In 2021 Dean was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. It has been a rollercoaster since then, with many scans, bloodwork and treatments.
The journey started back in February. He wasn’t feeling good, sore, tired and just not feeling like himself. Over the next couple months the pain was getting worse, and he was losing more weight. He brought it up to his doctor numerous times, and was told it was just soreness from playing sports, and the doctor recommended massage and chiropractor appointments. One day the pain was too much that Dean ended up going to a walk-in clinic. They did a full blood work on him which showed his PSA level was at 2200. He immediately was referred to Cancer Care.
August 2021
Dean started his first ADT treatment. Which is a hormone treatment that will stop the growth of testosterone. This will be given every 3 months going forward.
September 2021
Dean started to take Enzalutamide pills to his regimen. This will be taken daily.
May 2022
Dean started his first round of chemotherapy (Docetaxel).
November 2022
Finished his last of 10 rounds of chemotherapy (Docetaxel). This chemo brought his PSA down to a more manageable level
February 2023
Started Zoledronic acid injections. This will be given every 3 months going forward.
April 2023
Stopped taking the Enzalutamide pills.
Dean and Melissa both flew to Burnaby, BC for a PSMA Pet Scan, that is not offered in Manitoba
Started chemotherapy (Cabazitaxel) as his PSA levels have continued to rise
June 2023
Stopped chemotherapy (Cabazitaxel) after completing 3 rounds as his levels continued to rise
July 2023
Started another treatment, this time Radium 223.
September 2023
Stopped Radium 223 after 3 treatments as Deans levels continued to rise
Received radiation on both hip bones to relieve some excruciating bone pain he was experiencing
October 2023
Started his first round of chemotherapy (Carboplatinum)
He has been battling hard, but since his PSA levels continue to rise he is looking to take a more aggressive treatment. The next treatment on the game plan is Luteutim 177. This treatment is not provincially funded but is offered in BC at the patient’s expense. This would exceed $100,000. The same treatment is offered in Mexico for 1/2 the cost, as well as they offer a more cutting edge treatment that is not offered in Canada. We are hoping to fundraise to take some burden off Dean and his family on the upcoming medical bills