recurrence - the road is about to get rocky again

[GranPaSmurf]

My prostate cancer has been largely unnoticed for the last three years other than bicalutamide daily. And frequent PSA monitoring. Then the PSA went from undetectable to 1.1. then, in another month, it's over 8. the bone scan shows 2 areas that are likely metastasis. The medical oncologist has ordered Relugolix ($875/month for a lifetime! we're negotiating that). The Radiology Oncologist ordered an Axumin PET scan. I haven't talked to Medicare about that one yet. I'll post updates. (please pray for us)

[Javelin18]

I will pray for you and your family. It sounds like there are only a couple of spots outside the prostate, so radiation of them may be a good option. I hope they're able to get it under control quickly.

[GranPaSmurf in reply to Javelin18]

Thank you; hopefully, it is only 2. The Radiology Oncologist has asked for the Auxum scan to get the highest resolution possible. Thanks for your prayers.

[Tall_Allen]

Relugolix are pills that are only covered by your drug plan, and are expensive. Shots like Lupron or Firmagon are given in your doctor's office and are covered by Medicare Part B. If you have a supplemental plan, it is fully covered.

On top of that, he may want to add abiraterone, which costs $187/mo. on GoodRx at RiteAid or give you a set of 6 docetaxel infusions, which are covered under Part B.

goodrx.com/abiraterone

Let us know what the Axumin PET/CT shows.

[GranPaSmurf in reply to Tall_Allen]

You bet! I got a yesterday that the office was working on the paperwork for the manufacturer for no charge medication.

[V10fanatic in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am in the process of shopping around for a Medigap plan, and all the plans appear to show that Lupron has a monthly cost- as high as $550 in the "initial" phase. Am I misunderstanding the way the costs are calculated??

[Tall_Allen in reply to V10fanatic]

Lupron is covered completely by Part B and your Medigap plan. Injections given by doctors are not covered the way pills are (Part D).

[V10fanatic in reply to Tall_Allen]

So, my Xgeva should be fully paid for as well. That's very good news!

[GranPaSmurf in reply to V10fanatic]

not quite what you asked, but FYI- when I was first diagnosed, I was in a panic about high-dollar treatment. I got a policy that cost me about$350/month. I had it for 2 years and finally concluded that everything I had done would have been covered by my Medicare Advantage plan, with a reasonable co-pay. I'm back to a UnitedHealthcare advantage plan that suits my expenses well.. well, until this recent adventure😮...actually it's called a chronic complete HMO plan.

[Lyubov]

Some prescription drug makers will provide a considerable reduction. It requires that you have "commercial" or "private sector' health insurance. They won't do it if you're only on Medicare or Medicaid.

[GranPaSmurf in reply to Lyubov]

Oops! Fingers crossed. Only Medicare.

[Lyubov in reply to GranPaSmurf]

Starstation has a program that could work for you! Good luck!

[Starstation]

I am on Orgovyx for about three months now...you can go to their website and they have a generous patient support plan....you can apply for financial assistance. Bottom line is if your Soc Security Statement shows you earning less than $73K a year you will get it for free.Ask your provider about this...they can advocate for you as well.

And...btw, Orgovyx has been very effective and relatively well tolerated...some transient hot flushes and some fatigue......but drops PSA and T in a hurry.

Good luck.

[GranPaSmurf in reply to Starstation]

Thanks! At this point the oncologist office is doing the paperwork. I got a call from them yesterday.We're living on 2 social security checks - we should be well under the cut-off level.

[GranPaSmurf]

Thanks Nal, PSA has been tested frequently, I guess because the Medical Oncologist, the Radiation Oncologist and the Primary care doctor, all order it before a visit. After I get past this crisis, I should be able to monitor it at least monthly.Thanks again for responding.

[j-o-h-n]

Prayers for you on the way to the Maker...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 05/26/2022 11:26 PM DST

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

Hey John!Remember the TV show, The Jefferson's? Lately, I've been sorta' singing a part of their theme song - "headed on up to my de-lux apartment in the sky" My Sunday School class gets it. There are several octogenarians like me that remember the show. (just don't ask any of us what we had for breakfast)

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

How true......Remember that the de-lux apartment was after "moving on up, to the East side"......

Good Prayers to you.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 05/27/2022 1:47 PM DST

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

Naw doesn't say 'east side.' I refuse to accept that. Only a brain past its 'use by' date would accept that. Nope. My translation is Southern Baptist cannon. At least to me.

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

If you're Southern Baptist then you must have been taught to respect older people...Nuff' said

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 05/27/2022 5:57 PM DST

[j-o-h-n]

Geezamacripe, You got me humming that song now...... I can't stop.....THANKS ALOT PARTNER!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 05/27/2022 2:45 PM DST

[GranPaSmurf]

OK, hum the lyrics to 'small world' once. Betcha' can't do just once. BTW, some of these lyrics could be my theme song after a couple of years of ADT.It's a world of laughter,

A world of tears.

It's a world of hopes,

And a world of fears.

There's so much that we share,

That it's time we're aware,

It's a small world after all.

Chorus:

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small, small world.

[j-o-h-n]

Ok I give up!!! I'm starting to collect all my meds for that big day,,,,

youtube.com/watch?v=iJFGAX7...(Not working as expected?)

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 05/27/2022 5:53 PM DST