Superman

By Leeroy21

1 min read

If what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I must be Superman!

PSA went from 6 to 30...Quick timeline...June 26, 2020. MRI results were positive. Biopsy/Gleason score 9. Started with Casodex for 2 weeks. First of four Lupron shots. PSA started going down. Started radiation treatments (44).

The hormone treatments were taking their toll on me

At least 75% of all side effects. I'll list, starting with the worst:

I was an emotional wreck. When the doctor finally told me I may need to be on hormone therapy for a year or two I lost it... No more Lupron for me! Last shot in November.
Hot flashes/meltdowns, cold chills, heat sensitivity every hour or so 24/7
No energy
Weight gain
No libido
Incontinency....I'll stop there

Talking to my doctor

I had a heart-to-heart discussion with the doctor about other medications available. Now I'm taking Erleada. It's working. PSA .3..... Still recovering from Lupron.

Feeling stronger

It's been a year since diagnosis. Feeling stronger and not as emotional. I still have hot flashes not as severe or often. I love my $15 turbofans from Wal-Mart. Better have good insurance for Erleada... $14,000 for 120 tablets. I have found strength in reading others' stories/fight against good cancer...... I hope the best for all affected. Take care.

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.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
We must be related 😉 Also a Gleason 9 here and YUP every effect you listed with Lupron I experienced as well. I only had one shot of Lupron prior to radiation that was supposed to last 6 months. It took 14 months before things settled down. I was an emotional mess, hot flashes, no sleep, what libido, 30 lb weight gain and total loss of body hair etc. For me the radiation was not an issue. I did a video diary on my 40 treatments of radiation and the many joys I experienced with Lupron - Our local hospital often refers patients to it - and if interested it can be found at TheProstateCancerCoach.com under videos. Hope you are doing well with all of this
Will Jones Moderator
<inline-mention username="Leeroy21" user-id="3261709"/> You've been through quite an ordeal. My journey is more of the garden variety, but I can relate to the emotional toll that diagnosis and treatment exacts on us. Glad to hear that you're PSA is diminishing and that you're feeling stronger!
Leeroy21 Member
Good day. Thanks for sharing. I wanted to add a little bit about myself. I'm married, 35 years. Just turned 67. Retired at 63. I worked in engineering as a designer at the Kennedy Space Center 33 years. I would not have been able to keep the pace at work with this condition/treatments. Being retired has been a positive. I was a tough guy, at least I thought I was, lol. PC has changed all that. Its hard to stay motivated when you feel so bad. I surf, go to the gym, bike, walk, fly remote control planes etc., hit golf balls, dabble with my music (drums, guitar, harmonica). I'm not doing much outdoors cant 
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Leeroy21" user-id="3261709"/>. Sounds like you are managing to keep pretty busy. Hoping the side effects start to subside soon. As a side note: I worked at NASA HQ in the Office of the Chief Engineer under Chris Scolese. Completely understand what you said about the hours. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)