Posted 1/3/2022 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, AJAMES@1981 ---
It's a new year, and we welcome you here as a fellow compadre and "battle brother" ...
We have some common threads woven into our treatment story.
I, too, have been on ADT shots since diagnosis, followed by a series of TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusions, followed by 45 radiation treatments. In time, my oncologist suggested I start a newer breakthrough medication called ZYTIGA (Abiraterone Acetate).
I was the youngest prostate cancer patient being treated at my clinic --- and I was their first prostate cancer patient to go through the "early chemo plan" with TAXOTERE shortly after diagnosis --- and their first patient to start ZYTIGA --- a daily prostate cancer medication.
I give thanks --- each day --- that this multi-layered series of treatments helped me immensely.
My diagnosis occurred --- quite unexpectedly --- when I was still in my 40s. I'm a public school teacher and I had just started another new school year.
Not wanting to miss any school days, I would dash to the hospital after school --- for a seemingly endless series of scans and tests.
My PSA --- with each subsequent test --- was skyrocketing up over 100. The scans also found that both of my lungs were also already infiltrated with cancerous nodules --- metastatic involvement.
When my doctor showed me the lung scans, I had no words --- there were so many lung nodules, I could not count them all.
As you know, nothing prepares a fellow for all of this. I felt like a tumbleweed in a whirlwind.
There were worrisome fears, anxious thoughts, uncertainties, and sleepless nights.
I remember thinking, "Can I even make it to CHRISTMAS?"
From your post --- shared in honest terms --- I hope it helps to know that others here DO understand. We all walk alongside each other here.
I knew I needed to start my battle, and I felt very determined. My treatments started immediately.
As you shared, there are tough days, along the way --- and you have to summon strength and resilience --- like never before.
As in your case, my treatments began having a true IMPACT --- and my PSA began tumbling down, as the weeks went by. In time, my doctors suggested an updated lung scan.
It was the moment of truth -- and --- miraculously --- the lung scan showed the resolution of those dreaded lung nodules --- leaving only scars.
My doctor was thrilled --- because scars meant the lung nodules had shriveled up. That night, I actually gave THANKS for lung scars!
I wanted to share my story with you, because what I needed more than anything when I was first diagnosed and starting treatments --- I needed HOPE.
This website helped instill a sense of hope within me --- along with steadfast encouragement from my family, friends, and medical team.
I am stepping into my ninth year of survivorship, since being diagnosed in 2013. I just celebrated my ninth Christmas and New Year's Day since diagnosis.
That's the hope I want to share with you TODAY --- as this new year dawns.
I'm so thankful you posted. I connected to the experiences and thoughts you shared.
Your story -- and honest words --- will resonate with others --- and will encourage others to post here for the first time, too.
One thing I have learned, over time, since my diagnosis --- summed up this way:
"I can't promise you that it's always going to be easy, but I can assure you it's going to be WORTH IT!"
A t-shirt mantra I saw this summer that resonates one, that I want to share with you today:
# BELIEVE IN THE FIGHT!
We welcome you here as a compadre, AJAMES@1981!
With my best to you, looking forward towards the FUTURE ~
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University