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My dad just got diagnosed with Stage 4 PC at the age of 62

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Posted 1/16/2017 10:05 PM (GMT -5)
I'm here for support more than anything and hoping to hear from others who have stage 4 PC that has spread to the bones. My dad goes the the medical oncologist tomorrow after having a PET scan today and an MRI last week. The Urologist put him on a hormone therapy to treat the prostate cancer. Is radiation an option for the places on the bones? I understand there is no cure but is stage 4 something my dad could live with for many years with treatment to stop it from spreading? He doesn't have any pain, relatively healthy otherwise but he's very discouraged right now because Everytime he goes to the doctors his is told more bad news.
Posted 1/16/2017 10:31 PM (GMT -5)
arodge,
I have been here a long time and I can certainly tell you that many stage 4 cases have arrived here and done very well for many years. Some have achieved a remission and have yet to suffer recurrence. I run a live support group where men have survived 10+ years and are doing well.

The first days at this are the hardest. Hearing things you never wanted to hear after a diagnosis is very disheartening and outright scary. But it's still early on for your father and learning about the disease will help him immensely.
Posted 1/16/2017 10:36 PM (GMT -5)
Diagnosed Stage 4 here over 10 years ago. Lots of options. I will reply more tomorrow
Posted 1/16/2017 10:51 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, there is much hope, despite this being quite serious. Look at some examples of signatures. If you can create a signature with details it will help some of the more knowledgeable ones here give you better advice. But there is a good bit of hope!
Bill in MS
Posted 1/16/2017 11:55 PM (GMT -5)

Hello ARODGE,

I want to share some HOPE with you and your father. We've all stood in that spot where your family stands right now. We have all experienced the sobering feelings that accompany the dreaded news of a cancer diagnosis ... and the worries and anxieties along the way.

HOPE will start to creep into your lives, once you begin to wrap your mind around the diagnosis and begin to form a "battle plan" when your father's treatments begin. That's right ... HOPE ! The fellows here are a testament to the fighting spirit that will emerge within you AND your father ... it takes some time ... but I assure you, you will begin to gain strength and courage, once your father's treatments begin.

In my case, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer when I was in my 40s. My initial PSA was over 100 at the time of my diagnosis. The cancer had already infiltrated both of my lungs by the time I was diagnosed. Sobering news, to be certain ... and very unexpected after a lifetime of perfect health.

I had just attended my 30th high school class reunion. I'm a school teacher and had been teaching about 25 years when I was diagnosed, just as a new school year was beginning. I was just "kicking off" a new school year with a new group of school students when I received the news of my diagnosis.

My treatments began immediately, in the form of ADT hormone shots to begin "starving" the cancer cells. That was a powerful image in my mind that began to restore my sense of HOPE ... a powerful shot that helps to "starve and strangle" many prostate cancer cells. By the time I went back for my first check-up, my PSA was tumbling dramatically ... and I began to feel my fighting spirit, courage, and sense of HOPE emerging !

Ever since that day, my treatments have continued. I've pursued a variety of treatments, as revealed in my treatment history revealed beneath my signature at the bottom of this post. There are many of us here --- united as a "band of brothers" --- and we all support each other in incredible ways.

You've found a caring corner of the world right here, I assure you. You and your father and members of your family can check in here on this website for immediate support. We have members here from "every corner of the country" ... and we also have valued members from across the globe, as well.

Here on this website ... bonds form ... support emerges ... friendships ensue ... loyalty exists ... and comaraderie abounds ! We're thankful you're here ... and we are here to support you AND your father along the way ...

Our members gathered here will listen ... they will share their treatment experiences with you ... they will offer advice, if needed ... they will offer support and encouragement ... and that's our collective goal.

Check in here often, as your father begins his medical treatments ... the members here have years' worth of treatment experiences, gathered over time, that you will find to be informative, insightful, and helpful ...

Something to share with your father ... he needs to hear some stories of HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT right now ... I have forged ahead with my full-time teaching career ... I have continued to pursue volunteer work ... I exercise daily ... I still enjoy my hobbies and pastimes ... and I have kept up with community events and social events ...

I recently celebrated my fourth Christmas since being diagnosed ... on New Year's Eve, I attended a reunion with my old college roommates ... holidays and milestones ... getting together with friends and family ... the list goes on ... daily accomplishments ... forging ahead ... facing forward ... and LIVING THE EVERYDAY MOMENTS OF LIFE.

You might want to share this personal testimonial with your father ... he's received some tough news lately ... and just knowing that he is NOT ALONE is going to encourage him right now. Further support will emerge from neighbors, friends, relatives, and members of the community ...

Since I was diagnosed, several of my friends have also been diagnosed with prostate cancer ... friends from my hometown, college years, church friends, work colleagues, and friends from the community where I teach. I have formed a bond of brotherhood with each one of them ... we check on each other and support each other as our treatments continue.

