I had a sudden runup in my PSA from 5.2 to 9.2 in mid-2023. My primary care physician referred me to a well-known urologist in Denver. After a digital rectal exam, DRE, he immediately scheduled a biopsy. The results were six cores at Gleason 9 and one at 6. The risk level is 5 out of 5 and highly aggressive, CT and ultrasound scan, and later a 3D MRI did not see a sign of metastases (mets). This only means that any metastasis is smaller than two or three millimeters in size and below the resolution of the scans.
I had a significant hemorrhage the following day while touring a senior living center (we did not join). Blood ran down both inside thighs to my ankles but stopped at my shoes. I did not mark the carpet.
My medical oncologist started me on Orgovyx as hormone deprivation therapy, ADT, on January 27, 2024. I had most of the listed sides effects of fatigue, mental confusion, sore joints, and depression, but they were all at a 1 or 2 on a scale of 10 except for depression which was and is a 3.
My PSA has dropped after six weeks from 9.2 down to 2.2. It is likely going much lower. I am scheduled to have fiducials, little gold markers, placed in my prostate on April 12, 2024. These will guide the stereotactic beam radiation therapy, SBRT, in late April. I will receive five sessions a week apart.
I am on Prolia as a medicine to minimize the loss of calcium from my bones and limit any deposition in my heart vessels. I checked with my cardiologist and dentist. The Prolia tends to exacerbate infections you might have, especially dental infections.
I mitigate the physical side effects of the ADT by heavy exercise in a gym 3 or 4 times a week, weights and cardio, and walking my dog daily. I mitigate the mental confusion by playing music every day, and the preludes and postludes in my church service on Sundays. They say music tones up the entire body. I also write action/adventure books in the historical fiction genre. I have three on Amazon and am working on a fourth.
This is a long post. Thanks for reading. I am at the very limit of prostate cancer and at the threshold of advanced, metastisized cancer.
Many men come through this treatment well. I feed good too, but am starting this journey at 85 years old. I enjoy each single day to the maximum and accept but manage whatever the future may hold.
"Pros and Cons of Various Forms of Radiation Therapy vs Radical Prostatectomy for Men in Their 50s"
Is high protein safe?
Initial Diagnosis PCa Stage 4 Mets to Bone (Pelvis)
ADT duration for high risk with Cribriform
After Orgovyx
