Introduction and progress

[Blueslover]

Recently joined, so want to update all on my progress.

Now 74, retired veterinarian. Diagnosed in in 2008 with biopsy, Gleason 7. Travelled to Orlando to have a Robotic prostatectomy by an expert. SV's also had cancer and specimen showed some Gleason 9. One dirty margin at surgery. PSA undetectable 6 weeks after surgery as it was for 5 years.

PSA became detectable at 5 years when I have 2 months of Firmagon followed by several weeks of prostate bed irradiation after which my PSA was undetectable again for another 4-5 years. Erectile capability became less as time progressed and I had a penile implant placed which functions to this day. Other side effects of radiation are irritation and scarring of my UG tract, and minor fecal incontinence, both of which are hard to deal with.

Late summer 2017 PSA started to rise again and I was referred to Duke, and started Lupron 6 month in 5/18. Axumin scan revealed cancer in 4 abdominal and 1 pelvic lymph nodes. PSA reached around 6-7 before this, but was undetectable after 8 weeks. Testosterone reached castrate level at < 20. Few problems on the ADT except redistribution of fat, and some minor general weakness. I walk daily with weights, do the Y 3 times weekly with stationary bike and weights, and do yoga also 3 times weekly for my very arthritic back.

Just had second Lupron a week or so ago, and they also started me on Prolia for osteoporosis. CT scan showed my swollen nodes have shrunk to normal size! PSA still undetectable, and Testosterone <10. No weight gain.

Very happy with my response so far. Asked my specialist what could be done to delay as much as possible the progress to castrate resistance, and he said the best thing to retard this is to keep the PSA as low as possible.

I am a single handed sailor and usually sail all over Florida and the Bahamas in the winter. Stayed at home this winter to have my scan and to look after my health. Maybe I can get back out on the water next year?

Cheers and good luck to all my prostate brothers!

[Lyubov]

All the exercise you do faithfully & the sailing you love so much go a long way, in my opinion, in keeping the PCa in check. Keep it up & all the best luck!

[Jpenn]

As one veterinarian to another, I wish you good sailing. We probably had the same surgeon, as I too went to Orlando. My 1st biopsy was neg, however I was pretty sure I had cancer. 2nd biopsy had only one positive. Had surgery in Jun of 2015.Turns out over 50% of my PROSTATE was cancer.SV and about a dozen lymph nodes removed, 1 was positive for cancer. Glison score of 9. Several months later urologist wanted to start lupron. I disagreed. I explained to him that this was a disease I would fight for the rest of my life, so I did not want lupron. I explained that if I diagnosed his dog with prostate cancer, the first thing I would is castrate his dog. So get your scapel and do an orchectomy. At the time I was 72. I explained, my gonads are what feeds the cancer and I don't need them any more. That was over 3 years ago aND my psa is still .05 and has been since my surgey. Having no testerone is a bummer, also hypothyroid, but I'm alive. I might add that I am an Agent Orange patient so I have multitude of other medical conditions; non hodgkins lymphoma, diabetes. 3rd stage kidney failure, chronic anemia, had open heart surgery to replace aortic valve. Also had that pig valve replaced with a TAVER valve last year. I have 3rd kidney failure and have been fighting the chronic form of Q fever (coxiella bernitti) since 2012. Bottom line: we will be here until GOD says. It's time to come home. Good luck and GOD's speed.

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

Holy Shit.... You've got a lot on your doggie dish. Agent Orange = Vet Nam. Well thank you (and me) for wearing the USA military uniform.

"We will be here until GOD says. It's time to come home". <===<<< Put's a tear in my eyes.

May you overcome all of your maladies with....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h n Sunday 11/25/2018 5:15 PM EST

[Blueslover]

Thanks for your reply Jpenn. Good luck with all the other stuff you're dealing with other than the prostate cancer. FYI my testicular T production never recovered from the Firmagon I had pre-radiation around 5 years ago. Was using trans-dermal T for a long time until I became metastatic in the Fall of last year.

[j-o-h-n]

"Maybe I can get back out on the water next year?" Just a reminder since we're all having memory problems "Remember to bring your boat".

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h n Sunday 11/25/2018 5:22 PM EST