Living with Prostate Cancer

By gregory

1 min read

I am 61, been on active surveillance for 9 months. Gleason score was 6 and PSA 8 then last PSA check 3 months ago 15.3 - next appointment in a month. I always thought of myself as a kind of superman - over 30 surgeries from 3 car accidents, 3 motorcycle accidents, 1 four wheeler accident, fallen off 3 roofs. Parts cut out and off but I am still here. So thought of myself as unstoppable! A superman but, this damn prostate cancer feels like my Kryptonite, slowing killing me day by day. Wears on me mentally and physically. Was on a waiting list for a clinical trial but had to go off it for a hip replacement. Now waiting to go back on the list again. Anyone do the Immunotherapy? Thanks.

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Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi Gregory. Your concerns are completely understandable and it is good that you are looking at options, as you describe an almost 100% increase in your PSA. The good news is that coming from a Gleason 6, you probably have lots of options - of course, only a doctor can provide specifics on diagnosis. You asked about immunotherapy, so you may want to look at this article from our editorial team offering more details: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/bgc-reviews-how-well-works-side-effects' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/bgc-reviews-how-well-works-side-effects/</a>. In addition, this Q&A discussion is on immunotherapy: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/q-and-a/immunotherapy-treatment' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/q-and-a/immunotherapy-treatment/</a>. Also, as I mentioned, you may have many options and this article looks at various treatment options for PCa: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/treatment' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/</a>. You doctor should be able to provide additional information. Finally, know that successful treatment is possible and there are many men in this community that can attest to this. We're here for you anytime you need information or support. Please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
randyj Member
After 15 yrs of fighting this disease it has progressed a lot faster the last 6 months. I've had surgery, Provenge, clinical trial with Xtandi for over 3 yrs, now I'm on Zytiga and will probably be going on Docetaxel after my next scans. I looked into radium 223 with the doctor but he said it's mainly for bone pain of which I've never had. No brain, no pain I guess. It's in T1, T8, sternum, rib and right eye orbit bones. I can tell you that in that last 3-4 months I feel the same as the previous commentator. Each day feels like a little bit of me is dying.
1. ninaw Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3262305" username="randyj"/> , you've been through the ringer. The fact that it's progressing faster now would be enough to send anyone to a pretty difficult place emotionally. In addition to tagging the author here, <inline-mention user-id="3261937" username="gregory"/> , I also wanted to tag <inline-mention user-id="3269760" username="redbank"/> who wrote a status update a while back about living with Stage IV and mentions Docetaxel. Here's a link to it: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/members/redbank/activity/3155/#acomment-3163' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/members/redbank/activity/3155/#acomment-3163</a>. While I know mental health support isn't an option for everyone, some folks have found therapists or social workers in-hospital or via support groups to be really helpful. I hope you'll continue reaching out here just to vent and connect with other folks. Sending strength, Nina, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team