My Jeff had labs and a palliative care appointment.

We are still reeling from the brain mets diagnosis, but I’m grateful to report that his pain is still reasonably managed. I’m typically the most vocal in his palliative care appointments as I strongly advocate for Jeff. As we waited for the doctor, I mused I had nothing to ‘b*tch’ about.

The lab work results started rolling into the portal. While I have a few results I specifically look for, PSA is at the top of my list. We usually know PSA levels, max, within 2 hours after blood is drawn.

Hour after hour passed and no PSA. I ultimately thought Jeff’s oncologist inadvertently forgot to order.

Labs were at 1:30 at 8:04 p.m. Jeff texts me, “OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!”.

(I have no idea what took so long, but PSA was finally in.)

Jeff: OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Me: What? Is that good or bad? You’re scaring me.
Jeff: Just go look at the portal. Do you have tissues?
Me: ok …. I’ll go look.
Also Me: OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭

💥 PSA LEVELS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY!!! 💥

PSA = 45.3 ☀️ This is the lowest its ever been!

It’s hard not to feel extremely hopeful with these results. Jeff has been on Zytiga/Prednisone since 8-10-2021. It definitely appears to be working!!!

PSA History:

950 - Dec 17, 2020
317 - Jan 26, 2021
254 - March 2, 2021
237 - March 16, 2021
345 - April 6, 2021
398 - April 28, 2021
387 - May 18, 2021
467 - June 9, 2021
476 - June 30, 2021
310 - July 15, 2021
45.3 - August 26, 2021

#teamjeffgallagher

Hello, Jeff and Stephanie ----

That's great news that you have just shared! Very thankful!

ZYTIGA (now in generic form as "Abiraterone Acetate") was one of the new breakthrough medications, along with XTANDI, that had recently been endorsed & FDA approved when I was first diagnosed.

While I was going through my initial diagnosis, biopsy, and initial scans --- my PSA was climbing RAPIDLY each time I went back to the clinic and hospital for the next round of tests.

My doctor got the first ADT shots going, which knocked my PSA down markedly.

Shortly thereafter, the "early chemotherapy plan" was endorsed, following clinical trials such as the CHAARTED and STAMPEDE trials, which showed a benefit. I met my oncologist on a Monday, and my first infusion was that Wednesday.

I was my oncologist's first patient to pursue the "early chemotherapy plan" --- and I know it paid dividends.

As my chemotherapy infusions were winding down, my oncologist began mentioning a newer medication with an unusual name --- ZYTIGA!

Sure enough --- after several discussions, my oncologist and I agreed to give it a try. I was his first patient to receive ZYTIGA.

I remember he asked me to return in about three weeks, to run a PSA test --- because ZYTIGA was relatively new.

I still remember my doctor's elation when he received the results! Neither one of us could speak! We were speechless! I will NEVER forget that first "ZYTIGA results" day!

On a whim, I had the idea to start saving the empty ZYTIGA bottles. I still save them today. Those bottles are all lined up on a shelf. Seeing each bottle on that shelf makes me even more grateful.

It means a great deal to be able to add one more bottle to the shelf, at the end of each month!

The weekend is here --- I hope you will both have a relaxing weekend, along with some time to mark the moment and CELEBRATE the improved test results you just received.

You probably hear me cheering, from across the miles! A bit of good news can instill hope and the courage to "fight another day" !

Here's to the weekend ahead, Jeff and Stephanie!

Thankful to read your good news!

CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 8/27/2021 2:31:49 PM (GMT-6)

Excellent news