Wanted to say Hi to the Community

[Wolfee53]

 I just joined Health Unlocked looking to share information with other members. I have stage 4 Prostrate cancer diagnosed Jan 2021. Gleason score 9, (4 + 5). Treatment has been 45 sessions of radiation combined with an Elligard injection every 6 months and 1000 MG of Zytega per day. See Oncologist every 3months, so far PSA has been undetectable. Great to have a place to ask questions and share information.

[Darryl Partner]

Welcome. Just as an FYI, this is a Malecare community. Healthunlocked is just the platform we use.

[Wolfee53 in reply to Darryl]

Thanks

[Wolfee53 in reply to Wolfee53]

Happy to be part of the MaleCare community!!

[Kaliber in reply to Darryl]

Oooops sorry if this is caused by me ( the hint being the healthUnlocked thing ) … you might see a few new faces. The group they should be in will get sorted out.

[6357axbz]

Are you metastatic? If so where are your Mets?

[Wolfee53 in reply to 6357axbz]

Nothing showed up on the scans, but they said it was in the lymphnodes just outside the prostate, he called it regionalized. That's why they recommended 45 sessions of radiation. I pray it worked.

[6357axbz in reply to Wolfee53]

Technically you have a curable cancer.

[Cateydid in reply to 6357axbz]

Interesting. My Joe had cancer detected in a few lymph nodes outside the prostate. They called him Stage 4, and incurable. We continue to fight the beast, one higher PSA reading at a time. He’s just had his third of ten chemo treatments. He completed a course of six doses in 2017.

No mets found, but the PSA keeps rising. Still single digits, but had been doubling, which is what prompted this round of chemo again.

Best of care to one and all!

[Wolfee53]

Thanks for the encouraging comment, I read your BIO and sounds like you're having success with your treatment plan, I wish you continued success.

[Tall_Allen]

Welcome. What makes you stage 4?

[Wolfee53 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Gleason score of 9, (4 + 5), regional spread to lymphnodes in pelvis.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Wolfee53]

Sounds like a potentially curative therapy.👍

[London441]

Welcome!

My situation is similar to yours, I’m just a year and a half further along. I call ours stage 3.5, which is unofficial because I made it up. Here’s why:

Oligometastatic is the oncological term, as you may know. The medical definition of ‘few’ mets (the oligo part) is 5 or less.

But this is not clear about one thing: The distinction of whether you have bone mets or lymph nodes mets only. If the mets are confined to the lymph nodes and are in the pelvic region only, this is important because it’s still possible to eradicate the disease entirely, or at least have a good chance to. Understanding that microscopic remnants may hide for years and wake up, even 10-20 years later. This has become my working definition of ‘cure’.

Again, like ‘stage 3.5’ I made it up,

Spot radiation to bone mets can provide pain relief and kill the met but there are almost always more coming.

Anyone feel free to correct me.

Otherwise this, so far, is the difference. Advances in therapy, especially radiation, makes ‘local lymph node confined’ cure possible, and thus preferable. Fortunately for all, the medicine is rapidly evolving. Great luck to you!

[larry_dammit]

Welcome fellow warrior, there’s a lot of great guys here. Good luck as you join our war 🙏🙏🙏

[Dannyboy48]

Welcome my new friend 😊sorry we Have to meet this way but it is what it is. I also was 68 years old when diagnosed with stage 4 PC with three bone Mets in pelvis. No radiation just firmagon every 28 days and exgiva every 28 days. Still on firmagon but had to stop the exgia after two years or so due to dental problems. I am 6+ years now and yes I do have side effects from the Firmagon. The only thing I can say to you is keep smiling stay active and you’re gonna be around for a long long time . By the way my bone Mets went away shortly after being on exgiva . After all this time thank the Lord the cancer has not progressed to anywhere else and no more meds. Good luck to you and keep on smiling a little prayer doesn’t hurt either😊🙏👍🍷🍺🎼

[Wolfee53 in reply to Dannyboy48]

Great job Danny Boy!!

[Scout4answers]

You have found a great source of info about PCa, welcome aboard. Similar diagnosis, just finished 20 sessions of IMRT. I started a serious exercise program based on the encouragement of guys on here and have had very few side effects from the drugs and or radiation.

