Blood draw(s) in the morning, finally

Starting to seem like a long 6 months since my last PSA test.  After my intense Ileal Conduit Surgery in September, I put off the next PSA test until now, for the simple reason of getting through a holiday season without bad medical news, and of course, being in the midst of recovering from a very major surgery.  No regrets in that decision.

I go at 0830 to my GP to get blood work drawn up for non-PC medical reasons.  Then at 1030, to the Uro for the PSA test.  I like to be consistent with the labs, so only use my Uro for the PSA tests.  The two doctors use 2 different labs.

Normally I would want results of the PSA asap, usally the next day, but I am going to wait till next Monday when I meet with my Uro.  We will go over the number then, don't feel any need to know any sooner.  Probably be my last post-surgery visit with him from this most recent surgery.

Then 2 days later, will meet with my GP about the rest of my health.

So by the middle of next week, should have a pretty good picture of where I stand once more, after a 6 month break from testing.  If the PSA has climbed even more, then so be it.  Delaying my tests didn't cause that.  Just delayed knowing that.

If by some miracle the PSA has held tight  (very doubtful according to my doctors) then I can sigh a big sigh of relief.

It is still my intention not to pursue any other treatment if the SRT has failed.  Will let nature takes it course.

David in SC

Ditto to the previous message  - all the best David. You make an outstanding contribution here. Good luck.

David:

Good luck on your PSA results.

I will get mine on the 1st. I am still having major back issues. I'm hoping things will improve by then. Regardless, I will do the test and I am all set to start SRT within a week of getting the results.

Mel

Hoping for the best...

Well I'm going to be thinking of you tomorrow and pulling for an excellent result. A wise move I think waiting to see the doc for the results ----- may as well have a good weekend.
Take care and good luck,
Bill

Thank you fellows, one and all. And Zen, thank you for that too. I always appreciate the true support here. I need it as much as I give it ,trust me.

This might seem odd to say, but I don't feel penalized or singled out for getting the PC, I accept that fully as having meant to be, don't even feel a need to vent on the PC subject. Yes, been through a lot of pain and hell the past 2 plus years as the result of it, but not bitter to that fact.

I am still upset about needing this urostomy (stoma), I feel that the destruction of my bladder could have been avoided. I am bothered by it, by having to wear a device for life, for having to need a catheter bag for life at night, for worrying about the device coming loose in public and flooding me (happened already), and being forced to sleep on my back (not a normal position for me). If the SRT works, I could say, perhaps, in time, that it was worth all this, but if the SRT fails, then I will hate myself for going along with the SRT. If I knew it wasn't going to work, would have never gone through all this pain and suffering, and now this stoma for a failed cured. Guess you could call that my vent.

The rest of it, I try to take in stride.

David in SC

David said..................The rest of it, I try to take in stride.

________________________________

I have my blood taken next Wednesday. Hope yours is good, too

Mike

David-
distance may make the heart grow fonder - and distance often makes the original reason for surgery ( extreme pain) fade and lessen. But when the surgery results in another problem - it pushes the original pain from being intolerable to something you could have lived with....

-the above statement is relating to my experience with the leg surgery to remove the excessive bone growth and pins from my upper right femur.... since the surgery (2008) my back and the scoliosis that was discovered during that surgery - has declined and I am in near daily pain with it .... and the memory of the leg pain is a very distant memory...

-I can only recall the real feelings in my writing at the time period- so I may not be in the best place right now - I am here now - and will work at dealing with it and making things better....

healing hugs,
BRONSON
.......
post edit note - I get my PSA blood drawn tomorrow ( Feb 22) and get the results at the doc/uro/surgeon on March 24...
......

wishing you the best

Ray

So hoping for good news for you, David.

Juliet

Thanks again, ladies and gents. And Mike in Canada, will be wishing only the best for your test too, you have had a good ride so far and hope it stays that way. And Bronson, I can relate to your words too, thanks.

I did something for myself this evening, went to a lecture on "Filmmaking", with my daughter and her husband. Its rare for me to go out at night. Felt kind of good.

You guys/gals are a great bunch, and I consider it an honor to be in such good company. Doesn't matter to me that we fuss and feud sometimes - as we are all educating ourselves constantly on this cursed cancer, and on any given day, who knows what any of us are really feeling and/or fearing. I do plenty of both.

David

David, best of luck on the test brother. Hope you pull a crap load of zeroes.

Sonny

Hope you receive the best of all possible news! Sending positive vibes your way...