Into Battle Once More

This is an update on some of the unknowns I wrote about in my previous entry. The results of my second PET-PSMA scan have come back and we met with my oncologist on August 20. 

My first PET-PSMA scan occurred on March 27, 2024, prior to receiving any form of treatments to battle the cancer. The scan showed a concentration of cancer in my prostate, plus metastasis (spreading cancer cells) in my hips, a spot on my ribcage, a spot on my shoulder, and a spot on my spine. 

I'm bringing this back up because I was shocked to find that this disease spread like wildfire throughout my skeletal system after that scan until the chemotherapy and hormone suppressants started to take effect. The written report from my second scan (8/14/25) states the following: "Widespread, nonactive foci of osteoblastic metastasis now noted throughout the skeletal system which has significantly progressed since previous study." Of course, the word "nonactive" is the imperative there, referring to the state of the cancer. I sure hope it stays that way because, apparently, my entire skeleton is riddled with "nonactive" cancer cells. If those ever become active again, I believe that will be the end of this story. 

I'm trying, very hard, not to think about that. 

If there was "good" news from the latest scan, its that the cancer that's currently active was found only in my prostate. My oncologist feels that we can avoid more chemotherapy (for now) and hit the focus of activity with radiation treatments. I was glad to hear that, but was taken aback when my radiologist said that we would need 45 radiation treatments, one each day of the week (Monday through Friday) for nine weeks. It's not like there aren't any side-effects from radiation, so this is going to take me down several notches. I keep reminding myself that at least they're not recommending chemo, but that thought only helps a little. 

At of the time of this post, we have yet to schedule those radiation treatments. There are a couple things that need to happen first. On September 5, I'm scheduled to have a procedure where they inject a kind of gel that's supposed to protect certain vital functions "down there" from being irradiated. Then, on September 8, we have an appointment for a CT Simulation, which is where they make a map of the area to focus in on specifically where they want the radiation to hit. Shortly after that, I assume, I'll begin the treatments.

Emotionally, I'm not nearly as relieved to set chemo aside as I thought I would be. To be clear, I am relieved, but I have this sinking feeling that nine weeks of daily radiation treatments is going to take its own kind of toll on my health, such as it currently is. I suppose it boils down to the fact that I was only just starting to feel partially recovered from last year's intense chemo and now I have to somehow mentally prepare to take several steps backward. 

One could argue that, hey, at least I'm still alive, but the quality of my life pales in comparison to where I was in 2023 and earlier. I can only hope that, by the time the radiation treatments have ended some time in November, I can finally start taking steps toward living a more normal life. That's the hope I'm clinging to, anyway. 

A ruby-throated hummingbird foraging for nectar in our garden