Gleason 9 - 2 years later...

Drinks are on me!!!

This week is the 2 year anniversary of my diagnosis when I was only 46 years old. I'm also 1 year post RP with undetectable PSA and doing pretty well. This is a milestone that I didn't know that I would see when first diagnosed. My prostate was described as fiery and misbehaving. My mets were wide and deep into the bones. At one point, one of my doctors said we would be considering emergency procedures in a few months just to make me comfortable.

As listed in my signature, the treatment has been aggressive and relentless. I am continuing indefinitely on Lupron and Casodex. My next target is 2 years after salvage radiation (late 2016) when I can hopefully take a Lupron vacation. I was "debulked" and have been experiencing good diagnostic results since. This is an "out of the box" approach but I have to say that I am relieved to have much of the known Cancer out of my body.

The combination of Taxotere and then Etoposide/Cisplatin chemos were a major factor in being able to move on to surgery and radiation. All of these treatments and an additional surgery in my chest left me with definite side effects. But I am here to experience them and thankful that I have more time with my family. I work hard to stay fit and have renewed my interest and efforts with good nutrition. I am certain that I feel better when I am eating right. It's painful to work out because of the mets that have stabilized in my hips and pubic/leg bones but I am focused on activity that will hopefully strengthen other areas to help carry the load.

I am extremely grateful for the ability to read about the journeys of my HW brothers and hope that my story provides some shred of hope for others here, especially the advanced, aggressive disease guys. While I am by no measure the sickest guy here, my experience is just another example that no matter how far the beast has advanced, we should just never give up hope.

I'm having a glass of wine, probably an Italian Barolo from 2006. What are you having?

Hi Gunner,

So good to hear your good news. Keep up the good fight, enjoy everyday. Your journey is inspirational thank you for sharing.

Theresa

Great news Gunner, hope to join you in a year or so!

Cheers, Doug

Fantastic report Gunner and inspirational. Shoot, I would drink the entire bottle of that wine if I were you.
Michael

Gunner,
I love that you courageously went for such an aggressive treatment - Taxotere+Etoposide+Cisplatin+debulking with surgery and radiation - that's heavy duty, and has obviously paid off. A man in my PC Support Group was diagnosed with small cell prostate cancer, a rare virulent form, and he's been reluctant to go the full-on chemo route. I'm going to share your story with him in the hope it will inspire him.

I'm drinking coffee this AM, but I'll toast to your health when I have a cocktail tonight. BTW- Barolo is one of my favorite wines.

- Allen

Thanks for the replies. I know I don't always have a lot to offer on HW in terms of technical expertise but hopefully my experience is enough. I know that early on in my diagnosis I searched for success stories and it just didn't seem like there were a lot out there. There are many here now, each with unique versions. I'm glad to be able to contribute.
Don - I sent you an email.
Tall Allen - if there is someone that wants to talk or email me, I'm happy to share more details. I know I appreciated being able to talk to someone when I first started with all of this. Just let me know and I'll turn on my email.

Thanks for that kind offer, Gunner. I'll ask him next month when I see him. His oncologist is recommending chemo, but he seems to be in denial, thinking that diet and supplements will do it for him. I've found it's often difficult to convince someone who is feeling fine right now, to take something that will make him feel worse for a while.

- Allen

Good news, throws some issues here out the door.
Shows you anything goes with this horrible beast.
Good job

I love Tanqueray & Tonic, with a twist of lemon, not lime.
Snobs are buying, hey wait let me check my wallet first

Gunner, thanks for posting your progress and congrats.

Though my case was not as severe as yours, I know what it;s like to be told treatable but not cureable palliative radiation only if pain gets too severe, and then to find a way to get combination treatments anyway.

Great to read two success stories in one night, yours and Goodlife's.

LupronJim

Gunner!

Glad to see you're doing well youngster. I just went out and bought a bottle of wine; it's a 'younger' Cabernet and could stand to air a bit, but raising a glass with you!

It's great to see how you've tackled it aggressively and kept your smile and attitude.

See you again soon I hope,

Ray

Fellow G9 Gunner, what a story! So young with such an aggressive PC and you have thrown even the kitchen sink at it. And it is definitely knocked off it's feet, dazed and confused. Tomorrow or very soon I will raise a glass of Red Tree Cab to the hope that it is down for the count. I hope all of those little bastid PC cells are actually dead, and suffered before they went out. ( I have been drinking mostly Red Tree lately since I discovered it was not only obviously cheap, but downright good! We only drink the higher $ stuff on occasion when feeling feisty!)

gunner, my case is close to yours ,, rad pro, 1yr later sav radation like 8 mos, due to psa rise started Lupron , was on for 2 years, then off for 9 mos of which my psa started to rise, so started back in nov 1st shot, and cass, ive had 5 good years, now all I have to get my psa to start coming back down ,I hope my psa was 12 before my rad pro, and just 1 yr before it was normal, so who knows , good luck to you and God BLESS, Kenny 123

Gunner, good life, and Kenny,
You are a real inspiration to the G 9 members and those newly dx can see hope that there is opportunity to "battle this beast" and prevail! Shaba Doug, hope to see you join those guys for a celebratory drink real soon...you're almost there. Cheers guys! Celebrate Life!
Beth for Gary