Posted 5/13/2009 2:58 PM (GMT -5)
The good news was my undectable. The bad news was that I was stuck by the Lupron harpoon again. 4 more months of hot flashes. But my next oncology appointment isn't until October ~ and we are stopping all treatments after this one wears off. My oncologist explained that it will take up to two years before my T levels will return to the normal range, so probably up to 2 years of hot flashes still. My T level on the last test was 50. The new one isn't back yet. Dr. V also said that while he is approving this to be the last injection, he thought 5 years on HT was even better than two in my case but he understood my desire to stop. He said the protocol I am on is working well and he is now following it more and more with strong results. By that he was referring to when I started at the clinic after surgery, I wanted to add adjuvant radiation to go with HT and I declined Taxotere. He said then that studies did not support the RT in advanced cases. He told me that is no longer the case and surgery/HT/RT is showing similar results in nearly 98% MTBF of advanced stage 3 cases at year 8. I will also remain on Casodex for 4 more months.
But I do have a good word for this ~ Woo-Hoo!
My PSA History
Octo ber 3, 2006 19.8 Blind PSA screening, was unaware my doctor took it during other tests.
October 10, 2006 18.9 Recheck PSA
Novembe r 27, 2006 13.9 Positive biopsy after antibiotics, Bone scan and CT clear
Surgery February 16, 2007 pT3b, N0,Mx, Gleaon 4+3=7, Positive margins, EPE, SVI
Februar y 28, 2007 0.9 1st oncology consultation
March 12, 2007 0.1 Considering sanofi-Aventis Chemo study
March 23, 2007 <0.1 1st Undetectable, Nadir
May 16, 2007 <0.1 Adjuvant hormone therapy started, Adjuvant IMRT three weeks later; Declined Taxotere
July 18, 2007 <0.1
September 19, 2007 <0.1 HT injection
January 29, 2008 <0.1 HT injection
May 9, 2008 <0.1 HT injection CTC=0, T=53
September 17, 2008 < 0.1 HT injection
January 13, 2009 <0.1 HT Injection, CTC=0 T-50
May 11, 2009 <0.1 Last HT injection T pending
I thank you all for the love and support. And I thank God for this wonderful blessing.
Tony