Prostate Cancer saved my life!

One day 16 years ago I stopped by a medical facility to get my PSA checked since I hadn't had it checked in awhile. (I was 68 years old at the time.) The next day, the doctor called me and reported my PSA was 6 and I needed to see a urologist. The urologist performed a biopsy and determined I had cancer in one quadrant. He recommended surgery as the gold standard but also gave me the option of radiation. After some research, I chose surgery. I then needed clearance from a cardiologist. The cardiologist ran me thru all the routine tests and said my cardio situation seemed to be a-okay for the surgery. She said she wanted to take it one further step by sending me to Inova Hospital for one of those blue dye tests on my entire circulatory system. The test showed i had the Widow Maker, an almost complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery. I was shocked as I went to the gym every day for a rather strenuous workout including weight lifting and 45 minutes on the treadmill with absolutely not heart pain or other symptoms. My cardiologist called me shortly after the test and gave me the bad news, She told me it was a painless way to die if I was ready to depart because there is no warning and no pain, just instant death. She then informed me that she had scheduled me for emergency open heart surgery in two days. I have to admit, the surgery was awful and it took me nearly a year to fully recover. Following the heart surgery I advised the surgeon I needed to schedule the prostate surgery. He said "no way, a second major surgery would be much too risky" so my only option was radiation. After I finished the cardio rehab program, I had 45 radiation sessions. My prostate cancer returned about 7 years later. Sixteen years later I am still here because of that one day when I decided on a lark to get my PSA checked. Prostate cancer had saved my life!

Now that is truly fighting the beast. I hope your SEs from Eligard are improving.
My best wishes.
Jack

A somewhat similar story here. At the time of my diagnosis I contacted my family members to be vigilant regarding routine PSA monitoring as well as sharing the details of my status. My youngest brother called weeks later to say his biopsy following an elevated PSA was also positive. His urologist ordered some followup prostate imaging which detected a tumor on his bladder that was also found to be cancerous. Without that imaging his bladder cancer would not have been detected. He’s currently in a very good active surveillance program for the PCa and making good progress on the bladder cancer.

Youkilis said...
...After I finished the cardio rehab program, I had 45 radiation sessions.
My prostate cancer returned about 7 years later...

Was the 45 radiation sessions the only treatment you had to treat the cancer after your heart issues?

Youkillis, I believe you mentioned your doctor was thinking about moving you to Firmagon. I was Dx GL-8. My Uro started me on Firmagon because it supposedly has less effect on the heart. I had a bad reaction, but had to live with it for a month. My Uro changed me over after the month was over to the once a day pill Orgovyx. I am about a week away from finishing 18 months. The nice thing about Orgovyx is that it can be stopped at any time if there is a reaction. It is very expensive, but my Uro called around and to lower the price. My Medicare Advantage plan bills me $40.00/month for 30 pills. Orgovyx has taken my T-level down to zero and my PSA to undetectable. The SEs have been typical of pretty much all hormone treatments. Some sweating off and on, some weight gain and loss of energy in the afternoon. I pretty much have no libido as well, However I have never had any brain fog. The other SEs have diminished over time. Just something to think about as both Firmagon and Orgovyx act in the same way. In any case, whatever you go with, I do hope that your bad SEs from Eligard keep getting better.
My best to you and keep on fighting.
Jack

I'm so glad to read your first-hand story, Youkilis!

I'm very thankful you have joined us here, as well!

It's about surviving ... AND thriving!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University