Its been a week since Jeff had the tumor removed from his brain. He looks and sounds great. I’m so in awe by his courageous nature and good spirits.
Jeff had labs today, but we don’t see a doctor until tomorrow.
You may recall Dec 2020, Jeff’s PSA started at 950, never got below 237 before it started trending up again and it continued to climb for 3 months. It finally dropped to 310 in July and then to our utter delight and surprise it was 45.3 at the end of August.
Today PSA has risen again to 66.8.
While Jeff was in the hospital for brain surgery, they withheld the Zytiga/Prednisone.
Is it possible or likely that 2 days off Zytiga would cause a spike in Jeff’s PSA?
We got such a grim prognosis after Jeff was dx with brain mets. However, his PSA had significantly decreased and the comparison MRIs showed that both of his brain tumors had shrunk.
It’s hard not to cling to believing the Zytiga is in him and doing its job better than anyone ever expected.
Please note, we are living for today and for every wonderful, feel good moment. Together, Jeff and I focus on the here and now and Jeff continues to plan for the future.
I’m addressing my personal fears and concerns. Any insight you are able to give me on Jeff’s circumstances, I would appreciate.
#teamjeffgallagher
~ Stephanie
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I have no knowledge of what you might expect, but I’ll just say you should(now) be relishing in the joy that the brain surgery went so smoothly and that he’s doing so well at this moment. Wishing you both the best.
I really tried to convey that I am thrilled with how Jeff is doing now. Not only recovery from his surgery, but in general. He truly seems to be doing so well.
My questioning disappointing labs doesn’t negate my joy over all the good news and his remarkable recovery from brain surgery.
As I noted, I’m addressing my personal fears/concerns, not what Jeff and I focus on.
This APC is overhanging you all and not a nice character to us .. I was 53 upon dx. I’m pulling for our young guy to survive this. There is no coating the severity of his position. But with love anything is possible. Keep doing what you’re doing . Caring for a sick man is his blessing right here right now . God bless you him and the kids. ❤️🙏🙏🙏😩
Don’t let the PSA numbers rule your life you and he are extraordinary survivors. Those who honor life and the days you share together. Congratulations on coming through brain surgery with such a victory that can never be taken away. Only honored.
Is he not on Lupron as well ? Is he only on Zytiga? I don't think Zytiga sticks around very long so hypothetically it might cause a dip after a couple days if its the only thing holding back the cancer. Smarter people than me will know more but I agree that your appreciating each day for regardless of highs and lows is a wonderful energy for Jeff to share, along with that new puppy. TA has said many times once there's metastases PSA is less important because we aren't treating PSA.
Jeff still gets Eligard injections and is taking Zytiga/Prednisone.
We saw Dr. Kwon today. Jeff’s comparison MRIs showed his brain tumors had shrunk significantly.
Although the rise in PSA was noted, Dr. Kwon said the shrinking of the tumors override the rise numbers. The Zytiga appears to be doing what it’s supposed to be doing and in the area they are most concerned about, his brain.
In early October, Jeff will be restaged. He’s scheduled to have a PET scan and Dr. Kwon ordered an abdominal MRI.
Dr. Kwon said we should leave treatment as it is until after restaging. We’ll move forward with changes (if needed) once we know results of scans.
Jeff actually stopped taking the Zytiga for 5 days. I asked Dr. Kwon if that could have caused the spike in Jeff’s PSA numbers. I’m just realizing he never answered my question directly. It was then he explained the shrinking of the tumors told them more than what the PSA numbers were telling them.
Jeff’s alkaline phosphate dropped a great deal. It’s still too high, but the numbers reflected a dramatic decrease.
Thank you so much for your input, I appreciate your response.
Oh, I almost forgot! Mattie (Jeff’s new puppy) is already a daddy’s girl and she’s spoiled rotten. She has definitely picked him as her most favorite human. Jeff said when he has to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, if he’s gone for more than 2 minutes, Mattie starts wailing for him to come back. 😂
Jeff got her a little bed to sleep in, but she insists on being snuggled along his side with his arm draped over her or, Jeff’s new “fav”, she snuggles right beside his head, her body cupping his face. I got super tickled over that, but also wondered if the latter position is due to his surgery owie or illness.
She’s still so very young, but dogs are intuitive and generally smart. Whether it’s true or not, I gain comfort thinking this is how tiny Mattie is “taking care” of Jeff. ❤️🐾
Great news all the way around. I've been at war for six years, and so far, only mets has been to pelvic lymph nodes. Your husband is a brave dude, and I wish him more positive outcomes.....and to you too.
You have a great Doctor so try to stop worrying over PSA numbers! At a point in treatment other things are looked at! We are in 5th year and PSA over 500 hard not to look at it but treatment at moment not going to move it up or down much! Enjoy your days together thats what is important! Congrats on puppy! We got one 1 1/2 years ago Best treatment ever! God Bless
66 is a far fall from 950… looking and sounding good is wonderful ..this pc is so intrusive on him. Mattie is spunky I’d assume. Lots of pup energy .. Hang in dear lady.. The best thing is he is surrounded by love.. I believe in and am praying for miracles .. Stephanie you are a wonder . He has much to live for. Prayers and more prayers always🙏🙏🐕❤️
PSA is a marker. In his case I would not worry about it so much . But easy to say .Obviously everything is a worry . How could we not worry . His general condition and how he feels is all important now. I am personally appalled by such a young man in such peril with APC. It ain’t fair .Im super pissed off . At 53 I was tossed on my head. My life overturned. At his age I can’t fathom this ?? Everything and anything done in love is correct always. Hang in there baby , hang in mr Jeff! 👏🏼
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