Support

Reading through the PCa posts, clearly some people have BIG problems, and most if not all seek, and it seems get, support and advice. That is good.
Four years ago I was 'diagnosed' as having PCa. The diagnosis came in the form of a high PSA level (I wasn't told how high, and didn't know it had been requested) and, following referral to a uro surgeon, a DRE, which was NBD. Just routine. The uro man decided to wait for three months before doing anything, but in the meantime gave me a referral for another blood test, and a scrip for some magic potion, if necessary to be injected in the rump. Three months later the PSA was such as to warrant the injection. Three months later again, the PSA was such as not to need the injection - and so it has gone, every other three months an injection.
My current GP, seen recently, was surprised that I had not had a biopsy or any other kind of medical confirmation as to the PCa's condition, or indeed existence. Just that DRE, and that was 'it'.
From the first, I have had NO symptoms of any kind, nor have I had any side effects from the injections. The consolation, such as it is, is that the surgeon has from the first insisted I shall not die because of the cancer, but with it. Now 91, the chances of that happening seem good! The potential side-effects, found in Google, read as quite something. Very early in the piece, I had my neighbor and a friend in for coffee. I told them all about these possible effects, noting that it looked like a bundle of fun ahead for me. "Right," said K, my neighbor, putting down her coffee, "so if we see you running around in a skirt, we'll know it's working!" - my friend, also a woman, shared in the humor. The three of us had a good laugh. Ever since, still there have been no symptoms and no side effects. After four years, I do wonder has the original diagnosis been genuine - or has it all been a genuine mistake?
For those for whom things have not been a mistake, I think and feel for you. For those such as I, just count your blessings, and get on with life. It's the only way to go. If you can avoid it, don't go looking for trouble.

Michael - Thank you for your words of wisdom. I am glad that you withheld your age until near the end of the post. As it is, I read thru wondering "what bombshell is he going to drop here?". In the end, none. Instead it was a nice smile and perhaps an improved outlook on life.

If you have done any research into your disease, you probably already know that it is typically slow growing. There are some sad tales of relatively young men who suddenly learn that they have a highly aggressive tumor that has already spread and are given some nasty chemicals and/or a vague number of 'years' remaining to try to enjoy life.

The peak for this disease appears to be around 65. A preponderance of stories begin in the early sixties with a blood test. Beyond the sixties the likelihood of treatment and the available treatment options change, as there comes a greater likelihood that the patient would likely die from another disease, different from this one... they will likely die with this cancer, not from this cancer.

And there is the side effects of the treatments themselves, their potential to bring about other possibly serious conditions, as well as their impact upon the patient's 'quality of life'. Given that men in their 80's have a 50/50 chance of at some point being diagnosed with prostate cancer, I'd say you were fortunate that you made it well beyond that before being hit, that you apparently have tolerated the effects of 'the shot' without serious side effects, and can in fact share a chuckle about it with your neighbor.

I'd say you dodged the bullet, and if I've read this right, appear to recognize your own good fortune.

Thank for sharing.

I want to say your advice and post is priceless but then with out you it would disappear...so I will just say your wisdom is priceless and damm the paradoxes of life....

Michael-

You seem to be doing fine with your current regimen. I can't comment on what the doctor found because you didn't provide the PSA or the results of the DRE. It may have been the case that your PSA was very high and your prostate had he could feel many tumors in your prostate, so to put you on hormone therapy may have been a wise decision. Perhaps you have other comorbidities that might get you sooner. Still, I think you should have been involved in making that decision. Prostate cancer is often asymptomatic until later stages.