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Posted 5/10/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

Good News

I just got the news yesterday via the answering machine that my PSA was not detectable <0.05.  I feel like the 700 pound Gorrila just got off my back and sat in the chair next to me. I am so very pleased with this considering the bad margin and all.

Bad News

I met with the oncologist today and he was also very please with the PSA but with my expected life to run another 20 or more years, he will meet with Urologist and Radiation Oncologist to discuss the use of radiation to put the gravy on the potatoes so to speak.

I realize that this is the first PSA and after suffering from "PSA Interval Stress Syndrome" (PISS) tongue I am displaying cautious optimism.

Hind sight speaking,  I feel I should have gone to a regular Oncologist with prostate experience as soon as I was diagnosed.  He seemed to provide a very different dialog in regards to course of action.  He did state he would have recomended surgery in my case but since he neither does surgery or radiates he was completely unbiased.  I loved this guy...

But now I have different questions...

The decision for radiation in mine.  Who else has made this decision with bad margins and what were your considerations?

Should I be able to keep working full time through this?

I am greatly concerned about side effects or permenant damage to the rectum, those fine little nerves that were just spared and of course all of ours second priority, continence.

Thank you all for being there for me.

Best Regards

Frank

Posted 5/10/2008 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Frank,

I can't help with the radiation but I appreciate the new acronym.. I always wondered what they called that...

Jim
Posted 5/10/2008 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Frank,

I am linking the Han Table.  I entered your post-surgery pathology results and it shows the likelihood of cancer returning.

Thought this might be of help to you.

http://urology.jhu.edu/prostate/hanTables.php

Posted 5/10/2008 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Frank,

You should be able to continue to work. One side effect may be fatigue but I was told that at my age it should not be a problem and it wasn't. You'll just have to take time away from work everyday for 7 weeks or so unless you can get appointments outside of your working hours.

As far as making the decision to proceed with radiation the doctors wanted to take an aggressive approach and I agreed and have had no regrets.

I was pad free for a few weeks prior to radiation but now have stress incontinence and will wear a pad, most of the time, when I leave the house. Quite often I didn't need to but occasionally I glad I did. It does seem to be improving.

The only rectal problems I had was a little rawness, while having treatments, but Preperation H took care of that. I believe damage to the rectum is rare.

My ED problems seemed to stay the same but now seem to improving ever so slightly.
Without ever using any aids at all I achieve a 60 - 70% erection. Before radiation it was probably 50%.

Ken
Posted 5/10/2008 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Good news about the PSA.  The rest of it will come into focus as you consult to see the options.  With a positive margin, it's almost accepted that 'salvage' radiation could be the next step. 

Posted 5/10/2008 5:14 PM (GMT 0)

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.

Woo~Hoo!

Great News!  Frank's a big Zero. 

I knew you didn't have it in you!!!!

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

God Bless and heal fast!

Tony

Posted 5/10/2008 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Frank, really good news.

Now you can spend a little time at the cabin.

Take care,

Billy
Posted 5/10/2008 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Good news like this always cheers me, Frank!   Hope your continued monitoring has equally negative results.  Tim
Posted 5/12/2008 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Frank - who was the oncologist and was he at U of C?? our appointment is next week and I wonder if we should see him at the same time as dr. Shalhav??

Thanks for your help and congrats on the PSA what great news!

 

Posted 5/12/2008 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Frank

Great news on the big "0" and keep em coming. As for salvage radiation it looked as through my cancer was contained with-in the prostate but did have some close margin calls in a spot or two. My first two PSA tests were undetectable but my third one saw a slight rise, so after a couple more tests over the next 4 months to validate the results and seeing it continue to rise I started salvage radiation on April 14, 2008. I have as of this morning 21 treatments completed and 15 to go and so far, knock wood, it has not affected me too badly. I work every day and keep up with kid events late in the day. There was one Friday that by the end of the day I was pretty tired but I don't know that it was just the treatments, I think everything else helped that too. The only thing I have had is my bowels got a little active but a couple half doses of over the counter medication and I have been fine and have not had any again now in over a week. I will up-date as I finish my last three weeks and see what happens from here on in. Good luck with your decision and may you never see your PSA rise again.

Norskie
Posted 5/12/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

Frank

I was one who was surprised/shocked to find out my cancer was worse than the pre surgery biopsy predicted.  At my 3 month post surgical check, even though my psa was .01, my surgeon and oncologist discussed radiation.  They mentioned that some recent studies have shown that for positive margin patients, radiation within the first year will improve your chances to avoid reoccurance.  When the 6 month psa check was .08, my mind was made up.  I really never had side effects during, or after the 32 radiation treatments.  So far, my psa continues to be 0 and I'm continuing on the hormone zoladex for a total of two years.  The radiation probably has zapped those saved nerves, and the hormones can have some side effects as well, but I haven't had a real problem.  However, I proudly escorted my daughter down the wedding isle Saturday, and living many more years to experience grand kids and all the rest of the benefits of my post retirement life is my highest priority - and my wifes as well.

Posted 5/13/2008 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
An excellent acronym! Great news on your first post-op PSA--------------may they continue yeah

Bill
Posted 5/13/2008 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I would recommend you go for the salvage radiation.  My situation is very similar to Norskies, I finished nine weeks of IMRT on March 6th with a total dose of 72gy I believe.  My PSA was .1 when I started and at my six week check a couple of weeks ago it was down to .03.  I have had very few bad side effects but radiation has caused some aches and pains in my hips and thighs that I did not have before and my rectum is still tender but this is all manegeable.  I waited 26 months before I went for the radiation and I wish I had done it sooner, so my advice is to go for it.  As far as sexual impact I have had no problems so far but the doctor said it could take up to six months before we delared victory on that front.  Good luck with your decision!

Posted 5/13/2008 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your kind and informative comments. I am awaiting my appointment to be made with the Radiation Oncologist at this time. I will do this next step if they recomend and I am pretty sure they will.

Thanks again to all of you,
Frank
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