Five Years, Another Milestone

Brothers

Today is the five year anniversary of my diagnosis.

Remember it all vividly. Second PSA, MRI, CAT Scan, then a Bone Scan. During the bone scan my ribs and spine were lit up like a Christmas tree, when the tech failed to turn it away from my field of view.

The MRI Guided biopsy. I still have nightmares thinking about that test.

The urologist - Steve Scionti. Metastatic Prostate Cancer, as spread to the bones, hips, and spine. Crap. Brought my wife and I into the room, very sympathetic, and had a treatment plan set up right away. The shot of frimagon. Ouch. Two days later I turn 55.

My wife calling me, crying. Had just looked at the American Cancer Society website and saw that my projected longevity was five years. Still remember sitting with her, telling her all the things I was going to see - my milestones!

Phone calls looking for a medical oncologist referral. Visits to Dr. Matthew at Tufts and Dr. Pomerantz at Dana Farber. Was participating in the TAK-600 trail by New Years. Lupron and casodex, no TAk. That's ok, maybe I can help someone else. Participated in the trail until failure. Had to drive every three months through Boston to Hooksett, NH. Worst part of the treatment was the traffic.

Telling my children.

Summer 2014 - The chemo study comes out. I have already started Hormone Therapy, asking my MOs what they think. Deciding to hold off and stay the course.

High School Graduation for one of my daughters. She starts college (nursing) and is currently working as an nursing assistant at Beth Israel in the Oncology ward.

Watch her play college soccer.

Decide that there are no more trips to NH after Christmas 2016. At that time my PSA starts rising. Casodex vacation and then start on Zytiga.

Officiate my Godson's wedding.

Daughter No. 2 graduates High School. Wow Another milestone done.

September 2017 PSA starts climbing and we are watching my PSA.

Today November 19, 2018. Laurie I made five years, with nothing to say I can go another decade. Today's I will be 60. Just happy to be alive. SEs - don't care. I work, live my life, enjoy my family, pay my taxes, on and on and on.

I AM ALIVE. It doesn't get better than this, to stare your on mortality in the face and be able to say I am winning.

Keep fighting, keep living and most of all never give up.

Mike aka kmclark1

KM,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It put some smiles on my face. Here’s to the many milestones yet to come.

Mike,
We nearly match in our diagnosis, ( I recently posted about mine in Nov, 2012) We also match about the delivery of the news, the sudden jolt of the prognosis, and the journey into Zytiga. Great post, great attitude, keep the faith, I know we will have many many milestones to come!
Dan aka Wings

Hello KMCLARK1 ~

That's a meaningful milestone, my comrade!

I give thanks for the successful treatments that have carried you forward ~ and the meaningful LIFE EVENTS that have been part of your journey.

Another holiday season is around the corner ... and I realize I have also passed the five year milestone ... so I have a lot of gratitude this Thanksgiving season ... and I'm looking forward to a late night walk around my hometown on Christmas Eve, when I travel back home for Christmas ... and I'm going to give thanks when another New Year's Day rolls around after that ...

Thank you for sharing your story of success, KMCLARK1 ... your story encourages and INSPIRES others ...

Thank you for being a loyal member here on the website!

Handshake of friendship from across the miles, from "one brother to another brother" ~
CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University

Mike, what a great testament to living your life and not giving in to worry and fear. I'm not in a hurry but I look forward to hearing your 10 year update. Congratulations!