. Doctors to see this morning.

[Pinstripes]

I have the same fears anytime I go to any medical facility. Stay safe what ever you decide.

[lewicki in reply to Pinstripes]

It appears that Germany has closed the us travel .

Hope they allow for medical reasons. There is about 250000 people going to Germany yearly for medical. Big source of income for them.

Now I am trying to find out if I will be able to go. I was scheduled back in January then it hit the fan. If I do not go in July I will have to wait till September because the AC-225 is limited and is available only every other month.

[Gunnershome]

Hi....I’m curious to know if you were able to fly back to Germany fir treatment and now you are doing?

Also, I’m curious what/if any treatments they may also do besides the AC-225 or the LU177?

[lewicki in reply to Gunnershome]

Was able to arrange to go and return. If you are going to Germany for health reasons ,have German doctors letter that you must get the treatment. Terminal. Get Virus test not older than 48 hours you than can go. Flight there was full, return flight was maybe 30 percent.

Germany gets a good amount of money from Americans going to their Klinics.

I think reason for allowing Americans to come to Germany. There are I am sure other medical procedures in Germany available.

[Gunnershome in reply to lewicki]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m glad you were able to make the trip and revive the treatment. How are you feeling?

What is the follow up plan that they gave you? I’m assuming new scans and bloodwork here and then sent to them for review? Do you need to go back in a few weeks/months for an additional treatment?

Did you have extensive mets before you went? Sorry for so many questions, but we “almost” went to Paracelsus in Switzerland last year....but my husband’s PC was “stable” at the time....so we decided not to go. Now, the beast is growing and we are scrambling. Thank you in advance.

[lewicki in reply to Gunnershome]

I am felling good . A little expected fatigue.Will be doing requested blood work and scan to Germany. You send all to the International Office which is forwarded to doctors. The I O are very fluent in English. I did have mets in liver, kidney , lymph nodes in groin and mets on my sternum. All mets are gone except for 2 small in lymp nodes after the third treatment and expect the fourth treatment to eliminate them. My PSA after three treatments is 0.6

Lowest it has been in 25 years. Choose the University of Heidelberg only because i thought I would get a good shot at the disease. Price is in the middle of the others and they were the ones I later discovered to be the ones who developed this.

[Gunnershome in reply to lewicki]

Unbelievable!!! You give me hope for my husband!! I know you mentioned your Gleason was/is lower I believe? 7 I believe? My husband is a Gleason 10? It’s Neuroendocrine. We need to find something that will kick his thing. I’m willing to travel anywhere. Do you see the same Dr there? Do you have one you would recommend? My husband starts his second round of chemo tomorrow. I will call there/email there this week.

We have two young kids. I’m not giving up nor is he.

Thank you again for all of your help and info. You are an inspiration! 🤗👍

[lewicki in reply to Gunnershome]

I did two chemos in March than did treatment in June last year. You first see The head of the department . ,Dr Haberkorn. Dr Creactowill and a doctor Winter.

Contact International Operations for all communications. They speak excellent .

English.

You will need the virus test negative no more than 48 hours old. Letter from the hospital and a letter from your primary doctor to allow you as an aid to help your sick husband. All needed for customs