[Wolfee53 in reply to Scout4answers]

I exercise consistently as well, I think that has also also minimized my side effects

[Andy1569]

Welcome! You are in the right place to share info and get feedback. I've just finished 44 radiation sessions and am 3 months into my first of every 6-month Lupron injections.

I'm having a PSA test today along with all the other blood work for an annual check-up with my PCP. Fingers crossed for the PSA score.?

Don't ever hesitate to ask questions. These guys have an amazing wealth of knowledge that they share freely every day!

[Wolfee53 in reply to Andy1569]

Thanks for the advice, and good luck with your PSA test results

[Andy1569 in reply to Wolfee53]

PSA is <0.01

[Wolfee53 in reply to Andy1569]

That is great/awesome news, I'm so happy for you, have the best weekend!!

[dmt1121]

Welcome. I too am stage 4 Gleason (5+4) = 9. This is a great place to get feedback from other people's experiences with different treatments and some very knowledgeable people to interpret the latest studies, trials and statistics. No one here is a doctor but, none the less, there is good advice and emotional support to be had here.

[Okay4now]

"Undetectable" - what a wonderful word, full of hope ! Welcome aboard !

[Wolfee53 in reply to Okay4now]

Thanks

[Kaliber]

Add my voice to the loud chorus of voices welcoming you here. Great guys and gals … the very “ best “ tech info available … you doing good brother.

😁😁😁

( OriginalKrackula )

[Wolfee53 in reply to Kaliber]

Thanks

[swwags]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. I hope your cure comes quickly!

[Wolfee53 in reply to swwags]

Thanks, yours also!

[duwa]

Welcome, my friend. I too had a Gleason score 9, (4 + 5) when diagnosed last month but with metastatic migration, mostly to the pelvis area. I will start my ADT program starting tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous about it all but I will endure cause I'm a strong fighter and I'm ready to kick some ass!!! P.S. These people here on this site are a great help to me, mostly with the mental aspect. We'll see how the medical aspect responds.

[Wolfee53 in reply to duwa]

Thanks for responding, we should stand touch since we're in a similar situation . We can compare notes, have a great day

[duwa]

Yes, I will keep in touch and would love to compare notes. Thanks

[Wolfee53]

Great, let's kick ass!

[duwa]

Well Wolfee53, started my first ADT last Thursday (Lupron and Zometa and Casodex) and all went well that day. That night, however, Had the worst cold chills and sweating I ever had in my life. Next day, I felt like I had a fight with Mike Tyson and got beat up pretty bad plus, the very worst headache I ever had ever. Got through the day feeling horrible but was I much better on Sat. Did some honney-do's that day and Sunday was almost a lot better. Only problem was On Sat. I had blood in my urine. Not blood red but a dark pink. Called My MO today and explained all and he was getting back to me later today. So, have you or anyone else had a similar situation?

[Wolfee53 in reply to duwa]

Never had blood in the urine

[duwa in reply to Wolfee53]

Good day Wolfee53

So, the blood in my urine went away and haven't had a problem like that for about 8 days now. I called my ONC and they said it was not from the ADT program and for me to call my URO. I did call and asked if the URO could tell me if I have to worry about this. His nurse said she asked him and he said to come in and talk about it. I got an appoint. this friday so I will see what he said. I really had a problem with the URO cause, I couldn't understand why he didn't have 2 minutes to tell me something like " don't worry" or "come in right away". I never liked this guy from the very beginning so, after seeing him on Friday, I'm getting a new URO......someone who has a little bit more compassion in the relationship. So, other than all that B.S, I feel really good....both mentally and psychically.

[Wolfee53]

That's great to hear, my urologist is the same way, my oncologist and radiation Oncologist Both have good bedside manner. It makes such a difference

[duwa]

Thanks for the reply.....and , yes, I would think that having a "good bedside manner" would be a prerequisite to starting any medical career , unless they just started that career to only think of making easy MONEY. Oh well, guess it doesn't matter cause I'm getting a new URO next week so we'll see what happens.

[Wolfee53 in reply to duwa]

I hope you find someone that's a match with your personality