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Posted 10/10/2021 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone: I just jointed today. I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer Stage 4. My PSA in June was 136. In August 1.12 and in October (last week) .12. I'm taking Zytega and I'm getting injected Lupron every 3 months. I have to admit I'm scared and I have been suffering with a great deal of anxiety. All the websites that I read the prognosis is 5 years. I don't believe in this. I believe in God and I think is up to him. I will love to get feedback from the group. Thank you everyone.
Posted 10/10/2021 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
VAlvarez

So sorry to hear of your initial situation, and welcome to our little club. It does sound like your doctors are doing the right things, the Lupron and Zytiga are well within standard of care. Are there plans to do radiation treatments once your prostate has shrunk and the chemo has done some work?

Also, where are you located? Knowing that can help us help you better.

5 years may well be average...but there are plenty of men in here who had diagnoses similar to yours who are still doing well 10 years or even more after diagnosis.
Posted 10/10/2021 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to our community. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it sounds like you're responding extremely well to the Lupron and Zytiga. And you are right not to believe in any website that puts a timeframe on your condition. We have several guys here with similar diagnoses to you that are going strong significantly longer than five years. There are so very many ways to control even advanced PC and there are more treatments coming online all the time.

Where are you being treated? If you're okay with sharing the details of your diagnosis, you can create a signature similar to mine that will appear at the bottom of your posts. That can be helpful in terms of giving some background on your diagnosis. I hope you stay connected with our group here and I hope we can be of help to you.
Posted 10/10/2021 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
VA, welcome to the forum, very sorry about the initial diagnosis, but all is not lost. As others have said, we've got many guys here with similar or worse diagnosis who are doing well, way longer than 5 years out.

Remember that these survival times are valid for large groups but meaningless for any one individual. Like going to a blackjack table. The longer you play, i.e. the more hands in your game, the truer the odds but your chance of winning on any given one hand is much different.

Hang in there, others will be along soon with comments, weekends are sort of slower.
Posted 10/11/2021 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I am treated at the Miami Cancer Institute. They are very good and my doctor specializes in prostate cancer.
Posted 10/11/2021 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings VA - if you don’t mind, where has your prostate cancer spread to? Lymph nodes, bones, organs? Did/do you have symptoms? Just wondering where you are at with your Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The life span of people with prostate cancer is all over the place as others have said and improving with new treatment options.
Posted 10/11/2021 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Gleason 10 and stage 4 also 2 1/2 years ago. I had chemo, radiation and have been on Lupron since diagnosis. My Psa is currently undectable so so far so good. I had the radiation through the SWOG 1802 trial. There is no conclusive data yet regarding that trial, but my doc feels the preliminary data is showing some positive results. I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. But I’m doing great and confident you will as well. It’s hard at first, but be positive and work hard to count your blessings. Hopefully we can both be outliers on the positive side!
Posted 10/11/2021 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
Valbares, and Jesse WI,
Welcome to the forum. I had very much a similar situation when nine years ago, the doctor said you have stage 4 cancer, and have maybe 3 to 5 years. He was absolutely wrong. I fired him and left him far behind. I too have been on Lupron, and currently on Zytiga, in remission for 7 years now, just look at my profile below. We got this, many many more years, Brother.. I also believe as you do Valbares, wonderful last line on your posts. Take care, keep us posted, and keep the Faith
Wings of Eagles...Isaiah 40:31
Posted 10/11/2021 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Reminder: we have members from all over the world here. Many have religions and beliefs that are different from yours. If you wish to proselytize your religious and/or political beliefs, please don't do that here as it is offensive to others that do not share your views.

Site rules and common courtesy. Thanks.
Posted 10/11/2021 12:14 PM (GMT 0)

valbares said...
All the websites that I read the prognosis is 5 years. I don't believe in this. I believe in God and I think is up to him. I will love to get feedback from the group. Thank you everyone.

If you believe in God, perhaps it's prudent to also believe that God may act through the miracles of modern medicine. As an example, the Pope mandated the Covid vaccine for Vatican employees.

Djin

Post Edited (DjinTonic) : 10/11/2021 6:23:54 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/11/2021 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
DT, I agree,
TG,
I am sure the Mods will keep us all in line. All views and opinions are appreciated I am sure, but let's not make this post about Rule # 6, because sometimes certain people misunderstand the word "proselytize". No one is trying to convert anyone here in this post.
Wings aka Dan in So Ca,

Post Edited (Wings of Eagles) : 10/12/2021 11:38:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/11/2021 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, that was a bizarre turn of thread and rather a cold welcome from a few of us to a new poster admitting he's scared and anxious.

Valbares, please do take heart from the many members here who continue to thrive long beyond whatever some docs and websites might leave you to believe!
Posted 10/11/2021 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Valbares,
Treatments have changed the past few years and the information you are seeing on websites, and even from your doctor, may be a reflection of the old ways. The five year survival you've been hearing may be true for back when only Lupron was prescribed for your type of situation. Fortunately, you are getting the current standard of care with the addition of Zytiga, and it appears that you've had a great response to treatment.

I think your future is brighter than it may appear to you. Take some breaths and continue to rely on your support system. Good luck!
Posted 10/12/2021 12:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, Jesse WI & Valbares ----

I want to welcome both of you here.

You'll find a lot of insight, medical tips, first-hand experiences, support, and encouragement here.

Keep checking in --- keep reading current posts & checking past threads.

We all learn from each other --- and the sharing of first-hand experiences is the hallmark of this forum.

For both of you --- I was diagnosed back in 2013, while in my 40s, with a PSA that was skyrocketing quickly, reaching over 100. I'm a teacher, and a new school year had just begun.

I faced a whirlwind series of tests and diagnostics. Tests showed that both my lungs had already been infiltrated with cancer --- showing that prostate cancer was "on the move" ...

Time was of the essence & my treatments began immediately.

Treatments brought results immediately, and those treatments brought newfound HOPE into my life.

A new cancer diagnosis isn't easy, but I want to tell both of you that stepping into that BOXING RING, putting on those boxing gloves, and GETTING STARTED IN THE FIGHT is worth it.

My family, friends, and doctors stay rallied around me. This website provided support ---- each and every day.

Above all else, it's important that I share that receiving the news of my cancer diagnosis was certainly sobering news.

But --- with the guidance of my medical team --- I am stepping into my NINTH YEAR of survivorship. My oncologist and I just marked that milestone last week at my latest appointment with a series of "fist bumps and elbow bumps" --- a celebratory moment.

I have much to be thankful for ... and I want to share my HOPE with you today.

You'll find a ready welcome here --- fellowship and camaraderie abound --- and we're here to encourage and support you.

I saw this mantra on a t-shirt recently, and it resonated with me, beyond all words to describe, and I want to share this with both of you today, Valbares & Jesse WI:

# Believe In The FIGHT!

Sending my ENCOURAGEMENT and SUPPORT to you both today!

Handshake, camaraderie, fellowship ~~~

CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
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