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out of the zero club -

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Posted 12/11/2012 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Well, it's kinda confusing but I may be out of the Zero Club ( PSA <0.10) for now.

I went to the doctor today to discuss my bloodwork and catscan and PSA reading.

My kidney stone is still there - 6mm x 3mm in the ureter right near the bladder - so we will be setting up an appointment to have it zapped - not with a laser this time but with sound waves.
I also have gall stones - no real bother , they don't run in the family and there was no sign of them before and not really having any symptoms ( pain after a heavy or fatty meal, etc) - but the doctor is sending me to a surgeon to investigate - I have stated I think it is a waste of time and I don't think surgery is necessary since I have only had "symptoms" 4- 6 times in a year.
I also have diverticulitis which will be investigated in the new year.

And finally the PSA result from the new clinic testing in November. It is a different clinic than usual but part of the same chain of labs. My previous testing (8 months ago) was 0.02 - the lowest they go - and this one shows up as 0.10 - with no < "less than" sign in sight!
There was a side note under the group of testings asking that the doctor state whether the testing is for "diagnosis or monitoring" - ( which was missing on the original form) - so with my results - it shows the actual result and the mean rate of the testing - ie. PSA 0.10 with mean rate being <0.40 - so maybe they thought I still had a prostate?

I've got the form and will be having my PSA retested this week at my regular lab ( and get the results in the new year). Up here it takes about 2 weeks to get the tests and my doctor will be away for the Christmas holidays. And sorry, we are not allowed to get the results directly, only through a physician noted on the testing request form.
- I have noted on the new form it is for "monitoring" - so we shall see what the results are.
If they are what I expect - <0.10 - I am fine - if it is 0.10 - crap! - and we go to 3 month testing.

As others have said - PCa is a rollercoaster.....


hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/11/2012 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson, here's hoping the results have been incorrectly reported. We'll be pulling for you and waiting to hear further as you learn more. My guess is that they've reported it incorrectly.
Posted 12/11/2012 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
hoping you get the < sign next time, so you can bite the bullet for now.

good luck

david
Posted 12/11/2012 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I vote for a retest too. Here's hoping they just messed up the test orders and the correct orders will show a better result.

I have had gallbladder surgery - on an emergency basis. The pain was incredible and only morphine could control the pain. Do get it checked out. If you're not have serious attacks you can slide by but I'd still suggest you stick to a low fat diet. But I was told that less than half the people with gallstones need surgery and even a small percentage get the acute attack like I had. Still best to get it checked out.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 12/11/2012 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Sorry to hear about the test results. Crap! Let's hope it's wrong and the re-test comes out better for you.

Hang in there...

Jonathan
Posted 12/11/2012 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson...
Hoping it is an error and pulling for you to pull another .02!
Posted 12/11/2012 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson, hoping the repeat test at your regular lab will show the reading you hope for and only sorry you can’t get the results sooner to save you having the doubt hanging over you over the holidays. Stay positive, and praying your repeat results will be a fantastic start to 2013 for you!
Sending you a hug.
Susan
x
Posted 12/11/2012 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
hi Bronson, keep your calm, I know, easier said than done, but important to stay positive because odds are still, even if # is going up, greatly on your side. Having actually worked in a laboratory (and funny enough, on making the PSA assay) I do know how easy it is for lab errors to occur - either wrong calibration, wrongly prepared sample, inexperienced lab technician, the list is long...hugs coming your way!!
Posted 12/11/2012 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson

Hugs!

Retest time!

Until than - enjoy life my friend. Not a dang thing you can do about the PSA.

Hugs

Bud

We will beat this crap
Posted 12/11/2012 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you avoid the physical cliff (although not really humorous at all). Even if blank hits the fan, you know enough as to what is possible for control and options. Hope you stay in the safer ranges. Oh I went to see a decent uro-doc about some pains I had, I asked if I had a kidney stone how do they deal with it? I mentioned can drugs do anything on that? The only reply was surgery would be done, never mentioned the option you just mentioned....is this the uro mindset? Makes me wonder now, and this guy is one of the better uro-docs around here. Hard to believe he needs more education (lol).

Best to you amigo.
Posted 12/11/2012 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all yoyur support - I am staying calm ( quite a surprise for me) and letting it all "go with the flow" -
Zufus - not all cities have the facilities for breaking up the kidney stones with sound waves - the usual route now is going up into the ureter and/or kidney and break it up with a laser and then use a shunt to keep the pathway open to let the fragments pass.
If it gets really bad - and large - they break it up with the sound waves and then - via the back - open up the ureter and kidney area and take out the fragments with tweezers ( no foolin').. eeek!


non-surgical hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/11/2012 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Sorry to hear about the psa. Having kinda the same issue, after URO telling me zero, last week GP tested and come up with a 0.03. Not exactly sure where that puts me. Never got the actual number from the URO, (my fault, I was so tickled I ran out of the office clicking my heels and didnt ask). Different lab, possible different test, and who knows, it may have been a .03 at the start. And it may just be a calibration variation. I go back to the URO in January to get the official test, I am just going to wait until then. It's Christmas and that is just out of sight and out of mind till then.

On the sound wave kidney stone destruction. Been there. I had a big one. Couldnt pass it. So we did the sonic boom. Doped me up very nicely and it was a no big deal. URO was confident they hit it. The pain was gone, but I never ever passed any fragments. about two weeks later BANG!. I passed a whopper of a odd shaped stone, a good bit bigger than yours. What had happened was the stone busted into BB sized pieces and then reglued itself together. But in the regluing, it had left holes so that urine could pass through, and therefore the pain was gone. But that thing was a ugly monster. Scared me to death when it suddeny just appeared at the bottom of the bowl. And was not a pleasant 5 seconds either.

