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Posted 6/1/2017 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday was my last day for my primary treatment. It has been a long 18 months of ADT2, along with HDR Brachy, IMRT and Chemo. I did not come out unscathed as I have chronic radiation enteritis that I have to deal with, possibly for ever according to my MO. However cancer control was the goal and my last PSA was .03 so for me, I am happy with that. Now I go into the 3 month PSA test cycle. I have met some great guys who have helped me along my journey and I thank you for your guidance and discussions. I have tried to pay it forward with new guys on the journey who contact me from here, USTOO or through my blog, and with my own cancer support community. I have other issues to deal with now, but I will be on HW for the foreseeable future. Thanks all. -JR
Posted 6/1/2017 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful to hear that you've reached the end of the primary treatment JR. Please accept my sincerest hope that you have put PCa behind you forever. You have been an inspiration to me in my journey behind you, and you'll never know the good you've done by talking with, meeting, and supporting guys like me that come here lost upon diagnosis and are looking for that lifeline that only a guy that went through it himself can provide. Good luck and best wishes my friend.
Posted 6/1/2017 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Jr. Fantastic!

You have been a great inspiration to me and to others as well I'm sure. I can't wait to get to where you are but will have to wait another year.
So... I look forward to see how it goes for you in the next few months and beyond.

We are on a very similar path with me following somewhat behind. In fact you are the one that inspired me to go for the Chemo. Thank you for reaching out to me and for being a great friend through all of this.
It is the 1 year anniversary of my biopsy today. 2 days after is when I received my "call".

Have been thinking of posting something about my last year's experience. Maybe in a couple days.

Again . Congrats on finishing the primary treatment.
Battle on Brother!!

The Artistic One - Mark
Posted 6/1/2017 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! CaliJR on completing this very hard task, and especially on the apparent success of the treatment. Reports like this help us all to feel good-

thanks for sharing-
rf
Posted 6/1/2017 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Great news!

normal changes, but life goes on.

Andrew
Posted 6/1/2017 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
JR -

Nice to see your finished with treatments --

Bobby Mac
Posted 6/1/2017 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Wishing you the very best in the future. You've done the max so no need to look back.
Posted 6/1/2017 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful....keep up the positive results and go live your life to the fullest.
Posted 6/1/2017 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations, JR! It's a relief to reach the end of such an arduous journey. You can be a real resource to the guys who follow along here. Helping others is one of the most gratifying aspects of all this.

Here's to many, many low PSA readings! Oh, and for what it's worth, it's interesting to have your testosterone checked along with the PSA every 3 months. It can give you insight into what the PSA does, if anything. As the testosterone recovers from ADT, the PSA will likely come up a little bit. We're looking for low and steady, hopefully stabilizing somewhere below 0.5.
Posted 6/1/2017 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
CaliJR great to hear you are done with your primary treatment. Keep that head held high. The people here is what made me join this forum.
Posted 6/2/2017 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
JR:
Congratulations on finishing your primary therapy. Hopefully, you are now done with it forever. Now you can start recovering from HT etc. which will really improve your QOL.
Simon
Posted 6/2/2017 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, Jr, that is so wonderful that you are done and your PSA is showing the value in going through this. I wish the SEs had been more kind to you. Thank you for always being a strong support to Gary and myself. It means so much to both of us. I'm glad your sticking around while you continue to live life without tx's.
@ Everton...welcome to HW. So glad you did join. tongue
Beth
Posted 6/2/2017 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations Caljr, so great that you have come to the end of this long road. Now time to move forward and enjoy every day
Posted 6/2/2017 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on finishing treatment!! Must feel good to be reaching the end of such a tough journey (I know we are counting on reaching this same point in a little over a year and hope to be able to help others when we get there).

Your stats are so close to my hubby's. May I ask what factors pushed you to add the chemo boost to your treatment? We are considering the same for him, but we don't really have much information to help us decide between balancing cancer control and managing toxicity...I'd love to hear how you came to that decision if you can share.

Congrats again - hope you can celebrate this milestone!
Posted 6/2/2017 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
You have been through a lot, and you've made some very tough treatment decisions. I hope you feel good about taking control of your health decisions. What a relief that the treatments are finally over!
Posted 6/2/2017 8:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hello CaliJR,

I always follow your posts, and appreciate your loyal brotherhood, here on the forum ...

I am so happy that you have forged through your treatments and have experienced some MEANINGFUL SUCCESS in your treatments ...

I'm so thankful to hear your good news, CaliJR !

Wishing you the best, looking ahead !

Time for you to celebrate, now that the summer season is here !

Handshake of congratulations, from across the miles,
Iowa State University - "CYCLONE" ( Team Colors: Cardinal Red & Gold).
Posted 6/5/2017 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your kind thoughts... there is a good comradery feeling, just like when I was in the military. I even feel emotional when one of our brothers loose the battle.

As TA pointed out, I made some choices, like chemo to add as a boost. I have had several people send me direct messages asking me why. It was simple, I was 51, Gleason 9, and I wanted another systemic boost. It was brought up by my MO and I thought it was a good idea. I have had topical chemo in the past for pre-cancerous lesions on my face and neck so that was another factor. Sure enough, some additional spots lifted on my neck and arms during chemo. So to me, I got the extra effect I was looking for - at least I feel it helped even if the research says just a few percentage points of help with that toxicity. I had to stop early because of bowel issues (chronic radiation enteritis) related to IMRT. I still deal with those issues today, 1 year after IMRT. It does suck that I have those issues, but I was told it could happen. My wife calls me "Mr 1%" as in if 1% of patients get a particular side effect, I will get it.

So again, thank you all. I appreciated the research links from TA, direct support from Michael T who helped me early on and several others of you who gave me early advice. Thanks. -JR
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