Thank you so much for the encouragement.. I will update after MO appointment next Fri.
Cyclone-ISU said...
Hello, SteveO ----
I'm mindful of you, following the news you shared in your post.
As you will see in my medical history below, I had lung involvement wrapped up in my diagnosis of prostate cancer in 2013.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer first, through biopsy confirmation.
My PSA was skyrocketing with each subsequent test, so I was then given a bone scan. That was negative.
From there, I was given a lung scan.
The lung scan showed that both of my lungs were both "peppered" with splotches and blotches of cancerous lung nodules --- scattered all throughout both lungs. I could not count them all, and didn't even want to ...
All of this this was confirmed by a lung nodule biopsy, which confirmed the nodules in my lungs were an offshoot of metastatic PROSTATE cancer.
In both my lungs?!! I was in disbelief.
I was in my 40s when I got this news. My treatments began immediately.
I was given my first ADT shot --- in my case, I started with LUPRON.
FINALLY, I started getting some good news ...
Within the first month, my PSA tumbled down from over 100 --- down into single digits. Even my doctor was amazed. That was a very good day, that I still remember clearly.
By the second month, after another LUPRON shot, my PSA tumbled down into decimals levels, below 1.00. Again, my doctor was amazed.
I remember him saying, you are having a "tremendous response" to the ADT shot.
PSA down into decimals, after just two LUPRON shots?!! I just wanted to share my experience with you, SteveO.
A few months later, as my ADT shots continued, my doctor decided it was time for a new lung scan.
I was filled with trepidation, and didn't know what to expect. Yet, my PSA had tumbled down into the decimal range.
That lung scan showed that ALL those cancerous lung nodules had disappeared from the scan. None of them remained.
The LUPRON shot had deprived the lung nodules of fuel --- in this case, testosterone --- and none of them remained. NONE of them ...
The scan showed where the nodules had been, with residual scarring. But the scan ALSO showed signs of healing, as my treatments continued.
That was 7 years ago now.
I have no breathing issues, whatsoever, and went on a five mile walk yesterday at a nearby lake.
Subsequent treatments, when they became FDA approved, were later added, to maintain my health goals. Those are all detailed below.
Because I was never offered surgery, I chose to pursue a series of chemotherapy treatments.
Later on, a series of radiation treatments were added. I have been on ZYTIGA for almost five years, and it has helped me a great deal.
I wanted to share my story, since I had lung involvement.
It's been seven years ago now. There's some hope wrapped up within my story, to share with you, SteveO.
I just saw my doctor last week, and my PSA was undetectable.
We live to fight another day! Sending you my encouragement.
With all my best, from across the miles,
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University