11 anniversaries since diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer

acssjm

Diagnosed at 63, I did not have the confidence at that time to believe I would live another 10 years. Yet, I just completed another follow-up visit in the past two weeks. My semiannual routine includes a blood draw for PSA and metabolic panel, followed by a visit to my oncologist's office. Given the many years of hormone therapy, they added a DEXA scan to check my bones.

Overall, they are happy with the results. PSA remains undetectable (might not be the most sensitive assay. My lipid levels remain elevated, so lipid-lowering medication may be inevitable in the near future, but it's not the end of the world. I hope my experience can encourage my fellow warriors. Living with prostate cancer is entirely achievable.

I also learned that the website for clinical trial matching that my oncologist pointed me to previously (inforeach.org) has added search for treatments recommended by clinical guidelines. It's quite intriguing as you can check if your treatment is consistent with the standard of care. Sharing this information for anyone who may want to check it out.

icanbeatthis

fantastic news gives me great hope for future

ProfWagstaff

Absolutely great news! Congratulations and best hopes for continued success! Keep kicking its butt!

VascodaGama

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1715535#Comment_1715535

Wow, surprised for seeing you posting again, ProfWagstaff. Years ago you dropped a smile in my face. I also thought that I had no cancer and no prostatectomy and as the years go by I had no treatment or any side effects.

Just surviving. 🙂😇

How are you? What are the news?

Steve1961

wow great

ProfWagstaff

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1715537#Comment_1715537

I've been away for a while but I just celebrated my 15th year as a stage3 survivor. I've not had any treatments in 13 years so I didn't want to give advice about treatments with knowledge that might be outdated. However, when giving the "survivor opening remarks" at Relay for Life I mentioned how important this network was in my first few years and encouraged all survivors to use it. I've been periodically lurking since then but thought this stage 4 survivor deserved some kudos. You're one of the people, along with Dakota Runner, that I remember giving me good advice when I was undergoing treatment. Thanks for that and glad you're still around, too.

Clevelandguy

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/328070/11-anniversaries-since-diagnosis-of-stage-4-prostate-cancer

Hi,

Great news, hope for many more years of undectables.

Dave 3+4

acssjm

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1715548#Comment_1715548

Thank you and congratulations on your treatment success!!