my first post op consultation

Hi Everyone

I've just got back from seeing my Uro for my first post op consultation. My PSA (blood taken last week, 6 weeks post op) result was 0.01!

The Uro remarked that "I will probably die from a heart attack like the rest of us". He said that the chance of recurrence was about 20%, which means (if I've done the math correctly!) I have an 80% chance of a "cure". I know it's early days yet and not quite the time to be breaking out the champagne, but this was again better news than what I was expecting. I just have to hope that my PSA stays this low and I know the next few months and years will be the acid test.

I have another PSA test in 6 weeks and see him again in 4 months. I guess he will make a decision then (depending on my PSA results) on whether I should get RT or not.

When I asked him about the lymphovascular and perineural invasion and whether this was significant in the context of my overall Path Report, he said it wasn't. I also asked about the significance of a tertiary 5 with my Gleason 7 and asked if it was in fact an actual G8 and he said no, it was still a G7, but with a few high grade cancer cells present.

I’m still not sure whether I should seek another opinion at this stage, or wait until I see my Uro in 4 months time. Anyone got any advice, or if anyone has any comment to make on what I have been told, please feel free to post.

One thing I did forget to ask him was: can I return to exercise (light weights in the gym, cross trainer, swimming, cycling). Anyone got any advice on this?

Thanks guys

OzBob,

First, congratulations on your great PSA result!

Second,  take it easy getting back to exercise.  My personal suggestion is that you not begin anything vigorous with weights until at least 3 months post-surgery.  Start gradually  and you'll be back in shape in no time.  Meanwhile, you can do lots of walking, which will help. You can probably begin swimming and cycling a little sooner, but don't push it.  Your body has suffered a major surgical insult, so be patient and give it time to heal.  My body recovered soon enough without pushing the envelope, as yours will.

Take care....Tim

On Ya Bob, I'll have a pint of XXXX please. Cheers Kev.

 

OzBob,

Congratulations on the big fat 0, I joined the club last week and there is a stool at the bar waiting for you. As the new member you have to buy the first round of drinks tonight, see you there for my drink.

Terry TWG

Ozbob -- great, great news!

Congratulations.


Sheldon AKA Sleepless

Ozbob, Congratulations from Texas! I hope to have a seat at the Zero bar with you in just a few months! With numbers like these, you've plenty of time to get back to the gym.

Fantastic news! That .01 PSA not only puts you in the deep part of the zero club, but also gives you a good prognosis. I read a paper (can't recall where now), in which a PSA in that range after surgery is a good indication for non-progression in the future. And if it does recurr, there's a good chance it would be local rather than remote. So if I were you, I would put PC out of my mind for 3-4 months and just concentrate on getting your body back to normal.

about exercise, go gently. Even if you feel like you're your old self, the body is still healing inside and doesn't have a lot of extra energy for heavy exercise. I overdid it with walking some hills after 3 weeks and was back in my recliner for another month with terrible tendinitis.

Congratulations!  That is great news. 

My husband had PNI as well as a Gleason 7 (4+3) + tertiary 5 just like your path results and his doctor was not too concerned when we questioned it.  In fact, he told him to come back in 6 months for another PSA test.  I was concerned about the 6 month interval so he will have his primary doctor do another PSA test when he goes for his next office visit in November, which will make it 3 months from his post-op PSA test.  We will continue on having his PSA checked every 3 months even if we have to pay out of pocket. 

Thanks guys for all your comments.

Your support and information over these last few weeks has been a tremendous help to me in coming to terms with this disease.