Latest PSA Reading

Finally got my latest reading from last week's tests:  40.4

Rose as expected, but not as much as I anticipated.  Dr. told me before, that in case of having advanced PC after double BCR events, that often the normal thinking about doubling-times dont' really apply, since we are probably dealing with mutiple sites of cancer, that are growing at different speeds.

Will be meeting with him again in December, and see if he wants to maintain our "watch", or start talking about doing something.  What "doing nothing", other than watching is accomplishing, is buying me some QOL time, which is greatly reduced because of my chronic pain and fatigue.  Yes, its a bit of a gamble, concerning confirmed mets showing up at some point, but its a trade off and gamble I am willing to take.  He still isn't interested in treating a particular number or some "line in the sand".  He feels that he will treat me as a patient in general, and see how things go.  As mentioned in a previous thread, he's moving my appointment times from every 3 months to every 2 months.

I was expecting a number in the low 50s to be honest, so I was pleasant surprised.  He's told me before, the other hope, is that it will stop accelerating as fast and begin to crawl up, which would buy me more time.

david in sc

David,

This strikes me as a bit of good news. Congratulations!

SC

The more time I can buy, without subjecting my poor battered body to any more side effects or QOL issues to me, is good news. I know, ultimately, things will worsen, but until then, trying to do the best I can, with what I have to work with.

Sonny, if you read this thread, you can see you and I are still going neck and neck with increasing PSA numbers under similar circumstances. I hope you get to keep your much better phsycial conditon for years to come. I envy you sometimes in that regards, in a good way, not at all jealous, happy that you are still able to maintain the lifestyle that you are now adapting too, and doing all the things you want to do.

Right now, I will take what I can get, and accomplish a few things in my life while I am still able to.

David

I can totally understand the QOL issues. This past weekend my husband shared with me that he just wants his body back. So this crap is hard on you guys.

David it is obviously better that your PSA did not rise as much as you thought it would --- congratulations(?) on that point. I completely understand your point of view re additional treatment at this time. We have all seen very high PSA numbers here respond to different therapies so delaying your next line of action on the Pca front should not make too much difference so far as the response to those therapies is concerned ---- as you point out, it's better to deal with something immediate (such as your pain and its causes) and deal with the other a little down the track.
Bill

thanks guys. and mal, your numbers are just as important, i never like to compare. good luck on yours, michael

thanks cynthia, i am four years into it, and the game is getting older by the day, and harder to want to fight at times. PC has a mind of its own thats why each journey is so unique, doesnt play by any rules that we know of.

not a chance of that, san carlos. surely you jest, still on zero supplements or vitamins, per doctor.

i only guessed a higher reading, wasn't based on anything factual of course, still hasn't ever leveled off or dropped even a fraction. but i am still ok with the situation, no reason to panic or to jump into an advanced treatment that may or may not help.

david

thanks andrew, i have no pencils at hand, so you are ahead of me.

sounds like you need some serious rest

david

Thanks for the update. Happy it was lower than you expected and understand you Quality of Life comments.

Dave/Purg--As one vet to another I can only partially understand--remember though, you still have to get the litigation approved in your favor and settle the VA disability claim. KEEP us informed please. GODSPEED.
BILL

Sounds really good David, it´s slowing down. I don´t know if this number that Duke68 calculated is correct, but it is a generally accepted fact that it is really hard to die of PC when PSA doubling time is 18+ months. When PSA doubling time is 9-12 months, only 5% of patients were dead at 10 years. So slowing down is GOOD!

Great chatting it up with you last nite and I completely understand where you are coming from. My wish is that your new expert will figure a way to alleviate your pain in a way that is acceptable to your risk tolerance. I am also hoping Mrs. R heals nicely and quickly.