Welcome New Member Smokey6

A new member, Smokey6, posted the following on an old thread:

Four and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. My PSA went from a "0" to about a "4" in two months. Two months later, it was a "7". The VA recommended I get a biopsy. I almost didn't, but was glad I did. 15 out of 15 hits were hot! The Gleason Score was a 10 and I was a "T-2".
I cannot say enough about by oncologist at the VA. He did what has turned out to be the exactly right thing. I underwent external beam radiation. Initially, it was covering a wide area in case there was bone spread, and then down to the prostate in the last weeks. Five days a week for two and a half months. Then, I was put on Hormone Therapy. I get a shot every six months to keep any remaining cancer "tamped down". I am assured that when the shots are no longer effective, (they usually are effective from three to eight years) there are new shots that can take over.
I had little negative reaction to the radiation therapy, but the shots take away testosterone. Muscle turns to fat and I joke I can describe blue in eight different shades. Ha, ha. I am just now getting to the point where I do not become fatigued by 18 holes of golf (riding, of course). It use to be eight holes and I was pooped!
Exercising like I use to do is futile. I can go strong for a day, but the next day, I do not want to move! I have slowly built up stamina but there is a very long way to go.
That being said, I feel extremely fortunate that the VA knew what they were doing. A cancer treatment facility told me they could promise me a year and a half when I contacted them for a second opinion! That was over four years ago. I just turned 69 and I am feeling better every day. The only problem is that the prostate cancer is probably still "lurking" in the background. I just take one day at a time and make the most of what God has given me.
Let me finish by saying that the Cleveland, Ohio VA has done a very good job with my treatment and I doubt I could have had a better outcome ANYWHERE else. Thank you Cleveland VA!

Welcome to HW.

Good to know you and great to hear things are going well.

Andrew

Smokey6 -

Welcome to the forum.

Since you say in your post that you "just turned 69" may I ask if you ever served in any of the U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy, etc.), probably during the Vietnam era, as you would be the right age for that? (I'm assuming you actually are a veteran, since you are now receiving care in the VA system). In particular, if you were in one of the U.S. military branches did you ever serve a tour of duty in Vietnam?

You are probably already aware of the U.S. government benefits that are likely available to you as a veteran in general, and especially so if you ever served for any time in Vietnam (or certain parts of Korea), and have now developed prostate cancer.

But in case you are not aware, that is, you're not sure about what I mean by VA benefits, please do post again and I'll be happy to explain them further.

Great report Smokey, thanks for posting that, to read such a story with such an outcome from a G10, is beyond inspiring to the new guys here.

Hi Smokey, Welcome to HW. darn a G10... so rare here and it is a good thing you had the biopsy. Sounds like you are managing fairly well. Good luck to you. -JR