Such a shock to get this diagnosis

[Brodie13]

My husband has just turned 70 and has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostrate cancer. He has been on hormone therapy for nearly 3 months and looks like radiation will be commencing very soon. His has a large tumour on his spine and lots of smaller ones plus small ones throughout his body but not on any organs just his bones.

Drs thought he just had an enlarged prostrate but unfortunately a lot worse than that . He is a very strong man,

only a small amount of pain in his hip, plays golf, walks. does the garden etc. PSA was 27 & Gleason score 9.

He also has kidney disease & operating on 12% and is well

but this is decreasing his treatment options.

We are in Australia so a lot of the treatments spoken about here are very foreign to me.

I would love to hear from any of you who are in a similar position especially those with kidney disease.

[Hidden]

Welcome Brodie13! I know that shock . I was 4+4 but t- 4 meant major uro problems for me . . You’ve found a good place to be his advocate . My brothers name is Brodie and he’s 71 but has no pc . I’m the youngest of four boys and the only one to get it . Dad had this .. I was beyond surgery over six yrs ago . I got dxed after a week in the icu . Pc tumors had shut down my urethra and bladder causing k failure . They installed tubes into my back and a foley . I was 53 then .. the good news for me was imrt Lupron and a test adt drug( now not available ) put me clear over five years now . I did much vitamin c ivs and adhered to a stick naturalpathic diet and nutrition plan . So the Rt and adt can work . I was seriously altered and couldn’t do a lot so my muscle then bones and joints went south . Over six years no t for me . He’s a strong man . We are all weakened some less than others . With your love and caring he can do as well as anyone . Keeping his morale and cheering him up is crucial to healing during and after treatments . Having you to keep his spirits up helps greatly . My wife married me two weeks after dx . It’s her love that has saved me .. he has you ,and now you have us . There is always somewhere here that was or is in your exact same shoes . We have many wife’s and even children here for there dads . I welcome you . Please Dont feed into bad stats or any dismal people , doctors or not . I feel it is a miracle that so many of us are here years after dx . I pray for the best outcome ……Love each other 🙏❤️

[6357axbz in reply to Hidden]

Nice response LuLu

[Brodie13 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Lulu700. Love that there are so many positive stories being shared. My best wishes to you and your journey.

[Tall_Allen]

The latest for newly diagnosed polymetastatic PCa is a combination of docetaxel and abiraterone.:

prostatecancer.news/2021/05...

[Brodie13 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you so much for that information

[Poowater in reply to Tall_Allen]

Agree.

[Shooter1]

Mine was docetaxel and xtandi.... now abiraterone is advice instead.. working on year 5 and doing well.

[Rolphs in reply to Shooter1]

Thanks for sharing that. Just completed docetaxel and I think will move to ADT Apalutamide. New to forum and really learning a lot.

[Shooter1 in reply to Rolphs]

Sounds like a good plan . Good luck. This forum has been a life saver for many of us..well maybe just a life extender, only time will tell...

[GP24]

I would see Prof. Murphy petermac.org/users/prof-dec...

[Brodie13 in reply to GP24]

Hi there, are you undergoing treatment under him? This is all new to us. Currently under Drs at Icon Cancer Centre at John Fawkner Hospital.

[GP24 in reply to Brodie13]

I know him because he has made many presentations around the world. Last time I saw him at Basel, Switzerland. My suggestion is that you talk to him and see what therapy he suggests. He works with Dr. Hofman at the nuclear medicine department and they may be able to provide a therapy for your husband John Fawkner does not offer. I think " large tumour on his spine" is very bad and this should be radiated one way or another soon.

[Brodie13 in reply to GP24]

Thank you so much for that. I will certainly look into it.

[Hidden]

All the very best on this road, from across the ditch❤

[Balsam01]

With a Gleason 9, I would think genomic testing would be appropriate to look for mutations like BRCA2, ATM some of which may be treatable.

[Ausi]

Hi Brodie, there are a number of trials being carried out here which could be appropriate.

australiancancertrials.gov.au

Good luck

[Brodie13 in reply to Ausi]

Thank you so much for that link!

[Ausi in reply to Brodie13]

I’ve used radiation over the past 3 years and responded well, for me, there are usually a couple of spots highlighted from a PET scan and PSA is about 15, after 30 days of zapping they have been wacked and PSA drops to about 1.8.Hopefully the hormone treatment (ADT)he’s on knocks out the small ones. His Oncologist may put him on second line hormone treatment eg Abiraterone or Enzalutamide as well. Tall Allen’s recommendation may be better.

[Brodie13 in reply to Ausi]

Thank you for connecting with me.Kidney disease is causing a lot of hurdles re medication & treatment but appt with oncologist this afternoon will hopefully shed some light.

[Ausi in reply to Brodie13]

Hope it goes well

[j-o-h-n]

Shock is the correct word............. Now it's time to put on your garden gloves and go through all the information regarding Pca. It's not pleasant but it's not a death sentence. It's just a new and different way of surviving. Stay with us, post, ask questions and I know this may sound foolish but be happy (smile and laugh). Take care and fight the beast!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 10/27/2021 10:59 PM DST

[Brodie13 in reply to j-o-h-n]

That is all so true. Thank you so much, I am amazed at the feedback I have had. You are all truly inspirational.