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How do you not worry about your next PSA results?

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Posted 10/20/2008 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
I am coming up on my 6 month PSA and I think and worry about it more each day.  I received good news after the 3 month test but now my mind is focused on the 6 month.  Does it get better over time? 
Posted 10/20/2008 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Mind over matter...Think positive. In other words - just assume you're on the road to success untill you hear otherwise
Posted 10/20/2008 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
rob2, I was the same as you, the three month didn't cause me a great deal of worry, I guess because with all the business of recovering from surgery and getting back to work did not leave me a lot of time to stress about it, but the six month was different. It allowed me a lot of time to read, look at recurrence rates, etc. But it turned out OK, since then I have had a good 9 and 12 month PSA, and now have tests at 18 and 24 months. All I can tell you is time will make the dread go away, after all it is just fear, which you are entitled, but the stats are on our side, and worrying about will not accomplish anything but stress. Now if I find myself fretting over numbers, I take stock in the fact that I am alive and well, surgery is behind me, and there is an abundance of lifes greatest things at my feet, reach down and enjoy, and remember that for everything that is taken away, life will give you something else, if you let it happen. Worrying about something you cannot control only steals more of your time, which now is more precious than ever. Good Luck, everything will be OK.

Randy
Posted 10/20/2008 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Rob,

What you are experiencing is normal. It gets easier (honest it does) albiet, doesn't quite leave you. Find new ways to use the anxious energy to complete those meant-to chores or volunteer a little time to the church or other community activity. Men want to know what women do? This is what we do! At least it's what "I" (Paul too) do. We can't fix everything but we can do good somewhere, for someone.

Swim
Posted 10/20/2008 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Rob,
I fully understand. But Swim and the others are right. It does lighten up. But I don't really look forward to any of them. Mine are done every 4 months, and will stay that way until next summer when we reduce them to every 3 months post hormone therapy. That will be for a year or more.

I have, however, managed the emotions well. I like some of the suggestions. I do work in the church/community, and also play in the mountains a lot, and generally do things I enjoy. Doing productive things keeps my mind off of it. I don't think anybody here does not get the jitters as a test looms. I guess the key message is don't let it consume you. It is what it is. And stay positive!

Tony
Posted 10/20/2008 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
I can identify since I'm near 6 months. Although with my greater than expected drop at 3 months I'm assuming they got it all. Stay tuned.
Posted 10/20/2008 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

Rob,

On Thursday I get the results of my 12 month PSA test.  I found the 6 week, 3 month and 6 month check-up the worst.  I hardly slept for a week leading up to the doctors appointment. smhair   I was mildly apprehensive for the 9 month check-up confused   and not overly worried about the upcoming one. rolleyes  

Will the worry always be their... YES... but it's getting smaller all the time.

 

Hang in there it only gets better. turn

Posted 10/20/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

   I for one am not going to worry about tomorrow until today....and then, what will be will be...I'd hate to be worrying about something and not see the bus that runs me over in the road!! 

 Deal with it as it comes, enjoy the good things around you, family, friends, the good earth.......don't waste the next three months being all anxious and stuff, enjoy life and all it brings.... that worrying will just sorta' slip away....good luck

    ..ps, it's a absolutely glorious day in this part of the midwest....

 

Posted 10/20/2008 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious, but the important thing is to not let worry control your life.  Life goes on, no matter what our emotions, so it helps to fully engage in life around us so our thoughts and emotions don't derail us.  Hard work can be an antidote to excessive anxiety.

In my own experience, the anxiety has lessened over time, but never goes away entirely, especially as PSA test time nears twice a year. It also helps to say it out loud ('I'm worried') or write it down or share it with understanding friends (There are plenty of understanding friends here at this forum)

Take care and hang in there...Tim

 

Posted 10/20/2008 5:28 PM (GMT 0)

Rob2, I go for my 12 month PSA in two weeks, and although there is a little worry in the back of my mind, I focus on the positive, My operation got all the cancer, clean margins and the other three PSA's have all been zero, so I am continue to expect them to be zero unless proven otherwise!

Beachbum

Posted 10/20/2008 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

I had blood drawn two weeks ago for my 7-month PSA test and haven't worried about it at all. I go to see my Uro later today, so should find out the result then.

Obviously I am hoping for a good result, but if it isn't, it is still not a death sentence -- radiation and HT may feature in my future. Statistically without PCa, I have only 17 years to live. If the worst happens, and my PCa spreads, I will still have another 5 to 10 years left -- so it simply means I will be leaving this earth a bit sooner than I thought.

Don't know whether those thoughts help anyone else to stop worrying, but they work for me.

Posted 10/20/2008 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Well I get my first 4 week post surgery PSA tomorrow...worried...meh

Guess if I thought worring would lower or keep my PSA low, then I would worry like the dickens. But because it won't...why worry.
Posted 10/20/2008 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I want to thank you all for replying. It means a lot to me getting all of your input. I will keep a positive attitude and do the things you have recommended!
Posted 10/21/2008 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rob:  I'm nearly two years out and still going for the PSA test every six months.  I find that once I get the negative result, I can relax for the next 5-1/2 months or so.  Then, when the time for the next test test comes, I get the anxiety thing going about two weeks in advance.  If the waiting game drives you nuts (like me) ask your doc to give you the request for the PSA test and get your blood work done at your local lab, rather than at your doc's office  Then. you can request that the lab gives your result to you directly (they're generally ready the next day) and have them copy your doc as well.  That way, you don't have to wait days and days or until your next appointment for the doc to give you your result.  I have found that method to be a great relief for me, havng waited up to 8 days at times for my result.

I've talked to a lot of Pca guys and after about three years or so of negative PSAs, they tend to stop worrying about it.

In the meantime, taking the PSA test still feels like playing Russian Roulette, to me.  It's a game none of us cared to be part of,

but here we are.  With each new Zeeeero though, the anxiety ebbs.

Best to ya,

Tom

Posted 10/21/2008 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a lot like PianoMan.....about 2-4 weeks before my next PSA I start to get a little jittery--- its does get a bit better each time, but still nerve racking. I try to review the POSTIVE things about my prognosis, and that helps. Its still like waiting for a verdict from the jury when I go in for the results.

I get my lab work done ahead of time and have it sent to my doc -- but I let him give me the results. I went thru having a post-surg rise in PSA, and was told by the lab tech who really didn't understand my concern. If I have a rise now, I'd rather hear it from the doc and get his immediate thoughts --- we're probably all a bit different.
Posted 10/21/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)

....guess I'm lucky, when I go in to see Uro, I get my blood drawn, then 15 minutes later he's telling me my PSA #...does it all right there in his office....works for me...heck, maybe I just don't have time to get nervous :-)

Posted 10/21/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Rob I suppose I could echo what the others have said, it is always on your mind, however it does not have to consume you. Be sure to live each and everyday as if it were last. Life is a precious gift and we deserve to try as best we can to live it stress free. Please let us know how things go.

peace and love
dale
Posted 10/21/2008 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm, I've never been one of the "live like I'm dying" sort of person's myself. Live as if there is a road yet untraveled and head that direction. What lies ahead is not of our choosing entirely but, it is full of possibilities and fellowship, making the unknowns a lot less scary and the possibilities a lot more fun! I make it a point to do at least one spontaneous kindness every day during my travels. It's a heck of a ride :>) Takes the mind off the ruts and on to other possibilities :>)

God Bless,
Swim
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