# So I have prostate cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035 "2017-12-09T19:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/342 "2024-09-03T11:00:18Z")
I am getting ready to head to the clinic for radiation #31, 13 more to go. The side effects are as promised but much less intense than I expected. My optimism is still intact. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/343 "2024-09-03T13:25:31Z")
Very glad to hear that it’s going well and better than expected ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/344 "2024-09-03T13:41:19Z")
Good! I had my total radiation dose (which should be the overall same amount per kilogram as you’re due to get) in 20 sessions over 4 weeks, which I expect made my side effects more intense. So I hope you continue to have fewer of them than I. My MRI is in 2 weeks, we’ll see what that shows. Otherwise all indicators remain good for me at present, 18 months after treatment began. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/345 "2024-09-03T14:52:33Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > The side effects are as promised but much less intense than I expected. My optimism is still intact. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Otherwise all indicators remain good for me at present, 18 months after treatment began. So glad to hear! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/346 "2024-09-03T15:42:16Z")
Terrific news. It has been giving me hope. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/347 "2024-09-03T15:43:10Z")
@BippityBoppityBoo ;o) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/348 "2024-09-12T20:54:04Z")
I have six radiation treatments left. I saw my urologist today for my second Eligard injection. She did a blood draw and test. My PSA is **0.18** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/349 "2024-09-13T00:06:54Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > My PSA is **0.18** My sacrifices to the goddesses and trolls of The Mighty Prostate are working! Excellent! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/350 "2024-09-13T01:20:24Z")
Hooray for a successful progress report! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/351 "2024-09-13T23:40:47Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > I have six radiation treatments left. I saw my urologist today for my second Eligard injection. She did a blood draw and test. My PSA is **0.18** Your PSA is awesome at that stage! Super low!! That shows a great response to your treatment, which should continue with your ongoing Eligard therapy, even after the rad rx is done. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/352 "2024-09-14T02:53:36Z")
Thanks for the encouragement. I have a meeting Tuesday with another Doctor who was recommended by my urologist to discuss starting Abiraterone ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/353 "2024-10-01T20:56:49Z")
Well, my PSA remains undetectable 18 months after finishing radiation and latest MRI imaging still shows no signs of malignant change in that weird spot on my sternum, so prognosis continues to be good. The PSA should eventually rise again, of course. The literature suggests that if it stays around 0.5 long term, that would represent an excellent response and prognosis, while if it goes up to 2.0 and stays there, that would represent a good response and prognosis (for my particular type and grade and stage of prostate cancer). ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/354 "2024-10-01T21:02:50Z")
Great news! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/355 "2024-10-01T23:51:18Z")
Nice! Congrats, QtM! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/356 "2024-10-02T01:00:28Z")
Hooray!! Best news of the week from anyone on any topic. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/357 "2024-10-02T11:52:55Z")
That is great news QtM! For my part, my urologist handed me off to one of her colleagues for the long term treatment. He has prescribed Prednisone and Abiraterone daily and I will see him every ninety days for blood work. He will also discontinue the Eligard injections and I will start Orgovyx at our next meeting. (note: The Abiraterone prescription is $700.00 a month. I was told that funding will be available.) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/358 "2024-10-16T15:46:42Z")
I paid the first month and yesterday picked up my second prescription and put it on my credit card. This morning I heard from the clinic and my funding has been approved. They will also send a check reimbursing me for the two months that I have already paid out. Being a retiree on a fixed income this is great news. I could have maybe could have managed but it would have been really difficult. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/359 "2024-10-16T17:50:26Z")
Yaay!! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/360 "2024-10-16T19:51:49Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > (note: The Abiraterone prescription is $700.00 a month. I was told that funding will be available.) Hooray on the funding help! A lot of those programs inexplicably exclude anyone receiving any kind of government help - e.g. Medicare! Nice little catch 22. Prednisone, vile and powerful though it is, is at least dirt cheap. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/361 "2024-10-16T21:10:54Z")
It tastes nasty! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035.md?page=19)