Well, certainly didn’t get the good news we were hoping for. I will give you the bottom line first, in those six months, my PSA post-SRT has gone from .06 to 1.20. Nope, not .12, but 1.20. If my math is correct, that is a 2,000% increase. Of course they drew blood for a re-test, but we have used the same lab for 9 years now, and they have never made a mistake before.
The doctor and I were fully expecting an increase during this period, but not this much of an increase and so fast. I am still in a bit of shock to be honest.
Several things are going to happen next. Thursday, I am having a special kidney test ran, to make sure there is no scarring taking place since my last surgery. Next Monday, I am having a full body scan done, with an emphasis on my right inner hip where I have been having all this chronic pain the past 2 months. We are not expecting it to find any metastasis, but it needs to be ruled out. Sonny, if you are reading this, you will know exactly what I mean.
Unless the PSA really continues to skyrocket, he wants 3 months checks without exception, and already making arrangements to see if we can go over my case with a good medical oncologist. I would prefer to use the doctor that treated men 11 years ago on the previous cancer.
He does not recommend jumping into HT or any other kinds of drugs at this exact moment, he knows my personal feelings on the subject. That option is lying out there if needed, and if I consent.
As usual, he is never in a rush with me, once in the room, we spent a full 35 minutes going over everything. He never rushes, and fully explains any questions I have. He is very aware that I come here on HW, we have talked about it many times before.
Even though I am considered healed from the urostomy surgery, he wants me to continue with the physical therapy due to the chronic fatigue issues, the dizziness, and the hip pain. So far, my BlueCross doesn’t seem to mind, they are paying 100% for the therapy without question.
I did ask if there was any way my post surgery pathology could have been wrong, as my case has acted more aggressive than a lot of T2C cases, but he doesn’t think so, but if I wanted to have a second reading by any other pathology group, we could do it.
Zufus, if you are reading this, he talked about the many strains of PC, and how there is no sure way of knowing what one is dealing with. My case and journey does give credence to the problems associated with extreme PSA velocity as I have talked about all along. My doctor feels this is the case. I had BCR in 9 months after surgery, and now have SRT failure confirmed at 15 months post. Pretty convincing.
That’s the scoop right now. Don’t know what to say, or what the future holds for me. Glad I got a good, caring doctor on my side, and as usual, he’s not trying to rush me into anything. Next PSA test is already set up for May. As soon as the kidney test and bone scan comes back, he said he would contact me.
Disappointed, but hardly surprised, David in SC