Cancer...

I have had back issues for a few years,lower. Everyone said sciatica...no help.
Way more pain than any muscle or such. Have degenerated discs in neck,I know what nerve pain is.
After getting an eval from a PT guy, I could barely get to my truck.

@0300 I drove to Alb.,NM for an MRI at the emergency room. Ex EMT-II ,they could not deny service.
Dr. showed me a spot on my back. Referred me to an Oncologist.
The worst a 68 yr old dude wants to hear.

Went to the cancer clinic and met my DR. Matter of fact ,he said stage 4 prostate cancer, on the bone. "You have 2 years....maybe 14 with the treatments we have been using."
I said how about twenty? Lets get the show on the road.
My PSA was 419.16 4 is where they start looking.
Nothing on my prostate nor organs.
But my hip is covered,and my iliad crest,base of spine. A tumor on the left hip joint. A few other spots.
A week later after getting clear of covid ,I started radiation treatments, for 10 days. Could hardly walk into the clinic.
Started taking HRT. Hormone replacement therapy. Gal pills.
Can't help I'm a stud and Prostate Cancer thrives on testosterone.

One year later my PSA is now .12...................way under 4.
I can walk with ease and doing great. With my second catarack eye surgery I will be able to see clearly ,to walk and work.

There is no cure.
Stay positive and move forward.

I know none of you.
Guys, get your PSA checked when you get a physical. Blood test.

I say this as a PSA, a public service announcement.

 

Try to stay positive my friend. There are great treatment’s for it and new ones all the time. Prostate ca. is a slow growing type of cancer. Even stage 4 prostate ca. people can live 10 or more years. Friend of mine had stage 4 prostate ca. 5 years ago he’s doing great today. With a psa of .12 after treatment is as good as is gets.
I had prostate ca. 3 years ago but fortunately caught it early. Treated with brachytherapy and today am cancer free. My psa ranges between .09 to .04.
I know the diagnosis of cancer is devastating. Hang tough, kick it’s ass and trust in God. If you want to talk about it send me a private message. God bless!

 

Won't hit the like button because Fuck Cancer! Glad things are going in the right direction. Positive attitude goes a long way!

 

Damn, sorry to hear this! Fuck cancer!

 

I got prostate cancer @ the age of 53, “advanced & aggressive” they said - got gutted like a trout, got tested non stop, 6 months later they said I was cancer free - “cured”. 7 months later it was back with a vengeance. I drove for 90 miles, round trip, 5 days a week for 8 weeks for radiation treatments. That was 10 years ago and Ive been doing GREAT since then, well, other than all the other surgeries I’ve collected‍♂️

Best of luck to you, your attitude will help you greatly

 

OP

I can't help but admire your positivity and resilience especially at your age

Sciatica sucks and I don't wish it even on my worst enemy; I know, cause I have it

But cancer is altogether another beast; fuck cancer

Lost my close friend that was battling colon cancer, January 10th, 2020 (during COVID) RIP

 

Glad all you Ca survivors are doing well

I myself am a Ca Survivor, so far. "Bladder Ca" 10-yrs ago

 

Skin , Fuck Cancer. It is getting better, treatment/diagnosis

 

Kidney cancer here. Upended my life at 61. Planned on working to 65. Crane operator out of Local 18. Just picked up a 4Runner and a pop-up camper in September '21 got diagnosed stage 4 December '21. Right kidney removed January '22. Shit is in my lung on my vertebrae and pelvis. Found its way in my right clavicle. Started on the rat poison - tore me up - now I've got neuropathy below both knees and have to use a walker or cane to get around. Sold the camper, missed out on some Wisconsin wheeling 2 years in a row because of the dope they are giving me. if you have this disease, you always know that somebody has it worse than you. If you don't feel right get to the doc.

 

Well said, hopefully things will improve. Stay strong and Fuck Cancer

 

Thanks @jwctaco. I've had a good run in my life. Didn't mean to rant or bitch and moan. Amazing how life changes with a biopsy and a phone call.

 

Morning all. Another one.
Cool.

Thanks.
Seems like I've been to this bbq.
My 100 yo uncle is 7 yrs free after the battle started 35 yrs ago.
His brother ,my favorite uncle fought this for 14 and the last 2 years were brutal. I was with him the last 2 weeks. Same cancer.
Did hospice for both my Vet parents in 1998.

Cancer sucks. Death sucks more.
I plan on living a while. I'm on my 8th life and this cool cat has a ranch and the Gila to prowl. And a Tacoma to cruise in.

 

No problem, PM me if you need to vent, unfortunately I know where you’re at.

 

Yeah well, that's life. Damn.
Move forward and enjoy what you can is all I can say at this point.
I ditto your "If it don't feel right get to the Doc"!
You can bitch and rant to me. I hear you.

 

It sounds like the treatments are working for you and you have a lot more years to look forward to. That is great news. Enjoy every day.

I'm 65, never any symptoms. In April a blood test during a routine physical showed PSA at 4.7. They told me to come back in July. It was 5.2 and I was referred to an oncologist. A biopsy in August confirmed prostate cancer. They injected me with radiation and did a body scan in September; the radiation is supposed to glow on the scan anywhere cancer is present, and they confirmed mine was confined to the prostate. I was fortunate to catch it very early.

I had surgery 3 weeks ago tomorrow to remove my prostate. They did confirm that all cancer had been contained and removed, but it had grown right to the edge of the prostate. Had I waited much longer it would have spread.

I'm not going to lie, I felt like crap for about 3 days after the surgery, but after a week started improving. Had to wear the catheter for 15 days and pee in a bag. That's been out for 5 days now and I'm having to retrain my bladder to urinate when I want to but that is steadily improving. Most people regain most of their control in 2-3 weeks, but I'll probably have some leakage for 2-3 months. Some people take a full year to fully regain control.

It is demeaning to have to wear Depends or a pad in my underwear and change often. But I'll get past that and being cancer free is worth it. Overall, I feel pretty good. My strength and endurance have taken a big hit. I'm walking 2-2 1/2 miles most days but have to stay on level ground. I was doing 3-5 miles on hills before the surgery. But that too will come back.

 

Having watched my father go with pancreatic cancer, my heart goes out to anyone with cancer! A brutal disease!
Stay tough!

 

Marshall. Glad your doing good and caught it early.
I had been getting good prostate exams and colon. But...there are no real primary care Dr's anywhere near me. The one at the local clinic said,"Go to a back cracker".
NM, it is a third world state. Beautiful and deadly.

Lucky I have catastrophic ins. ,it has covered almost all costs not caught by medicare. Even paying for the cataracts. Plan N.
Gas has cost a fortune.

 

I don't even know what to say.

Cancer took out all the adult males on my dad's side. my brother and I live with the Spector daily. my doc is aware of my history and is always on the lookout. I do all the blood test, and check up regularly. I have a bit of a hypochondriac thing going because of it.

I have outlived all the dudes on my dad's side by a mile. I am grateful, and when I get down I try to remember it.

best of lucks my total stranger friends. I parrot: " go get regular checkups"