Back from Duke... Dr was an amazing younger fellow. Most impressed with him.
He actually cared... Whoa wait a minute I'm not used to that.
Wonderful facility, 99% stuff done in house in same building.
Blood work was 10 minute wait max even.
So... No chemo for sure as it's localized. Not gonna lie that was a concern.
Mostly likely in one lymph node and possibly tip of right hip. They didn't have all the scans overlaid and he wasn't qualified to do it so getting with radiation dr for that part as nothing on hip showed on mri nor rib on anything but bone scan. Wasn't sure but they probably not even nuke the hip and if do its super small so may get some. None of that was discussed in depth as doing the pill/shot treatments first anyway. Basically they want to overlay everything for comparison to see if it's actually there. Wait you're not gonna just guess? Get outta here...
I go back in 2 weeks and start treatment in earnest.... For life.
Basically it removes all testosterone and starves the cancer.
I'm on Bicalutamide pills for a month, get a shot of lupron every 3 months(most likely lifetime maybe every 6 months if insurance will pay) and then in a month go on another daily pill(no idea what is) probably no end date.
Barely made it home and he had test results posted(full workup) and added comments. Then sent me an email with more info and things to do to help long term. Did say slight heart attack increase possibility (1%). I may have scoffed at 1% even being mentioned but he covered all the bases.
Went thru all the side effects of hormone stuff... But I'll live longer right... Ok then move along as unless my arm falls off or i grow a huge 3rd nut I'm good doc. Hot flash and some muscle loss i can deal with. Already knew all that was coming anyway.
I may have been a tad stressed out as the tech said my bp wouldn't register on the machine... Whoops... It got down to below 200 finally. I may have self medicated before left home even. They called us back so quickly I didn't calm down from shock of being there and the 500 assholes per mile in Raleigh and Durham trying to kill us on freeways. Tech asked... Are you stressing out.. Lucky guess you do know where you work right. Just saying lady.
I had made notes before we went to give them so didn't forget anything.. She chuckled at the comments like yes it hurt(man issues no womenz would ever understand).
I did explain the cluster of local place as Dr asked about other Dr I saw.
I'm sure I'll be seeing a radiation specialist probably very soon.
We did discuss his papers and work on genetic markers and if I was interested. Well yea if it helps the next poor guy down the road(like my son since this is on both sides of family).
Said next visit they're probably set that up also allong with bone density scan as it can definitely be an issue with treatments I'll be getting.
My brain is fried and migraine setting in pretty good.
Later.