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Posted 4/26/2008 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
We just got our fourth ZERO at our 18-month mark. There is cause for celebration here that's well-deserved after the anxiety in the days preceding each test. Now, the big one will be at the 24-month point, because that's when our percentages of a return really drop.

Need to update the bio, but our post-path report was not a pretty one. We were looking at "possible" bladder neck involvement and "maybe" some cell leakage into the fatty tissue. That gave us a 20%-50% chance of cancer return. However, we were also dealing with undetectable PSAs from the beginning. Recommendation was no further action. Whew!

What we've learned: during the cauterization process, the gland also receives a little blast. That can result in a pathology report that errs on the cautious side, with the "possibilities." Of course, that also opens up doors to: "Is the path report another guessing game?"

We're so glad we didn't pursue further treatment. And, I'll say again that had the PSA been anything but undetectable, we would be aggressive with it. For now, however, we're still cancer-free.

We have so many of you to thank since our first visit in June of '06. This is the best place in the world to share the burden of fears and take away a little courage to carry on. It's an honor to be among so many heroes here, especially those who continue the fight.

OK, back to our regularly scheduled celebration.
Posted 4/26/2008 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you Greenacres.

Its been a scary 18 months for you but this news brightens everybody's day...

Jim
Posted 4/26/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Cheers to 24 months cancer free....48 months cancer free...a lifetime cancer free! Great news! When one person wins, we all win! Keep us posted on all those 0's! Congrats! Father's Information DX July 15, 2007 Age 62 (now 63) PSA 5.5 Original Gleason 3+4=7 Post Surgery Gleason- 4+3=7 DaVinci Surgery Aug 31, 2007 Focally Positive Right Margin One positive node Bone Scan/CT Negative (Sept. 10, 2007) T3a N1 M0 Oct. 17 PSA 0.07 Nov. 13 PSA 0.05 Casodex adm. Nov 07 Lupron beg. Dec 03, 2007 2 yr Radiation started March 03-April 22, 2008- 8 weeks 5x a week 8 weeks of radiation down!!! Praying for a cured dad. First PSA 3 months!   Post edited to single space signture... Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 4/26/2008 9:43:21 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 4/26/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Great news. Here is hoping for a lifetime of great PSA tests.


Mika
Posted 4/26/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
WOW! That's great news! The sun is shining brightly here in western NY, but with your post it just got a little brighter!
Best,
Mike
Posted 4/26/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Great!!!  Congratulations...It seems you have made a lot of good decisions.  Where did you learn that the cauterization could have caused the faulty path report?  Interested because I will go under the knife next Wed with Dr Fagin..
Posted 4/26/2008 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Mika, Mike, Doting, Biker (our old Kegel-meister) and Salty - thanks. No matter how far out we get past surgery, it's always so good to hear congrats from those who traveled with us and are on that journey now.

Salty - it's not necessarily a faulty report. It's just that, apparently, the process of cauterizing for bleeding can lead the pathologist to err on the side of caution in his or her report - IF there is some indication of cancerous cells extending past the gland - in our case, there might have been. This came in the report from Dr. Fagin to our local uro. (Sadly, we decided to continue testing at home rather than traveling to Austin every 6 months.) Dr. F. assured us from the beginning that we were fine, but that there was a "chance." He stated the odds and recommended no further treatment. We were so lucky to have found him.
Posted 4/26/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Green Acres - that's wonderful news and what an encouraging future for you & hubby! Celebrate every day!

All the best,
Susan
Posted 4/27/2008 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Greenacres!

It is only 11.38am our time but I have mixed myself a small "bundy". I hope to follow that up tonight with a glass of Australian chardonnay after 5pm in honour of you AND YOURS!

This is wonderful news. Each year brings such hope. Still waiting for you to let me know when you have booked your trip so I can organise that welcoming party! yeah

Warmest regards to you and your loved ones. And of course "To your HEALTH..". This is great news. Have been waiting to hear from you, and this is FANTASTIC!  Lana

Posted 4/27/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
It's so good to see the "greenacres" name in the forum again. You guys are an inspiration. Keep the good news comin'!!!
Posted 4/27/2008 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
        Yea!! GreenAcres, Hubby, and MinPin too!!!   18 month     PSA   !!! ~~~ >>>   Woo ~ Hoo <<< ~~~ !!! undetectable   Cause for celebration!!!!!   Definitely!!! What a wonderful day it is ~ each and every-day ….     Enjoy it to the fullest.     In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy *      *      *      *      *      * The ultimate “goal”… we all strive for… Thank you for sharing! It is very important to “all ”of us!   This is a way of positive feedback… A way of showing others Hope… and a way of Sharing.   J   Caring is Sharing ~   Thank You for Sharing   J     Threads started by: GreenAcres PSA:0 Celebrants:2 2nd PSA - Un-de-ZERO-dectable! And the first post-surgery PSA number is... Post-surgical increased urination/leakage Our PSA test experiment For Wicket GreenAcres Thanks Healing Well Need advice on ED drug prices - yikes! Traveling for PC Surgery-Items to pack  
Posted 4/27/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
     Hey ~ Special Lady ,   I guess it’s the same for everyone…. Having that extra special bond with the ones you traveled so closely with at the same time.   There will always be that “something special”… about you ~ for us.     So nice to see we are still traveling together… I think there will always be that special pull to let others continue to know how we’re doing.   Thank you for continuing to stay close.   When I see you post… a gentle smile appears and a little thought “There’s Green”!!!!   18 Months…………………………………. WOW ….. the time is a flying… and the 24 th Month will be here before we can say or sing “ calafragalisticexpealadocious”   Now for the celebration “Crown Royal” on tap…. We had a little toast this evening with our Asti…   and special thoughts of all our friends who shared their stepping-stones with us.   Salute!!!!!   Hugs and more hugs to each of “YOU”.   Green ~ thank you for you!   You add a richness to HealingWell and you continue to do so with each posting.   You are a special lady and I am honored to call you friend.     In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   P.S. Personal Note: *MinPin would love the Crown Royal quilt my sister made!!!   Kisses to him.. *Let me know when we’re flying out or sailing out to visit Lana…   I keep looking at the cruise that heads her way! *I’m not sure where some of your threads went … but I listed the ones that are still active.    Thank you for your special touches that make the path easier for so many.
Posted 4/27/2008 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Each and every one of you are near and dear to our hearts. Piano - you had your hernias fixed - good on you. (P.S. I'm here every day - don't always have time to post, but keeping an eye on you and everyone else, especially the noobs.)

MamaB - we keep asti in the fridge for mimosas, so if you're ever in our neck of the woods, we'll be starting early! (The MinPin-aka "Hans-burger" would certainly recognize a Crown quilt - how neat is that?). I was looking some time back for threads from the very earliest days - and they seem to have been dropped past a certain date.

Susan - you're one of the true blessings of this board (among so many), but because you two are such soldiers in this cancer fight and with the warmest hearts and encouraging words for the new ones coming in for comfort.

Lana - you're always up for a celebration, so we'll toast in spirit. We wish everyone could get a chance to visit our favorite country outside of the U.S.

What a group!
Posted 4/27/2008 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Geez "What a Group". You are so right. A group made awesome because folks like you are here, Greenacres. We have been together so long that when one of us gets great news we all do. And today it's you that lights us up with that warm feeling. God Bless you my friend. And thank you for that great news.

Tony
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