Epiphany: I Ain’t Gonna Die From Prostate Cancer

By Dan Franke

2 min read

I was diagnosed at age 55 in March of 2008. It's now 2022, and I’m sneaking up on 70, as of my writing this. Still here! Over the course of these 14 years I have believed that I was going to die from this disease at least three times, maybe more. I've gone as far as having several unofficial wakes at my house as family gathered to say goodbye.

Having my epiphany

This year after a PSMA scan showed nothing, I felt like I could maybe finally unload this free loader. The gold standard scan found zippo, nada, nothing, praise God!

However, my PSA is rising for the third time. Now since 2018. But it's like an earthworm on a rainy day: very slow. My last reading showed .252. Doc says we wont get excited until it hits 7.0. No treatments since 2015.

The epiphany I had hit me at a patient ambassador conference I was attending. There were prostate cancer types at varying stages of health and a great guest speaker (survivor of testicular and lung cancer). We all shared our stories. I noticed that I was the guy that’s had PC the longest. If I dare say, I’m in pretty good shape considering. I figured it ain’t gonna get me; I think I'll die from old age or one of my other passengers like heart or bladder cancer. But I've got those under control as well now.

Snap shot of my health since 2008

2008 stage T3c prostate cancer. A radical prostatectomy. Six cycles of Taxotere, Lupron, and Casodex for several years off and on. Last treatment in 2015.
Heart attack 2010. One stent.
PAD both SFA’s blocked 100%. Couldn’t hardly walk. Seven stents.
Bladder cancer 2015. Caught early stage zero. TURBT and then yearly follow-up.
AFIB and A-flutter several years after chemo. Countless cardio conversions, much medicine, and two ablation procedures.
Bariatric surgery. Roux-en-Y. Dropped a tiny 150 pounds. I had blown up to 350 pounds with chemo and not giving a damn. Once I figured that I was going to live, I decided I should lose the weight.

So now what?

I still have the three amigos hanging around: prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and heart issues. But with time comes tolerance. I no longer fear the outcome. I have learned to really enjoy my life. No long-range plans – just today.

I still see the whitecoats periodically, but not as often as when I was getting ready to die. Each time I see my heart doctor, I ask to get off of prescribed medicine and increase the time periods between my visits. I do the same with my oncologist and urologist, too.

I'm down to taking one pill these days for AFIB; that's it. It is on my hit list.

Blessed with second chances

I do realize that I'm blessed with second chances and have earned some of the good outcomes by losing weight, getting my mind right with positive thoughts, getting my heart problems under control, and hitting the gym regularly and moving around a lot.

