Hello to all cancer warriors especially those with stage 4 Prostate cancer. My name is Rog Sharpe and I am 72, at the beginning of June this year my Urologist diagnosed Metastatic prostate cancer, as it had spread to my lymph nodes near the prostate and to my ribs and the cancer was a Gleason 9.
The Urologist had initially done a rectal exam and as the prostate was found to be very hard and enlarged (could not be removed) and my PSA was 225, before any other tests, he put me on Lupron. When I saw the Oncologist we both decided that Apalutamide (Erleada) along with the 3 monthly injections of Lupron was the way to go. We discussed Chemo but as I am an insulin dependant diabetic and I was also suffering from an infection at that time it was decided we would hold fire and continue with the 2 hormone therapies.
After about 2 weeks on the Apalutamide I experienced a very severe uncomfortable rash one of the side effects of Erleada and after another appointment with the Oncologist I was put on Enzalutamide (Xtida).
I have now been on the Xtida for 3 weeks and the only side effects are hot flushes sometimes as many as 20-40 a day, one of the advantages being, I will be remain warm whilst everyone else is freezing during the winter,😀.
I reported this to my Oncologist this morning and he has suggested Sage tea and Primrose oil and to use a fan whilst at home, and before this he had also told me my PSA was know 0.05 which was good news quite a dramatic drop from 225.
Of course my diagnoses was a massive shock and I have felt emotionally drained, concerned and troubled. But I have managed to struggle through the last 3 months and am now feeling a lot better and a lot more positive. Anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer will experience dark days but we are all very fortunate that there are so many different treatments that can keep us well along with a better prognosis and I was told that my cancer wasnt an immediate death sentance as sadly some cancers are, but that some men have lived for many years with the same stage 4 cancer.
If anyone with the same late stage or any other stage prostate cancer would like to contact me it would be great to hear from you.
All the best,
Rog Sharpe
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