Over the course of time, I have adopted a personal philosophy that you might wish to share with your father. I'll share it with you in these words ... although a cancer diagnosis might be a CHAPTER in your life's story now, don't EVER let a cancer diagnosis turn into the title of your BOOK OF LIFE ... words to think about, words to reflect upon, words to encourage you each day as your treatments begin.

Several of us here have banded together lately and we have created a meaningful thread that I would like to share with you. Up in the top right-hand corner of your screen, you will see a search box. In that search box, type this thread title into the search box: LETTERS TO THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED.

Please read through that thread ... you and your father and your family will find it meaningful, encouraging, and inspirational ...

Through it all ... the most important thing that I have learned ... there is no substitute for the importance of family, friends, and faith, in whatever form that takes for you and your father ...

Some weeks ago, I suddenly realized that I have witnessed over 1,000 sunrises and sunsets since being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer ... and I feel grateful for the meaningful treatment successes I have experienced since the day I was first diagnosed. I have a lot to be thankful for ...

I hope that my story will give you and your father some COURAGE and HOPE, as your father begins his medical treatments ... there are so many new treatments and breakthrough medications that have emerged in the fight against prostate cancer ... many of which have become available just within the past few years ... again, more hope and encouragement to share with you.

Check in here often for ongoing support from our members ... with that in mind, we'll leave the front porch light on for you and your father !

Sharing my hope and encouragement with you, your father, and your family,
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University
Posted 1/16/2017 11:59 PM (GMT -5)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

as has been said, there is plenty of reason to hope. There are lots of treatments and new ones come along all the time. The HT will work and should work for a long time and will stop the PC right in it's tracks. The problem happens when HT stops working and you have to switch drugs and treatment plans, but even then there are tons of things that can be done.

Generally they only do RT on spots (mets) on the bones if they are causing pain. Doubt your father will need that right away.

Hang in there, and ask all the questions you want - we're here most days,
Andrew
Posted 1/17/2017 12:04 AM (GMT -5)
Not to worry. I was dx over 2 years ago stage IV w/ bone mets. Doing great and feel great today w/ undetectable PSA. Your dad will be with you for a long time. Lots of treatment options now with more forthcoming. tell him to keep his head up high and march forward.
We are here for you and him always.
Posted 1/17/2017 1:55 AM (GMT -5)
My DH also stage 4 with widespread bone mets. We welcome you and hope you hang around. You can read Gary's info in the signature.
Posted 1/17/2017 7:31 AM (GMT -5)
Wow everyone thank you so much! Just what I needed today before we find out more from the doctor. I keep telling him he needs to join the HW or some kind of forum but I think he's scared of what he may read right now. For now, I will relay your positive words. Thank you everyone. I'll check back in after we hear from the doctor.
Posted 1/17/2017 3:57 PM (GMT -5)
Spot radiation to the bones is for pain and to prevent fractures in supporting bones. Since he is newly diagnosed and hormone sensitive, he will get hormone therapy, which will maintain him for a long time, hopefully. Depending on the number of mets, his oncologist may recommend chemotherapy (Taxotere) with that because that has been found to further extend survival for a median of a year and a half. Recently, it was found that the combination of Celebrex (an anti-inflammatory) and Zometa (a bone preserving agent) increased survival by 20%. Other (less certain) options may include treatment of the prostate, and various clinical trials.
Posted 1/17/2017 3:58 PM (GMT -5)
Well, my dad is starting chemo next week. Once every 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments. He has a place on his arm and spine and in some lymph nodes. However, his PSA dropped from 51 to 11 just since being on the HT. That's good right? I guess it's hard to accept good news when you're told more bad news. He isn't taking the news well but doesn't hesitate to do what the Dr wants him to do which is good. My mother on the other hand didn't take it too well. I think they hear "chemo" and think the absolute worst. The chemo he will be taking is Docetaxil? If that's how you spell it. Anyone have any experience with this? Side effects etc?

Thank you
Posted 1/17/2017 5:28 PM (GMT -5)
Docetaxel - the brand name is Taxotere. Put it in the search bar and you can read many experiences with it.

It's always a challenge to deal with what people have experienced or heard about other cancers when they think it applies to prostate cancer. Chemo, especially. Every cancer is different. And prostate cancer and its treatments are never exactly the same in any two men.
Posted 1/17/2017 8:51 PM (GMT -5)

Hello Worried Child,

You asked for some first-hand insight concerning TAXOTERE chemotherapy treatments.

I went through a series of six TAXOTERE infusions, given 3 weeks apart, for a total of 18 weeks, start to finish.

In my case, I started my first chemotherapy treatment in August and finished up in November, just to give you an idea as far as time span. My treatments were in the late summer and into the fall of 2014.

My decision to pursue chemo treatments followed the release of clinical trials which showed important survival benefits for many of us who have advanced cases.

