THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2014 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.
Initial PSA blood tests for drivers licence medical after 4 tests was 8.9, 9.2, 9.4, 9.0 last week July 2011. PSA had risen from normal to 9.0 in a year. No indication on DRE.
Biopsy/Ultrasound Aug 30/11 confirmed PCa tumor in RH side approx 60-80% pos of 3/4 RH needles. Gleason score 5+4=9 . Stage T2b.
Tests, CT scan, Nuclear bone scan and X-rays all negative.
Radical prostatectomy including pelvic lymph performed November 15, 2011. 5 Days in hospital. Due to overzealous/improper irrigation of catheter by nurse in hospital. I had catheter and stomach drain in for 7 weeks due to urine leakage inside cavity. Approx 300-400 ml/24 hrs. Had cystogram at 6 weeks to confirm leakage at connection of urethra to bladder. Finally healed up at 7 weeks and both removed Dec 31/11. Surgeon happy with operation and recovery/healing. Though he was not real happy with the nurse who irrigated.
Pathology suggested a follow up with radiation would be necessary in a few months around prostate area, just for good measure.
Blood test PSA at 8 weeks was 47. WTF?? Surgeon and Cancer Clinic thought it must be mistake. Redo & Blood test PSA at 9 weeks was 61. OMG.... I am devastated !!
Began Casodex at 10 weeks (January 22, 2012) and prescribed to start Lupron 3 month injection at 12 weeks and new PSA blood test then too.
Bladder operation/incontinence is good with no diaper or pad usage....just have to be real careful, think/hold when coughing ,sneezing or the proper care when getting up from sitting or laying down especially on a full bladder. This should improve with time.
There has been some stirring in the erection dept and tried Levitra with some semi-hard results, thanks to a wonderful caring girlfriend. We decided we wanted to try something now instead of later as ADT2 has a great record of no libido. We will try some other drugs before the Lupron shot. Wishing for the best....
Steve
Lupron 3-month injection took place in the Hospital. PSA had dropped to 41. I was admitted after collapsing with serious back spasms. MRI showed compression fracture in L5. Went thru 3 month long layup and period of rest. Retested PSA @ with 3 weeks left on Lupron shot. I was Castrate and DHT low too but.... I had failed w/Lupron. Yes it left a big hole in my libido and sexual function. I was also an emotional mess, cried and had a hard time dealing with lots.
Doc then decided Degarilex or Firmagon was the next best choice and started 1 month injections in end of April. My PSA continued to rise. Due to rising level in steady bone Pain, My oncologist and radiologist @ the Cancer Clinic decided on EBRT to the lower back and a shot to the lower pelvic area, Hips and prostate bed in early Apr. We had still not found the reason for the climbing PSA even after MRI, Bone Scan and CT Scan. Will try them all again in 3 months. Had EBRT also to ribs on back to ease Pain, Had trouble getting a good breath. Next MRI in beginning of August 2013 showed a tumour in upper spine At T7- T8. I had EBRT to the upper spine in August.
After a Bone Scan, CT Scan showing increasing Mets and pain level climbing. Also had some difficulty with Pins/needles feeling from the upper waist down (pressure on the spinal cord). We decided to start Chemotherapy...Taxotere Q21. My first flooding was Sept 18th 2012. It would follow a close 3 week cycle thru till now ..... My last flooding the 10th takes place Mar 26th/13.
PSA #'s in 2012 Feb-41, Mar-32, Apr5th- 35, Apr26th-40, May24th-57,Jun25-63, Jul17-87, Aug 23-100, Sept17- 140, Oct31-120, Nov20-61, Dec11-38, Then 2013 Jan2nd-41, Jan20th-25, Feb13th-20, Mar3rd-15
Steve's e-mail address is: beachrelic AT hotmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")
NOTE: Steve has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.
