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Posted 4/29/2008 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, hope you are all doing okay. I am a little stressed tonight we took Rick to the lab today for his latest PSA draw and we should get the results in the morning. Last time it was at 0.30 I hope it is the same or lower.  Please wish us luck.

Thank you in advance

Diana

Posted 4/29/2008 5:01 AM (GMT 0)

Hi!!!

Correction the last PSA was 0.3

Thanks

Diana

Posted 4/29/2008 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
It never seems fair when that magic number is sitting on someone's computer in an office somewhere and they don't jump on the phone to tell you the minute it arrives. That just gives us time to let our imaginations run wild. Good luck! We all know how you feel.
Posted 4/29/2008 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Diana, Good luck! You and Rick will be in my thoughts today.
Best,
Mike
Posted 4/29/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)

Good luck Diana and Rick.

We all know how stressful it is waiting for those PSA results.

Posted 4/29/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Just said a little prayer for you guys! Good luck and God Bless! 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!   Signature edited: Single space Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 5/2/2008 9:42:19 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 4/29/2008 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, and I'll say a prayer. I know exactly how you feel.
Posted 4/29/2008 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi anniea,

Keeping my fingers x'd for a good test result for you. I know how stressful it is waiting for the next one. My next test is due on June 11h and the butterflies are already starting to stir in my gut. Just one of the down sites of this darn cancer.

Hoping for a good result for both of us (and every one else of cause).

Magaboo

Posted 4/29/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Anniea,

My thoughts and prayers are with you two today.  I am about 1.5 weeks out for my first PSA after surgery.  I can feel you concern.

God Bless

Frank

Posted 4/29/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your replies & prayers. The results are in it is at 0.6 and while I realize the number is still low I am concerned that it is still going up. Rick still says no further treatment.

Thanks again & God Bless you all

Diana

Posted 4/29/2008 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana,
Just sending you Love and friendship, again. 0.6 is still low and perhaps Rick could still change his mind. My prayers are always including you guys and that's not gonna stop now. I hope you guys are still thinking about Vegas. We'd Love to have you by. God Bless you, and Stay Positive...

Tony
Posted 4/29/2008 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Going tomorrow myself , I know the stress
Posted 4/29/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Diana,

I understand your worry...since Rick says no more treatment, where do you go from there. Every 3 months that fear rears it's ugly head and you wait for that one word that brings respite: undetectable.
I think as wives we want every possible option for remission/cure to be open AND we want our husbands to feel that way. If we could give them the fight to withstand this terrible disease, of course we would! Sadly, that's not the way it always works out and the ability to really understand and come to grips with that fact...is not easily come by.
I'm not saying this in a defeatist way, but only that people handle these situations in a way that fits for them.

Rick has some time to think this over, for you both to talk about his decision and yes, he may very well change his mind. I hope whatever the decision, you both will be at peace with it.

I wish you both well and please know we are here for you.

Susan
Posted 4/29/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Diana--This is difficult news to hear that Rick's PSA is going up.  I hope for a good outcome if you decide on further treatment now or later.  You are in my prayers for every good thing.  Take care and hang in there...Tim
Posted 4/30/2008 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thinking of you as you await your future - its the anxiety build I pray does not grab you and shake you. Know that others are praying and concerned and that all that energy toward "Good" means a great deal....you are in good company. We deal with the cards we are dealt.

FairRider
Posted 5/1/2008 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Diana,

Thinking and prayng for you. I think that you are the model example of patience for all of us wives here, although it probably does not feel that way for you. My husband is very determined in his own way too - I don't know how I would go if we disagreed on anything like this, but I would hope that I would be able to provide as much love and support as you do, in the same way, regardless of what he decides in the future. Letting people manage their own lives, health and treatment (or non treatment) options with love and support is the greatest gift you can give someone else. I agree with Susan however - with patience and respect for his wishes, he may indeed change his mind. We will certainly pray for the best for both of you. Lana
Posted 5/1/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all so very much for your replies, prayers and well wishes. I continue to hope he will change his mind but if he dosen't I also understand due to his previous surgeries. I too don't know how I would feel if I were in his situation. I continue to pray for all the members here and thank you all for your support.