The moral of the story is this. When you get done with the procedure and sober up, drink, drink, drink. Wash those fragments out as soon as possible.
Posted 12/11/2012 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
IronReb - thanks for the advice - I have copied it for future reference.

- with regards to your Uro and GP results - 0.03 is a zero ! (look at my stats)
- that is why when I do my congrats for being in the zero club I state
-CONGRATS ON BEING IN THE ZERO CLUB ( PSA <0.10 - there is no such thing as an absolute zero)

-congrats to you IronReb - may you have a lifetime of zero's!

( and yes, I know I am writing it in the possessive form rather than "zeros"- I have been fussy about other people's spelling in a discussion with Worried Guy )

hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/11/2012 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Guess we get to play musical chairs for a while. Just got my call from last week's PSA draw, <0.1 from Bostwick. Expensive bugger though, cost me a 6 month Lupron shot and the SEs. I'm exactly three months in. PSA was 5.2 in September.

I'm back in, for now. Maybe we can meet in the lobby for a drink as we pass.

Posted 12/11/2012 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bronson. As for your spelling, I am the last man on earth to ever complain about or correct another's spelling. Zeros, zeroes or zero's don't matter, around here we use the word "naught" as in: James Bond is a double naught spy. So I will consider myself still in the Naught Club.
Posted 12/11/2012 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update Bronson and I hope that it is just a blip on the radar. Keep us posted and send some cool weather south bound.

Michael

Posted 12/11/2012 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Pulling for you, Bronson and expecting good news soon to come!
Posted 12/11/2012 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
Given the run of numbers you have had over the past 3 years and the unusual lack of the < symbol with this result my money is on a tech's slack reporting. That is why I am in favour of the ultrasensitive result (you get an exact result) and in addition ensure my doc marks the pathology request "progress post prostatectomy"
Those kidney stones are mean little buggers to be sure. I have a couple in a little jar to remind me of the experience of their passing. I take great pride when "I say I made those"
Good luck with the next PSA and when it comes back as it has always been give somebody a well deserved rocket.
Bill
Posted 12/11/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Boy, you're just full of bad stuff, huh? Various flavors stones, DV, and the residue from PCa. I hope the test will be down below the trip wire and you can address all your others issues.
Posted 12/18/2012 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
... hiya guys ... got my second PSA test from Dec 12-and it is "barely detectable" - 0.09 up from regular non-detectable of 0.02 and the last reading in Nov 2012 of 0.10 - will be off to see Urologist in January to plan course of action, if any. My G.P. wants me to see an Oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto ( one of the best in Canada). The radiation bunker is still being built in Peterborough at PRHC ( one of the things I did a fundraiser for) - so I would have to go elsewhere for treatment anyway.
Not pleased.
Not going to do a knee-jerk response ( terrified of radiation treatments due to family experiences).
Going to enjoy one day at a time.
hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/18/2012 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well Bronson, I have been laying in wait while watching your thread with hopes it was just a fluke. I don't think there is anyone on this forum, that is better prepared to deal with this than you. The timing really sucks, but I know you will not let it ruin your holidays. Sending strength your way to help you find the right answers to continuing the battle.
Posted 12/18/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Startech-
thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

I had three things happen - the PSA - the kidney stone ( which I passed on monday morning - plunk! into my urinal bottle I have in the bedroom - it measured 6mm x 6mm x 3mm and is being analyzed as to what type of stone it is ( to help direct my diet)...
-and - the gall stones ( seeing a doc in Feb 2013 for that)...

-wishing you all the best for the Holiday Season -

hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/18/2012 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Bronson,

Startech is right. I hope this won't dampen your holiday spirits...and you're right about Princess Margaret Hospital. I believe you will be in good hands there.

I have diverticulae on my sigmoid. It was found during a barium colon test. My GP told me that most people my age have it. Diverticulitis (I know you know) is usually an infection and inflammation in this area. I hope that's not causing you any uncomfortable issues. 

Wishing you and Steve a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and Happy everything this season.

All my best wishes to you.

Mike

PS: How was that free-range chicken you guys had with Mr. and Mrs. Worried during your visit? Recipes? I'm often the "chicken" cooker here...and I don't bat a 1000 doing it smilewinkgrin

 

Posted 12/18/2012 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Mike - the free range chicken was great - 15 minutes a pound at 350 degrees F.... so these free range chickens average about 8 pounds -(final internal temperature being 165 degrees F) so 2 hours.
I marinate the chicken with a combination of olive oil, soya sauce and mixed dried herbs ( like a Mrs. Dash type blend - sundried tomato mix is my current fav) - also a cup of water in the bottom of the roaster pan to prevent smoking....

(an easy way to divert my thoughts from PCa is to talk gardening or talk food !)

-If you are ever in our neck of the woods - drop by -:-)

holiday hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/18/2012 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Well, at least the Ghost of Kidney Stones Passed has visited you. I hope the other two spirits are as kind.

And, speaking of spirits, remember that Merry Christmases are not found at the bottom of a bottle.

They tend to float to the top.

If you pour carefully you can decant one and save most of your booze for the New Year when you may need it.

Have a good one. We're all pulling for you.
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