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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 1/15/2015 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've been battling a very aggressive PCa which went metastatic to the bone over three years ago. It's an insidious adversary which produces almost no PSA. My oncologist (Charles Myers ) continues to add new components to my treatment plan with each visit. I've completed rounds of Xofigo and Provenge and I remain on Firmagon, Xtandi, Metformin, Avodart, Crestor, Leukine, estrogen patches, and a collage of supplements. Sprycel was added to this roster about four months ago and I have just received the results of Sodium Fluoride Pet/Ct scan done last week. I am thrilled to report that my cancer is showing considerable improvement. Several of the prominent lesions are no longer visible, the activity in my spine is dramatically calmed, and no new activity is noted.
I report this not to celebrate a small parcel of good fortune in such a large war but to assure my brothers and sisters on this board that the "never give up" attitude is more than a cliché in our battle with the beast. It is an essential catalyst in your treatment plan. Good news can be transient in this journey but I'll take this into the new year and run with it. I hope everyone draws a winning hand soon and I hope 2015 blesses us with even stronger weaponry to beat down the beast.

Jim
Posted 1/15/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Amen to that Jim, so glad to hear of your improvement - great post and I wish you the absolute, very best as you move forward. . .



"That’s the only way I know
Don’t stop 'til everything’s gone
Straight ahead, never turn round
Don’t back up, don’t back down
Full throttle, wide open
You get tired and you don’t show it
Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more
That’s the only way I know"
Posted 1/15/2015 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, Glad to hear good news. I am myself at a crossroads and trying to determine the best path forward. Hope you have continuing success with your treatments. May I ask how your Xtandi treatment went?

Don
Posted 1/15/2015 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim...great to hear from you and especially as you share your good news. Your story is an inspiration and a great example of how persistence can pay off. My best as you continue to move forward in this journey.

Jim
Posted 1/15/2015 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Great post Jim and glad to see some positive news for you. A Yooper, I like your post also.
Posted 1/15/2015 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, congrats on the great results and the post encouraging others in your situation now or in future.

Dr. Myers is a master of mixing cocktails to defeat the beast.

LupronJim
Posted 1/15/2015 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Oncas,

Thanks for the update and news of your current victory in the battle against prostate cancer. All the best to you for continued improvement and success.
Posted 1/15/2015 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad you are reporting excellent news, Jim. I have been following your story and just like for several other fighters on this board, I care a lot about your journey. I had asked my father recently if he feels good, and he looked at me strange. "Of course, all is good", he anwered. I asked him if he is at all worried, and he said: "Well, I was worried the first few days after the diagnosis but not since then." And you getting these results after 3 yrs, and him getting PSA less than 1 after four years, you are so right about "never give up" being much more than a cliche. Enjoy, celebrate, if it were me, I would take a trip to wherever my finger would stop a spinning globe. :)
Posted 1/15/2015 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Great attitude Jim and thanks for the check in,
Michael
Posted 1/15/2015 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Many thanks all ...

Don, I suspect the Xtandi has been instrumental in curtailing any nodal or soft tissue spread. Been on it for 18 months.
Posted 1/15/2015 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, thanks for the reply concerning the Xtandi. I hope you continue to get good results.

Don
Posted 1/16/2015 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats Oncas, thats a lot of stuff going inside your body. How do you feel generally speaking, you know just all around,fighting this crap as you are. don't forget to factor in your mental outlook knowing it is being successful as the trump card for the physical setbacks , if any? Im impressed by your heart!!!
Posted 1/16/2015 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Jim,

Awesome news Jim.  A real inspiration to us gleason 9 guys.

Say hi to Charles for me. 

Jerry

Posted 1/16/2015 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update Oncas. I love the attitude.
This is just what I needed today.
Fight on!
Posted 1/16/2015 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Jim what a great attitude you have. Congrats on your success
Posted 1/16/2015 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Jim,
YOUR POST WAS VERY INSPIRATIONAL TO ME, AS I READ THE MANY STORIES HERE ON HW, IT STANDS OUT. I NEED TO LEARN MORE about YOUR STORY AS I FEEL I AM HEADED ON THAT PATHWAY. I DO NOT FEEL YOUR PAIN,BUT I EMPATHIZE. I AM QUITE SURE YOU HAVE ALREADY PROVED YOUR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS TO BE NOT AS DIRE AS DOCS THOUGHT TO BE.KEEP IT UP,THANKS AGAIN, WE LOVE YOU BROTHER, KEEP THE FAITH, DAN IN SO CAL wink
Posted 1/16/2015 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oncas:
I can offer little that others have not already said. Your post was superbly written. It is good news, and all such good news is worthy to any patient. It is personally and particularly so in your case.
Jim(Oncas) gave me the best advice when I was facing scans nearly three years ago and he had just been through the same experience. I was encouraged by his response. I hereby thank him publicly.
Posted 1/17/2015 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Jim:
A healthy, happy new year to you as well. A positive post from any of our high risk brothers gives us all the hope and courage we need to keep fighting and beating our pca. Plus we get a chance to say how happy we are for you and your family. So please keep up the posts, good or not so good, and our brotherhood can cheer and support you in your continuing fight. PS Nothing wrong with celebrating good news. I do it whenever I get the chance. After all, hope is as important as anything we have.
Simon
Posted 1/17/2015 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim,

Yours is a great story of playing with the cards you are dealt.
I admire your approach, all the best for 2015.

Regards,
An
Posted 1/17/2015 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear of this!
Posted 1/17/2015 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again for the replies and messages of encouragement. This disease is ancient and we do not have a cure ... but we are exquisitely close. If you only entertain conventional treatment plans you can expect conventional results. Oscar Wilde said "consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative." This forum offers a wealth of knowledge, experience and moral support. I've drawn from the well here so many times. I will never be able to give back as much as I have taken. Believe strongly that you are going conquer this my friends and you will be half way there. Let's keep talking and let's get well.

Jim
Posted 1/17/2015 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
On as, you have no idea how much you are giving back with your posts. Absolutely inspirational.
Posted 1/22/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Update
Saw Dr. Myers yesterday. He greeted me with the jaw dropping interpretation of my diagnostics. I am in complete remission. Lesions have disappeared. I have no words.

Jim
Posted 1/23/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
WOW!

Where is the CLAP icon
Congrats
Posted 1/23/2015 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
GREAT!!!!!!!
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