My younger brother finally, succumbed to the beast. His long and courageous battle ended at 0300 a.m. Central time 7/10/2014.
I write today in tribute to my brother and to reiterate what so many of you have said, get the best Doctors you can and educate yourself about this formidable foe.
Over and over I hear that you should not be operated on if the cancer has spread from the prostate. My brother’s story supports that belief.
Perhaps this story will help others, as I was too late to help him.
September 2008, PSA 2.3
Early October 2010, had physical for new insurance policy, PSA 4.4. No symptoms. Insurance agent said to see a Doctor.
Early November 2010, went to GP, PSA 5.4.
November 2010, biopsy revealed Gleason Score 8s and 9s, Stage T2b, PSA ??
January 15, 2011, had surgery to remove prostate. It had metastatic to 3 ribs and soft tissue, prior to surgery. Limps o/k. PSA 7.0.
May 2011, radiation treatment, no affect.
PSA went to 10, started Hormone Therapy. PSA went down to 2.1
Late 2011, PSA started rising again, went to new urologist. Told him to go to MD Anderson.
Early 2012, started treatment at MD Anderson, Houston.
June 2013, while at MD Anderson, experimental drug and was doing fine. Went from monthly treatment to every 3 months. Holes in ribs were closing up. PSA 1.0.
July 2013, PSA started rising PSA 1.7.
September 20, 2013 experimental drug stopped working. Found 6 more bone lesions. PSA went from 1.7 to 3.1 on September 20, 2013. Said was starting new drug trial in 3 months.
Late 2013, started new trial Zytiga and MDV 3100.
Mid December 2013, trial failed, too many lesions on ribs and spine to count.
Late December 2013, started chemo combination never tried before.
February 2014 discovered his liver was involved. Doctor added Carboplatin to chemo regime. Bone scans improving. Reduction in lesions. PSA down to 2.8.
March 2014, stopped chemo, as it killed his immune system.
Still traveled on business to Europe until March 2014, claimed he would not know he was sick if Doctors had not told him so.
April 2014, started having double vision. Had 7 radiation treatments to improve that condition. Bone marrow stopped producing. Doctor gave him 6 months.
June 2014, starts Hospice in home. Loss use of legs.
July 9, 2014, kidneys failed.
July 10, 2014, the beast wins.
I would like to thank all of my new found brothers for all of the suggestion for new drugs, but we get to him too late.
Roy