I got my bone scan a couple of days ago and the results were back in a couple of hours. Would you like to see them?
Impression: Evidence for abnormal activities in the spine ribs and pelvis and questionably long bones. A PSMA PET scan is recommended for correlation
Findings: There is suspicious increased radiotracer activity in the skull multiple thoracolumbar vertebral bodies multiple right and left ribs pelvis and questionable long bones.
Foci of mild activity is seen in both knees both ankles and both shoulders in a pattern most consistent with degenerative joint disease. The kidneys, bladder, and soft tissue are unremarkable.
My take is that this means the prostate cancer has probably spread to my bones, but I'm not sure. My doctor will tell me next Tuesday.
Also, my knees, ankles, and shoulders are slowly disintegrating due to old age, just like everyone else, which I already knew. My hips too, which the scan oddly didn't pick up. It's possible that the hip pain I've had for the past year is actually due to the cancer spreading into the thoracolumbar vertebrae, as noted above.
Damn! Hang in there, Kevin.
Thanks for keeping us updated. Stay strong.
I don't think it's quite what you think it is. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked?
I'll be taking Vitamin D supplements for the rest of my life, thanks to the multiple myeloma.
At least 10,000 IUDs?
I hope this isn't as bad as it seems, but in any case, may you have good luck with treatment.
This is tough....but next year your will be writing and tossing out your graphs and pearly pearls of wisdom to us in even greater abundance....kind of your duty and, this being the truth of it, you can't be called home. With Affection and Very Best Wishes, Traveller
I hope that the assessment of your situation will be better than you expect, and also hope that your courage to deal with whatever treatment you need will continue to serve you well, knowing that many who don't know you personally wish you and those close to you all the very best.
Maybe my cat had a reason to wake me up at such an hour, who knows, but may there be better news than expected soon - and may the wait not oppress your thoughts.
For many, many years I've read your posts and loved your clear-eyed take on politics and events, the cats, quilts, and stars. You've given your readers so much. Now I'm sending you (not for the first time) best wishes for healing.
☝️ This.
Yes, Winslow2, like Srho said too--with thanks for letting me climb upon your loving words to KD.
Is it possible that the multiple myeloma is complicating this analysis, given that it would also affect the bones?
If only recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, having bone cancer is possible, but I wouldn't assume it.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Kevin. Thank you for sharing though. Wishing you all the very best of luck.
Sending good thoughts your way.
One foot in front of the other. Stay positive. Be well. It's not acceptable that I might have to live in a future without your pearls of wisdom accompanied by a chart or two.
Best wishes
Sending best wishes and good juju to the Drum household.
I really hope you get good news on Tuesday.
I wish you well and thank you for the updates.
words fail, but know that everyone here wishes you nothing but the very best
I read this with a heavy heart…but thank you for always keeping us updated….good luck….you're a brave man…
Hopefully your PSA hasn’t moved.
I selfishly need you to stick around. Be well.
And just after the CAR-T treatment had finally kicked in. So sorry to hear this, and I hope it turns out okay.
I am wishing you the very best and at the same time asking that you do not jump your diagnosis before speaking with your health care provider. This is tough when you get the results before the practitioner. Take your Vit D and do think positive thoughts. We are with ya.
Nothing means anything until you and your doctor talk about. The person who reads the scan records any and every anomaly and notes it, along with possible explanations. But it has to be interpreted in context, which is your doctor's job. Having said that, I'll hope for the best for you. I'm in year 6 of cancer surveillance scans, so I know how nerve-wracking this can be. Just know that we're all pulling for you.
Best wishes for your health….
….and remember….
Without bad faith…..
Republicans would have no arguments at all.
Selfish of me I know, but I hope Kevin outlives me because he blogs about the same stuff (mostly) other people are holding forth on, but with charts & graphs & tables; makes the conversation livlier. You're a tough act to follow, Kevin.
We’re pulling for you along with Bastet the Cat Goddess due to your excellent track record of service to her constituents. Nothing’s certain and please continue with the purr therapy!
Sending positive vibes your way!
Keep moving forward, don't look back.
Hi Kevin,
I mostly lurk, but I have read you regularly since CalPundit days. Thinking about you and wishing you all the best, Kevin. I hope you are wrong about the cause, and encourage you to wait for Dr opinion.
At about age 73 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, with some spread to ribs and clavicle. I was put on Lupron, an androgen deprivation hormone treatment to reduce my testosterone level. Testosterone, as you probably know, feeds prostate cancer. Since then the uptakes on my bones have disappeared and my PSA and testosterone levels are near zero. Although the cancer that spread was on the bones, it is still prostate cancer and zero testosterone keeps it from growing. Side effects of the Lupron injection are similar to post-menopausal effects on women. Also, of course, zero sex interest. But I'm 80 now, off Lupron, with no signs of cancer. My initial treatment was at Oregon Health & Science University and then Mass General In Boston, where I also had radiation treatment of the prostate. This is kind of long but it's my way of saying that metastatic prostate cancer isn't the end of the line. Best of luck.
Thank you for sharing your experience, which is heartening. May you continue to be well.