Posted 7/14/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kitty19,
I saw your original post from CELEBRATE LIFE's thread --- we're here to support you, Kitty19 --- you've found a tremendous resource, as all the members here will attest.
To recap from your original post, to get everyone up-to-speed on your situation ... you shared that your husband was diagnosed at age 56 in October of 2015. You shared that he had a PSA reading of 1,264 at the time of diagnosis and that he exhibited mets in some lymph nodes, bones, liver, and that he also had a tumor in his lower pelvis. You also shared that your husband was staged at Gleason 9 and that he has been undergoing ADT hormone shot therapy with LUPRON, in conjunction with seven rounds of chemotherapy to date.
These are very informative details, Kitty19. These details help the members of our forum understand where you've been, where you are at currently, and where you are heading NEXT in terms of treatments.
You and your husband are already "WAR VETERANS" ... since your husband's diagnosis came in October of 2015. By now you've likely assembled a medical team of doctors --- your case, just like mine, has some complexities. It will be VERY reassuring for you and your husband to know that you're not alone in this --- we have many members here with complex or advanced cases. It CAN feel like a lonely battle sometimes --- that's the power and purpose of this forum --- we are all COMRADES here --- united on this battlefield TOGETHER. We support each other --- care about each other --- listen to each other --- connect with each other --- advise each other --- look out for each other --- and share our personal treatment experiences over time, in the interest of helping OTHERS who visit our forum.
With that being said, your decision to undergo chemotherapy treatments was wise --- those treatments, in combination with the LUPRON hormone shots, has brought your husband's PSA level down from 1,264 at diagnosis to "around 20" at the current time, as you described in your original post on the other thread. This shows you that the "double-barreled shotgun" approach (the LUPRON shot plus the chemo treatments) packed a mighty wallop against the cancer cells.
In consultation with your doctors, you obviously went through the "early chemo plan" that many of us here have now pursued as an upfront treatment for more complex cases. I also went through a series of chemo treatments two years ago --- in addition to the ongoing ADT shots that I have taken continuously now for the past three years, since my original diagnosis when I was in my 40s. I felt that I needed the extra PUNCH that chemo treatments could add to my treatments. Those of us here who have undergone chemo treatments refer to it as "The Chemo Club" and your husband is now an official "Chemo Comrade" in the club, so to speak.
Pursuing the upfront chemo treatments was obviously a proactive, "let's get down in the trenches of the battlefield" approach to your husband's case. I'm thankful to see the dramatic drop from where you began your medical journey.
In your original post, you are also asking members here about their experiences with ENZALUTAMIDE, which is commonly known as XTANDI. We DO have many members here who have taking this medication, which is in the newer class of "breakthrough" medications for prostate cancer ... these newer breakthrough medications include XTANDI, ZYTIGA, and also XOFIGO.
After my chemo treatments were over, my oncologist prescribed ZYTIGA for me, which is an alternate to XTANDI, and they are often prescribed interchangeably. ZYTIGA helped knock my PSA down even lower than the chemo treatments did --- and many members here have had meaningful SUCCESS with XTANDI --- so there may be members out there who can share their success story with you. As an alternate, you can use the search bar located at the top of your screen right now and type in the medication name XTANDI and many past threads will be revealed.
I'm glad to hear that some of the original sites where mets were detected are now reducing in size, as your husband's treatments have continued. Make sure you have assembled a top-notch team of doctors ... in my case, I have my original urologist who determined my original diagnosis ... I then added my primary oncologist, who sees me every four weeks, without fail ... from there, I have also added a UROLOGY ONCOLOGIST who specializes in advanced prostate cancer. Urology oncologists SPECIALIZE in advanced prostate cancer and can usually be found at the larger medical hospitals around the country. I always say that ALL of us here deserve the very BEST doctors ... so I hope you have found some top-notch doctors who have expertise in treating prostate cancer.
Kitty19 --- this forum becomes like a family over time, as you get to know the members here --- there is a wealth of knowledge shared each day --- but more importantly, there is CARE and COMPASSION whenever you need it the most. Most people visit here seeking information ... but they leave here knowing that others DO care about them and their well-being.
With that being said --- it's important to stay connected to your family, friends, and faith, in whatever form that takes for you --- keep busy --- stay active --- form a tight and trusted BOND with your husband's doctors --- stay interested in your usual hobbies and activities --- assemble a supportive network of relatives, work colleagues, neighbors, friends, old classmates, and community members. We ALL need each other --- and we ALL need support. I hope you are already sensing the support that comes from visiting here.
Continue to post, Kitty19 --- continue to keep us updated on your husband's progress. Let us know how you both are doing --- let us know what questions you have --- and which "next steps" you are considering in your sequence of treatments. There's a lot of success stories here, as you will discover ... and many of us who have had some very meaningful successes in our treatments, over the course of time.
Sending my best to you, and your husband, from across the miles today -
"CYCLONE FAN" from Iowa State University