Is there no stopping this?

Hello TeamChris,
I just wanted to reach out to send some positive thoughts and prayers your way. My husband was diagnosed around the same time as your DH and seems to be doing pretty well at this point, but as we all know, things can change very quickly. Like you, I am so grateful for all the knowledge, advice and support we receive here from our second family. Sending healing thoughts and hugs your way - Suzanne

Hopefully there are more treatments that can continue to help.

Often the higher Gleason cancers give off very little PSA as they continue to mutate. A friend had a seven year cancer progression that led to numerous bone and visceral mets and his PSA never reached 10.

Talk to the oncologist and see if zytiga or Xtandi is an option. Make sure insurance agrees to pay for it before committing though, a month's supply of Xtandi is 10k retail.

I watched my PSA rise the last two infusions of chemo, from 10 to 45, Last two CT scans were good, showing no progression and some reductions, lymph nodes are clear now, but liver is still covered in spots of cancer, so still have to treat, just had to switch to something else that may work better.

Dear Teamchris,

It means a lot to hear from you. We've met in past posts over time, and we've got some common threads in our health story, to be sure.

It looks like the Taxotere chemotherapy treatments worked well in your case. The initial PSA at diagnosis has gone down significantly. I also pursued Taxotere chemo treatments, while on continuous ADT hormone shots, just as you have been doing. As in your case, I watched the PSA creep down with every ensuing chemo treatment. We all know that the chemo treatments can attack cancer cells that the ADT shots can't completely attack.

I've stood right in the spot where you now find yourself. I've stood at the crossroads where you now find yourself, Teamchris. My chemo treatments went well, my side effects were mild, and I was very grateful for that. After the treatments were over, my hair started growing back, I was building myself back up physically, I was exercising every day, and spring weather finally arrived --- all very HOPEFUL things. But then ... my PSA started creeping back up after the chemo treatments stopped. Fork in the road ... what next ?

My medical oncologist went on an extended trip to a foreign continent, leaving my case entrusted to a medical colleague. While he was away, my PSA suddenly DOUBLED. That was somewhat alarming ... and I counted the days until my oncologist's return from his trip, so that we could get a plan of ACTION going. As soon as he returned, we made the decision to go onto ZYTIGA, with the goal of suppressing the rising PSA level.

PSA is quite often unpredictable in advanced cases. I have nicknamed PSA the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to borrow from the movie title of the same name. The goal is to find the sharpened swords and silver shield, to attack the beast, and get the PSA to go back into hibernation ... and then let the fiery dragon sleep in peaceful slumber for a while.

That's what you are doing right now --- you've got monthly FIRMAGON shots going to work for you already --- but NOW you are adding XTANDI to the mix --- just as I added ZYTIGA. Give XTANDI a chance to work --- we've got lots of brothers here who have experienced some remarkable success with XTANDI and ZYTIGA --- so I am sincerely hopeful that XTANDI will really help you. It's helped thousands of people these past few years ... one of the new breakthrough medications for prostate cancer.

When I went on ZYTIGA, my oncologist said, "Don't lose hope --- you just need something NEW to add to the mix in your case." A few weeks later, my PSA crept down even lower than it had ever been --- even lower than I achieved while I was undergoing chemo treatments. You have EVERY reason to believe that XTANDI is going to help you.

I can tell you need a bit of hope right now --- some encouragement --- maybe a Homecoming football game pep rally to boost your spirits ? It's a battlefield out there sometimes --- we've got to do everything we can to keep our head in the game --- to do everything we can to keep looking forward. Hope is a powerful thing --- so do everything you can to hang onto hope that XTANDI can work some wonders in your case. Let us know how it works for you !

Meanwhile --- have you considered seeking a second opinion ? We have many brothers here who have sought out experts at outstanding medical facilities all across the country --- we have glowing reports from members here from every corner of the country who have traveled a bit to seek out the wisdom of experts in the field of prostate cancer.

For a top-notch second opinion, your goal should be to seek out a UROLOGY ONCOLOGIST --- it's a somewhat rare certification, but that is the level of expertise you should seek out, if you pursue a second opinion. There are many urologists across this country, there are many medical oncologists ... but for advanced prostate cancer cases with complexities, the expertise of a UROLOGY ONCOLOGIST is something that should be sincerely considered. Take it to the top ! You deserve the best and a second opinion is something that should always be considered. You have to be your own advocate sometimes --- take that next step --- be proactive --- and seek out those experts. They take new patients every day --- all walks of life --- you do your research, you find the expert that can add something new to your care plan, you schedule an appointment, you take your case to the top ... we ALL deserve the best and I want that for every friend and "Battle Brother" here, when their case has complexities.

Seeking a second opinion can do a LOT of things for cases that are complex --- they can assess your current scans and documents and go over everything with a fine-toothed comb --- they can affirm your current course of treatment, if they feel that everything is going according to plan --- they can add their own thoughts and viewpoint and share their expertise with you --- they can often offer some additional strategies or treatment ideas that have never been presented to the patient before. It's adding another layer of expertise to everything you already have going in your current plan ...

True story ... just happened ... a friend of mine just returned from seeking a second opinion from a nationally recognized medical facility and consulted with an expert who specializes in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer --- a UROLOGY ONCOLOGIST, that somewhat rare level of certification. My friend's current treatment plan was thoroughly examined --- and now my friend has just received an entirely new viewpoint on treatment ideas that have NEVER been presented to him before --- an entire shift in treatment options --- which he is now vigorously pursuing. His whole world just changed this past week --- all because he sought a second opinion, which resulted in several new options being presented to him --- just as he felt he was hitting a "brick wall" in his treatments with his local doctor.

The new plan is already in place --- I myself was amazed at the new course of treatments that were presented to my friend --- his world CHANGED because he drove a few hours down the road, went through a few lab tests and new scans, spent a couple of nights in a hotel, and then consulted with an expert in the field of prostate cancer. Game-changer for him ! Something to consider ... something to mull over in your case ... just thoughts to share with you ... just wanting the BEST for you ...

Please keep in touch with us, Teamchris --- I follow all of your posts and we are all here to encourage you and support you in your treatments --- let us know how the XTANDI works for you --- thinking of you today as I write this ! Sincere thoughts and best wishes from across the miles ...

Sent with all my best to you, Teamchris !
"Iowa State Cyclone"