Stage 4A and seeking input.

Hello,

I think you need some medical attention right away, and if the cancer is confined to the pelvic area, salvage radiation combined with ADT could possibly still be curative but you must act now. Your PSA (40) was similar to my husband’s initially. I am surprised that with a PSA that high, they would not remove the seminal vesicles and a template of lymph nodes during the surgery. Please know that there is hope and that in the future you can likely take a vacation but you must act now if there is a possibility for radiation to help you. I will pray you get the correct treatment and please keep us updated on your progress.

Whoa! Hold your horses!

Any bit of worrisome news can send one into a tailspin. I have been there, but read on ...

If there's one thing I have learned, since a tough diagnosis back in 2013 when I was still in my 40s, is "don't cross any bridges until you get to the river."

Has your medical team suggested you "throw in the towel?" I doubt it, good sir!

What's your current PSA, by the way?

Wanting all the best for you, follow up with your doctor, and discuss options.

It sounds like XTANDI is being considered. Similarly, when I felt like I was at a crossroads, I started ZYTIGA.

XTANDI and ZYTIGA were fairly new then ... and I have been on ZYTIGA for almost 8 years now. I was my oncologist's first patient to try it.

I now have about 100 empty bottles lined up on a shelf. I was excited when there were 3 bottles on the shelf. It's my "attitude of gratitude" shelf.

Let that visual example encourage you today. There's weapons in the arsenal that you and your doctor can explore.

If there's another thing I have learned ~ treatments can have a powerful impact. There were an extra 10 candles on my latest birthday cake, since diagnosis.

I am a teacher and have taught full-time these past ten years since diagnosis.

The 4th graders I taught the year I got my diagnosis are now in college.

This year's senior class put on their graduation robes and hats and came back to my elementary school and formed a long line - filled with congratulatory hugs and handshakes.

Yesterday, I just filled out my paperwork to renew my teaching license for another five years. I'm going to be the first one there on the first day of school this August, and the last one to go home.

Maybe something in my story will inspire you.

Help keep that beacon of hope lit within you & get a great new treatment plan going with your doctor.

With medications like XTANDI and ZYTIGA ~ there's powerful "lightning in those bottles!"

There's newfound treatments like PLUVICTO (Lutetium-177) that have just emerged, too.

Stay with us here ~ we're here to support you!

With my best sent to you ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Vygr55 I'm just gonna chime in to say welcome to HW and I'm sorry about the tough spot you are in. But no, don't give away all your earthly possessions just yet, we've got guys here who were in really bad spots and came back from it, years later they are enjoying life. I can't give you advice, I'm just not qualified, nor knowledgeable at all on advanced cases. But there are a ton of very knowledgeable guys here that will chime in soon, no doubt. Hang in there.

Cyclone-ISU you are the constant encourager. You help me when I was diagnosed stage 4 back in 2020. I am here too thanking God for all the ways medicine has gotten to the point where we read of many living far beyond what was thought of with PC. Now the saying becomes more true.... "you will die of something else than PC"