Stage IV Metastatic 27 month Update

Hi All:

It has been a few months since I posted but so far 27 months into this PC trip all is going well. I had my PSA results today and still undetectable at <0.02 of which I am grateful for.

Needless to say stage IV PC is not a walk in the park but it is surely manageable. I realize that my undetectable "vacation" phase on first line HT will eventually come to an end but in the meantime I am living every minute of every day to it's fullest. I have travelled extensively since DX, walk 4-6 miles on a daily basis with no problem and try to enjoy life in spite of the monster living inside my body.

To those with a stage IV DX, I want to assure you that you can stall this beast until more treatments get approved and hopefully it is only a matter of time before stage IV PC becomes curable or at least a lifelong manageable disease. After all who can ever forget that HIV was a death sentence but is now a very manageable disease thanks to advances in medicine.

Take care all and stay well.

Geop-

Glad the HT working well for you - for some people HT works for a very long time, 10 or more years.

Bobby Mac

A great report. It is good you've responded well to the treatment. Your realistic, yet hopeful, attitude is good to hear. Keep at it, and keep us all posted. Thanks.

Glad to hear it.

Thanks for posting, it gives people like me who are just starting the journey hope.

Geop,

Thanks for the update! So glad you're doing well! Keep up the fight brother!

October 1, 2012, I was diagnosis with Advance Prostate Cancer (Adenocarcinoma) high volume, very VERY aggressive metastatic (in my bones), Stage 4! My PSA was 130 and Gleason score 9. Numerous skull lesion most prominently on my right occipital lobe (skull); cervical spine particularly and thoracic spine, multiple ribs; fourth vertebral and my T12 vertebral was eaten up with cancer and I had to have 10 rounds of radiation and surgery (11-6-2012) to rebuild my T12 vertebral. My urologist told me that I had four to five years at best! 10-1-12, I started hormone therapy: I started Bicalutamide (Casodex) 50 mg daily and on 10-3-12, had my first monthly injection of Firmagon and Xgeva. Per my urologist, the first line of defense on hormone therapy would only last 6-18 months before having to go to something stronger! MY WIFE, FAMILY AND I, WERE DEVASTATED to say the least!!

Having several bulged disc, my pain doctor has found the right combination of medicine to allow the pain in my lower back, right hip/butt to be manageable!

During my journey with PCa, I've put my faith in God, a positive attitude, my doctors and medicine.

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

Dave, in Bartlett, TN