quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
All the best.

Thank you! The best will be when my scope comes in and I can get to the range with my new pea shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I’m very sorry you have to go through this, Pace.

Thanks, Doc! Sorry to hear about your in-laws. Cancer sucks

My wife fought her cancer hard (NSCLC). Radiation, chemo, clinical trials, hundreds of hours, thousands of miles, for 2-1/2 years. I brought her to each and every one. That was 14 years ago. Sure wish she was still around to return the favor.

New Year Update:

Completed 20 sessions IMRT 10/27, 55Gy total. Noted side effects – extreme fatigue and some gastric discombobulation. Otherwise well tolerated.

Final cancer staging by RO: Prostate Adenocarcinoma Stage IVB (cT3a, cN1, cM1c, GG5)

December bloodwork OK although PSA did rise very slightly. March numbers will determine if it’s an issue or not and if more aggressive treatment is considered. (chemo)

Heart rhythm is a little whacky, likely a side effect of ADT drugs and/or radiation. Spent Christmas with a CAM patch on. Showed 20% PVC burden with a couple of single event arrythmias so I added an EP Cardiologist to my doctor collection. I have great confidence in my care team. This guy, not so much. Kinda reminded me of the kid in grade school that was always getting yelled at for spacing out in class. He ordered an ECHO and sent me back to cardio-oncology. He said he would not do anything unless CO signed off. I told him not to worry because there was zero chance I was going to let him stick a catheter in my heart anyway. We’ll see what next week’s ECHO says. Told cardiology that I did not want them to fix my heart too well because I’d much rather drop dead of heart failure than lay around with end stage cancer. ADT medication side effects suck. Always tired, painful joints and a few other things, but sure beats chemo. Still can't pee on my own and use catheters 5-6 times a day but I'm so used to it, it's not a big deal anymore.

Get your PSA tested, you guys 50+!! Do not wait like I did. Caught early, prostate cancer is easily survivable. Caught late like mine, not so much.

That’s it for now and it’s a beautiful morning and I’m still on the right side of the grass so it’s a pretty great day so far…

Happy New Year!

The right mindset goes a long way during times like this, and you seem to have it in spades! Prayers for you!

Well...March bloodwork just came in. No bueno. Looks like current cancer meds have stopped working. Haven't heard from doc yet but I see a PET scan and Docetaxel in my immediate future.

Cancer sucks!

Sorry to hear this. Doubling up on prayers for you.

Thanks, K. How goes your battle?

May 2026 Update...

Good news - Lymph system has responded well to treatment.

Bad news - Prostate and lower back have not. Apparently, there's a reason my back hurts.

Awaiting the medical brain trust to come up with revised treatment plan.

_____________________________

For the forum docs...

PET CT GA-68 PSMA
Collected on Apr 30, 2026 10:53 AM

Increased focal PSMA activity in the RIGHT apical prostate adjacent to fiducial marker since 6/6/2025. Decreased PSMA activity in the LEFT apical prostate.

Increased PSMA activity and sclerosis associated with L5 vertebral body osseous metastasis.

Interval resolution of PSMA avid metastatic lymphadenopathy in the pelvis, retroperitoneum, and mediastinum.

Narrative
PET/CT PSMA ILLUCCIX FOR PROSTATE TUMOR IMAGING

HISTORY: Oligometastatic prostate cancer, diagnosed in May 2025. Radiation therapy September-October 2025. On systemic therapy. Rising PSA level.
Findings:

Neck: No suspicious tracer avid disease.

Chest: No suspicious tracer avid disease.

Abdomen/Pelvis: Fiducial markers in the prostate gland. Increased focal tracer activity in the RIGHT apical prostate adjacent to a fiducial marker, max SUV 19.3, previously 11.1. Decreased tracer activity in the LEFT apical prostate, max SUV 7.8, previously 10.0.

Interval resolution of tracer avid metastatic lymphadenopathy in the pelvis, retroperitoneum, and mediastinum.

Bones: Increased tracer activity associated with sclerotic lesion in the L5 vertebral body, current max SUV 17.5, previously 11.9. Increased sclerosis since prior study. No new tracer avid osseous lesions identified.
__________________________________

MRI LUMBAR SPINE W WO CONTRAST
Collected on May 04, 2026 5:09 PM
Impression

Osseous metastatic disease replaces the marrow of the L5 vertebral body. More diffuse marrow heterogeneity is noted which is likely related to diffuse marrow infiltration.

Findings:

Diffuse marrow replacement is identified in the L5 vertebral body. This is consistent with osseous metastatic disease. No significant epidural component is demonstrated. Diffuse heterogeneous marrow signal suspicious for marrow infiltration is noted throughout the lumbar spine and sacral region.

No compression deformities are noted. The distal spinal cord and conus is of normal signal intensity.

Broad-based disc bulges are present at all levels in the lumbar region. A superimposed central disc protrusion is noted at L2-L3. A superimposed LEFT paracentral disc protrusion is noted at L4-L5.

Moderate bilateral foraminal narrowing is noted at L5-S1.

Wishing you the best.

Hang in there! Fight the beast!

Best wishes!

Cancer does suck.

Keep your positive attitude.

Cheers~

God always has the last say. We pray for favor and your complete and permanent healing and recovery in Jesus's Mighty Holy Healing Name !!! AMEN !!! Believe and receive !!!

I should start a thread on my very sudden discovery of having leukemia

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
I should start a thread on my very sudden discovery of having leukemia

Why not...but you should definitely jump on MCC...

link

Best wishes with the battle.