It's official

August 10th of last year I went in for a routine physical and part of that was a PSA to test for prostate cancer. For men in my age group, a reading of 0 - 4 is normal. Anything above that requires more testing and anything above 10 is almost a guarantee of cancer.

Mine was 44.80. Advanced prostate cancer.

After weeks of MRIs, PET scans, and a biopsy, my surgery was set for November 1st. The surgery was easy. In and out in 30 hours and I was a bit sore, but not bedridden. The bad part is that you have to wear a catheter and collection bag for about 8 - 10 days. I hate those things. It's not really painful, just awkward and a inconvenience.

On the other hand, they make long road trips a breeze and you can drink all the coffee you want.


After the surgery and another PSA that read higher than it should, they found 2 small spots where it had spread, so I had to have radiation treatments. 5 days a week for 8 weeks and it's an hour from my house. So, back and forth, every day at 8:45 AM I was laying on a table with my pants down getting zapped.

April 20th was my last treatment. Then they have to wait 3 months to test again. My last appointment with my Urologist/Medical Oncologist was August 18th and the last with my Radiation Oncologist was August 20th.

My PSA is now at 0.01 which they tell me is effectively 0.
Because testosterone feeds cancer, I have to continue on Eligard, a testosterone blocker, for another year [ have been on it for a year already ] and a PSA every 6 months for the next 2 years and then once a year for 3 years after that,, but according to them, I'm cured.


Me - 1
Cancer - 0

I win.

a reply to: DAVID64

HOORAY!!!

congratulations!

a reply to: DAVID64

Thank you for some good news.

It's nice to know there is hope for the overcomers.

a reply to: DAVID64

That was some Odyssey, David. It's great to know you've beaten it!

Fabulous!
Sincerely happy for you.
Happy Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: DAVID64

Congrats! Glad to hear it.

Fabulous!
Sincerely happy for you.
Happy Rainbows
Jane

Fabulous!
Sincerely happy for you.
Happy Rainbows
Jane

Wow. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You stuck in there. Good for you. Congrats! Medicine and doctors have their place in extending our life and making life more endurable while we are in this system.

Under Jesus' rule on earth a time will come when no one will say "I am sick!" His kingdom government will rid the earth of all sickness. What a wonderful time that will be!

"And no resident will say: “I am sick.”
The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error."
-Isaiah 33:24.

a reply to: DAVID64

told you things would eventually work out

...i really should get back to my card readings thread

a reply to: DAVID64

I am happy for you Truly .

Read This Book mate.

a reply to: DAVID64

Good for you! Some happy news around here for a change The mental battle is probably the hardest when fighting cancer or even it's behind you. Hope you're feeling great

a reply to: DAVID64

That's so great to hear...

Good news has become rare these days.
So thank you for sharing your story that brings hope and joy to the people?

And congratulations on beating cancer, that's just tremendous.
hope all goes well from here on out.

Congrats! Way to go!!!

a reply to: DAVID64
Fantastic news, congratulations!

a reply to: DAVID64
It's a happy ending - thanks so much for sharing your good news!!

Sending up a prayer of gratitude that we're not losing one of my favorite ATS family members!

Celebrate with some good BBQ!

Woo hoo!

So happy for you! Just keep up with the appointments, to keep an eye on things.
We'll be here, with positive thoughts!

a reply to: DAVID64

Some fantastic news !!
I dodged a bullet last year with one of my lungs and my Mum has just been cleared for recurring cancer so feel for you.
Really made up for you Butty.

a reply to: DAVID64

Congrats mate! What is your age, if you don't mind?
My father died of prostate cancer and I think they only caught it when he was in his early sixties.

I still need to have my first exam.