I started experiencing urinary issues in 2015 and they steadily got worse. This was the first sign that something wasn't right. I had my annual check up in March 2016 and the doctor said he felt something "unusual" during the DRE. With my urinary symptoms and the abnormal DRE he referred me to a Urologist but stated that my PSA was within normal range (under 4.0). I saw the urologist who also felt what he thought was a nodule and gave me another PSA test along with a fPSA% test and a urine test. My PSA came back at 3.42 but my fPSA% was 7.6. Biopsy was done and I was determined to have 8-12 cores involved 4-G7 (4+3)...4- G9 (4+5)...2 -G9(5+4). I eventually ended up choosing IMRT+ADT because I was not eligible for RP and because of my urinary issues. I am now in the middle of my HT treatments as of this writing. I will be on ADT until April 2018. I will continue to update as things progress.

Haven't updated for awhile so I'll try to catch up. I finished IMRT 11/28/2016.having been deemed ineligible for BRACHY I researched other forms of adjuvant treatments for G9 PCa. My research lead me to Docetaxel chemo. I talked with my MO and he agreed that I was a candidate.

Beginning the second week of Jan. 2017 I started a course of 4 cycles of Docetaxeland completed the treatment April 5,2017. My PSA is now <0.01. I have no regrets going through chemo but must say it was a struggle at times. I lost my hair, had nausia and one bout of vomiting and fever that lead to a 2 night stay in the hospital for toxicity.

Other SE included bone and joint pain (from the neulasta shot), fatigue ,rash and neuropathy in my fingers and feet. Also food had a strange taste to me so was unable to eat much and ended up loosing 30 lbs. Not that I didn't need too but not a great way to loose it.

I'm 2-1/2 weeks since my final cycle and feeling a bit better. SE continue but are lessening. Will receive another 4 month Lupron shot next week leaving my 2 more ending in Dec 2017 which will take me to about April 2018 and I will begin letting the beast (T) start to come back.

That's about all for now.

Just a quick update. It's been a year since my treatment ended. My last 4 month lupron shot was August 2017. My docetaxel treatment took alot out of me.My PSA has risen from <0.01 to 0.04. T level is at an excrusiating 65. My next PSA test will be in about 3 weeks. I'm just moving along slowly, watching my PSA and waiting for each 3 month PSA test. The wait can be difficult at times. Life has definitley changed for me since my diagnosis and I'm trying to deal with those changes.

Dec 17th I had my 3 month PSA checked and visit with RO. My PSA has ticked up to .06 up from .04 in Sept. My testosterone has reached 256. Side effects that are still bothering me are neuropathy in feet and hands, from chemo.

8 years from diagnosis. 6 years cancer free

Artistic One's e-mail address is: marcusart13 AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")