I've improved my spirituality and am becoming a pretty good guitar player. My biggest thrill is being a solid husband, father, and papaw to seven. So to being here and smiling more.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Dan Franke" user-id="4179879"/> A really great article and it describes what so many of us face. I too have had my share of medical battles with several cancers, COVID and more. This past January no one including me thought I was going to survive a nasty bout of COVID Pneumonia . The one truth that comes to mind is no matter how much I worry - none of that changes the outcome. In spite of my worries life goes on at its own pace and unexpected "stuff" just happens. You either learn to roll with it or it consumes you emotionally and physically. I do a lot of rolling these days and it appears you do as well . 😀 I am not one to isolate and highly recommend reaching out to other people. To that end I recently discovered a grief share group that has been helpful in allowing me to get through the emotional challenges surrounding the recent death of my wife. An added plus is I am meeting some nice folks along the way who share similar experiences. These are people I would have never met prior to this and thats not all bad. I hate to say it but all of the challenges we face in life on so many levels does tend to make us more resilient in ways that are impossible to describe. While none of this is fun ... it does tend to focus ones attention on the importance of spirituality in our lives. Amen to that one Dan .....Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
peekaafighter Member
One of the issues attached to Prostate Cancer is whether a patient dies from it or with it. The “d” word, unfortunately, begins to take centre stage. This positive write up should be an inspiration to all affected with its stress on the “present moment”.
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
We all need as much inspiration as we can get - Pain is due to a physical issue - Stress is self inflicted -- a message I say to my self quite often Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
kenneth1955 Member
Good morning Dan Things will happen through our lives. They do say that if you do not get anything in 2 years it will not come back but you see what happen and you were ready for it. I have never had a heart attack but I have been dealing with every thing to a point. At 47 I was told I had cancer of the prostate Had every test you have to have, Turned out to be a bad prostate infection. No cancer. At 58 my prostate was enlarge. BPH It was close tight. I had a Urolift done 4 clips. It has been over 8 years and still open. That same year I had Sepsis. That was a mess. It was so bad everything was turning off. Almost died. Spent 6 day on IV's and then went home every morning had a treatment for another 12 days.
Stocker34 Member
Did U have any side effects from the Lupron. I had a lot of fatigue and lethargy. Alan in AZ 
1. Len Smith Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Stocker34" user-id="3256457"/> I wish I’d only had fatigue and lethargy (I had both) from my one 6 month injection of Lupron I had in June, 2015. But I got severe depression from it also that I’m still dealing with. I’ve been on 2 antidepressant drugs for almost 7 years that help, but they’re not a cure-all for it. I hope your fatigue and lethargy are behind you. I find walking 4 to 4 1/2 miles about 5 or 6 days a week really helps with the still present Lupron side effects. All the best. Len Smith Moderator
has1947 Member
Dan, congratulations on your prognosis. I’ve struggled with the beast for 7 years now and I’m 75. The combination of regular vigorous exercise , the support of my family and some friends, and my faith has been my key, I think. I’m ready to fight this beast til the end.
Digger Member
Hi Dan sorry to hear hear that,I don’t know what to think about psa test anymore I had blood work done and went from.02 to .03 I have stage four metatastic prostate cancer hormone therapy has been working great with the radiation I had last fall I feel good look good a week after blood work I had a pain in lower back my Dr thought maybe kidney stones ct scan found another mass of aggressive prostate cancer after biopsy i just had my first chemo treatment how can my psa not pick that up I don’t understand what a let down Dave
1. Dan Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Digger" user-id="4261519"/> That kind of sucks. I know its kind of crazy. PSA is the only thing I kind of trust right now. Just saw my oncologist today. Says I got good cancer-will die of something else --see you in six months. I'm good with that. I just lost a friend recently that had the same stage as me-his cancer got in his lymph nodes and went crazy. An eye opener for me-will keep checking PSA and scanning for sure. Good luck.
Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
Dan, It sounds like you've been on one amazing journey! While medical science has kept you alive, it sounds like your inner strength has allowed you to LIVE. The PSA and the PSMA are interesting. While you had a basically clean PSMA with a PSA of .252, I think rather than using 7.0 as a marker for further worry; you might want to get a PSMA any time your current PSA doubles. I have told my story before, but just to reiterate; my PSA very slowly crept up to 0.4 TWENTY SIX YEARS after my prostatectomy. With that low PSA I got a PSMA that showed a hole slightly smaller than a dime in the bone just above my tailbone. That bone got blasted with radiation and the cancer there is all but gone. My point is that a periodic PSMA might find an import one or two metastases at the stage they can be easily dealt with. Having said that, it seems to me that you "ain't gonna die" of prostate cancer! Congrats on your weight loss, your general attitude and your willingness to share it all with the rest of us! Good luck and good health!
1. Dan Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Jim Early" user-id="4566171"/> Jim I will continue with yearly scans. I know its there-just too little to find it right now. But thanks for the sound advice. Dan Franke, moderator, prostate <a href='https://cancer.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>cancer.net</a>..
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Dan Franke" user-id="4179879"/>, Your journey is absolutly amazing!!! I can't even find words to say right now. I loved your strenght and positive attitude. My father got PC at 72. He is now 89 and going strong. Your words remind me so much of him. He also has several other major illnesses. Thanks for sharing so much of "you" with us. It really touched my heart. Diane (Team Member)
1. Dan Franke Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Diane Talbert" user-id="3268418"/> Thanks for the encouragement. The only thing positive you can do with this stuff is help others go through it. Cancer is hitting my family hard this year daughter is 3/4 ways through a double mastectomy. My wife just diagnosed with BC this morning. Disease sucks-just got to keep walking through it until you reach the sunshine again. DanFranke, moderator, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>prostatecancer.net</a>.
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Dan Franke" user-id="4179879"/>, Sending so many gentle hugs to you! My grandmother used to say to me when I would complain as a teenager - you really think your life is so bad, just walk in someone elses shoes. I didn't understand at the time what she was telling me, but I do now. I hope you reach the sunshine soon. Diane (Team Member)