3 Years in Remission

When I was first told my disease was late stage 3, I never thought we'd get here, but after three years I am pushing zeros through the needle still. We have set our next oncology visit for November. NOVEMBER! Since being diagnosed over three years ago the longest sting without a doctors visit has been 4 months. OK I know I will see my radiation oncologist in July, but we will mostly be talking about cars because I am having no side effects from the radiation. In fact, with my T levels now at 230, I am having very little side effects at all! Surgery, radiation, and more than two and a half years on HT, I have full continence control, sexual function without ED medications, and fatigue is from work and not from treatment.

I know so many of you are still having difficulty, and it really pains me to see it. I am very lucky. I credit my medical team for their excellence every step of the way. My advice to anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer is to try to always have the cream of the crop as part of your team. I did, and thus far, I have employed an excellent surgeon and an excellent oncologist. Here is my history with advanced prostate cancer:

PSA history:
October 3, 2006 19.8
October 10, 2006 18.9
November 27, 2006 13.9
Surgery February 16, 2007 (see surgical results below)
February 28, 2007 0.9
March 12, 2007 0.1
March 23, 2007 <0.1
May 16, 2007 <0.1
July 18, 2007 <0.1
September 19, 2007 <0.1 CTC=0
January 29, 2008 <0.1
May 9, 2008 <0.1
September 17, 2008 <0.1
January 13, 2009 <0.1
May 11, 2009 <0.1 T=50
October 7, 2009 <0.1 T=21 PAP=0.3
January 4, 2010 <0.1 T=128 PAP=0.4
April 28, 2010 <0.1 T=230 PAP=0.4

Feeling blessed and very lucky,

Tony

Tony,
Three years and you're a zero. In the course of human endeavour that is not normally a cause for rejoicing, but that is one excellent result after a hard fought battle. My heartiest congratulations and may there be an indefinite string of them in the future.
Bill

Tony,

That is wonderful, what words can one find...  You were such a help to me when I came to this site and so many others.  To see you winning this fight is a uplifting and is a spirit elevator.

I wish you and your family the very best.

Frank

Tony,
That is a wonderful story and result of a long journey. You have been an inspiration to all of us. You have helped many of us on this forum. Thanks ANd keep up the good work.

Way to go Tony. Congratulations.

Tony,

A heart-felt congratulations to you for winning all of these difficult battles. I know you credit your medical team, but your enthusiasm and courage are electric and great help to us all.

My best to you in all you do, and thanks for being a faithful moderator over the years!

Barry

Tony, your story gives hope to all of us here! Congratulations on hitting this important milestone in your journey! We miss you.

Tony,
I first came to HW last September, post-surgery, not cured, and with a PT3b stage. I was devastated, and scared to death. I looked for folks who were staged similar to me, and what they were doing about it. I found TC-Las Vegas, and read every word you had to say, both here and at your CaringBridge web site.

Your journey and telling of it helped greatly to give me the strength to continue my treatment, and the hope that it would work. I am still on the path, dealing with HT issues, but confident that I am doing the right thing. Thank you Tony. May God bless you.
All the best.
Roger

I like the part of your signature that says-> "Feeling blessed and very lucky"

Me thinks there's a bit more then luck going on....

Good deal, Tony, keep on fighting the battle. We all appreciate your efforts here and in your other PCa activities for the benefit of us all.

Thanks on and all.
In my book, I live now on the very lucky side of prostate cancer. In the statistics, I still have a ways to go, but Ruthie and I are very happy with the way things sit. Last night we went out to celebrate with our friends Terry and Anthea Herbert. With a friendship that started online, it was my first in person meeting with them, but with grace and good fortune it won't be the last. What a wonderful couple. We had a fantastic dinner with great company and discussion. With Terry's experience with prostate cancer and his desire to help anyone he can, we shared a lot in common. When Terry returns to Australia he will also be returning to treating his rising PSA. But he has excellent insight of the option having run the YANA website for years.

Again, thank you all for the encouraging words and messages.

Tony

Tony,

Your journey is a remarkable story in every way. You have and are still, beating so many negative odds in so many positive ways. It truly gives hope to each and every person here at HW Prostate Cancer, that despite stats and numbers, good things can happen.

The advocate work you do for all of us with PC is without reproach, and an inspiration in itself. Your long term contributions here are outstanding in every way.

Hope you have many more milestones like this one, in the years ahead.

David in SC

Tony, You are simply the best! Lana & CJ