In my case, the chemo treatments dropped my PSA to the lowest level I had ever achieved since I began my treatments for prostate cancer. After my diagnosis, I started on LUPRON shots, which lowered my PSA greatly. At a certain point, my PSA reached its lowest point, known as the nadir. From there, I went forward with chemo treatments and watched each chemo treatment lower my PSA even more.

That experience has left me an advocate for the benefits of considering chemo treatments for advanced cases, such as mine. Since then, other friends of mine who share my same health diagnosis have also pursued TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusions to battle against their prostate cancer.

As each friend of mine has gone through chemo treatments, I have volunteered to be their "chemo coach" --- checking in with them before each treatment --- and checking in with them in the days following each treatment.

When I first embarked on my chemo treatments, another friend of mine went through chemo treatments at the same time --- it was very encouraging to have a "health buddy" to check in with during that time --- since then, I have volunteered to be a "chemo coach" for anyone going through chemo treatments who wants someone to check in with them during the series of chemo treatments. I've done it in person for friends who live here locally --- I've done it by telephone --- and I've even done it online. It's nice to have some support from someone who has been through a series of chemo treatments.

Quite a few of us here on this website have undergone chemotherapy treatments. Informally, we refer to ourselves as members of "THE CHEMO CLUB" ... and we are certainly here to support you and your father, as his treatments begin and continue. That's the power of this website !

More than that ... quite a few of us here have banded together to share our collective experiences with TAXOTERE chemotherapy infusions. We wanted to document our first-hand "down in the battle trenches" experiences with chemotherapy --- we wanted to describe exactly what the treatments entailed --- and most importantly, we wanted to share ways that we discovered to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy.

Up in the top right-hand corner of your screen, you will find a SEARCH BAR. Please type in this specific thread title, as follows: TAXOTERE SIDE EFFECTS.

That will lead you directly to the thread that we created ... this thread is current, up-to-date, & very informative.

Our main goal was to provide others with our range of direct, first-hand experiences ... written in "one brother to another brother" style --- things that we all learned that the clinic brochure about chemotherapy doesn't mention ... please check out the TAXOTERE SIDE EFFECTS thread.

You can then print off a copy and share it with your father before he begins his treatments. A lot of members here really poured their heart and soul into that thread ... I hope you and your father find it helpful, supportive, and informational.

Handshake of support, from across the miles,
Iowa State University ~ "Cyclone Fan"
Posted 1/17/2017 10:06 PM (GMT -5)
ISU-CycloneFan

Thank you for your response! He's been on Lupron and something else since before Christmas and that is what has brought his PSA level down from 51-11. From my understanding the MO wanted to target the bones with the chemo. Same thing as you said, 6 treatments one every 3 weeks. I have given him this website and what he needs to do. He seems to be in good spirits but is more worried about the chemo making him feel bad. I will print your message out and give to him. Thanks for the info and best wishes to you!
Posted 1/17/2017 10:19 PM (GMT -5)

Hello Worried Child,

It's important to state that many of the fellows here, including me, continued to work in their full-time careers while undergoing chemo ...

I'm a school teacher ... my oncologist scheduled my chemo infusions for very late in the afternoon ... I taught school every single day while undergoing chemo treatments ... other fellows here continued to work around their chemo treatments, as well.

Typically, there is a "chemo energy crash" a couple of days after each infusion ... in my case, my oncologist timed the infusions for Wednesday afternoons ... my "chemo energy crash" would hit during the weekends ... and by Monday and Tuesday, my energy level was "ramping up" following each infusion.

Your father's doctor will watch over him carefully during the chemo sessions, of course --- but I continued to exercise almost daily ... I kept up with social events and activities ... I got together with family and friends ... I kept pursuing my hobbies and interests ... as my chemo infusions continued.

Other friends of mine who have undergone a series of chemo treatments have experienced the same thing ... they rested when they needed to do so ... but they kept up with hobbies, interest, activities, and even full-time careers during chemo.

It's important to let your father know that, over time, they have added anti-nausea components to the chemo infusions --- they also often prescribe steroids to boost energy levels --- and in my case, they gave me a shot of NEULASTA after each chemo infusion, to boost my immune system --- my oncologist was very aware that I taught in a public school building with hundreds of school students all around me each day --- so these factors allowed me to undergo chemo treatments AND continue teaching full-time.

I just wanted to let you and your father know that living the moments of everyday life can continue, to a GREAT EXTENT, during a series of chemo treatments.

With all my best, from across the miles,
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University
Posted 1/17/2017 11:14 PM (GMT -5)
ISU-CycloneFan

Thankfully my dad is retired and doesn't have to worry about working while taking chemo. He stays very active and is very involved in Church etc. It's terrible that he is going through this but we are thankful that it's not anything worse and there is still a lot to be thankful for given the situation. Thanks again!
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