Diana

Posted 5/1/2008 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana, I (and probably all our members here) know and can share the feeling and anxiety of waiting for the result of any test. I wish you and Rick all the best. Also I wanted to thank you for your kind words on the other thread concerning Salty’s surgery.   Kris
Posted 5/1/2008 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Diana,

I really admire you ability to understand and respect Rick's decision. His decision may change and it may not. My personal experience on the matter is that most people make the right decision for them when left alone to actually make his/her own. We love our family so much that we only want what's best for "us" too often in this world. It's a human response to wear our hearts on our sleeve.  

You have some serious courage...

God Bless,  Vickie

Posted 5/3/2008 4:14 AM (GMT 0)

Hey ~ Diana,

 

Your #’s above are correct… it does get a little confusing… doesn’t it!

0.3 and 0.30 are the same (30 pennies) and now the reading is

0.6 (60 pennies)…

 

Read and re-read the postings above ~ and pull the strength that is there for you.

We continue to keep you close ~ and I hope you feel the love that surrounds both of you!

 

When your stepping-stone gets a little too wobbly for you ~ reach out and know that Helping Hands are reaching back to you.   In many different ways…

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

 

 

Hey ~ Rick,

Just a little note to let you know we care about you! and we're here for you and Diana...

Special Hugs coming to both of you from the "3 of Us"

Lee, Buddy, & Murphy too!

 

 

Posted 5/5/2008 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Diana and Rick,

Much prayers for hope and comfort to both of you!

Kind regards,

Posted 5/5/2008 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Rick and Diana,
Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. We hope it turns out well for you. I am 1 week out from my first post-op PSA so I know about the anxiety and fear you must be experiencing.

God Bless,

Joe and Carol
Posted 5/5/2008 4:24 AM (GMT 0)

In thinking about what I would do should my PSA start rising post-op, I found this:

http://www.drcatalona.com/qa/faq_post-op.asp

It also seems that rising PSA is by no means a death sentence. Radiation can still effect a cure, and that together with hormone therapy can keep PCa at bay for many years. They say, long enough for you to die of something else. So with that in mind, I have decided not to stress out over future PSA tests. Let's see if that works in practice.... :-)

Does Rick have a plan? -- is he waiting his PSA reaches a certain level, or is he planning no further treatment, period?  As others here have said, it is a personal decision, dependent on many factors. I think it a good idea to try to persuade Rick to make a plan -- even if it is a "do nothing" option.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Posted 5/11/2008 4:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone!!!!

Thank you all again for your replies. We had a visit with the oncologist and she suggested to Rick that he start thinking about hormone therapy but when she looked further in his file she said she had to warn us about hormone therapy with his heart problems. She said that it could increase his risk of having a heart attack. Needless to say when we left Rick said "See I told You NO MORE TREATMENT!!!!! " I asked about radiation but his Dr. feels that with a Gleason 9 it probally is not a good idea.

I think at this point I have to accept that we are doing post operative watchful waiting. This is hard for me to accept because by nature I am a problem solver and I can't solve this one without his help. I have assured him I will love and care for him no matter what he decides to do even if it is nothing.

Thank you again for your warm words & well wishes, it truly helps.

Diana

Posted 5/11/2008 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diana,

Such disheartening news. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

I have one idea that may be of interest to you. Although there isn't a ton of evidence, I see the potential in the chemo prevention properties of Modified Citrus Pectin. What I have read in PubMed and LEF, is promising. Paul used it for about 18 months post-op as a precaution at his Physician's request. There is enough evidence to warrent funding for more research into citrus pectin's ability to attach to cancer cells. It's one of those can't hurt, might help things. Just thought I'd mention it. Good luck and you two hang in there.

Hygs,  Swim

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