PSA anxiety is definately a PITA

Interesting. The idea that a G6 should have less PSA anxiety than my G9 world seems upside down.

If I were a G6, I would be concerned about every tick on the PSA clock, but with my uro, would only be getting standard tests, so I wouldn't be seeing then. As a G9, I fully expect the crap to come in truckloads. A few points of PSA is great compared to 30-day doubling time. I expect the worst, so anything better than that is great. Knowing how bad it could be, there is no anxiety. Hope, perhaps, that it will slow down.

Jerry - Here is my nightmare scenario. I know many here have gone through this very scenario so I don't mean it in a judgmental way.

I try to put cancer behind me and imagine living at least until i'm 58 (that's 15 years away now) without any more major medical issues. Then a test reveals that the cancer is back. Not only to I have to face going down the same shock, anxiety, fear and depression, I now have to embark on some pretty serious and potentially last resort salvage options before accepting that I have a cancer that cannot be cured and that could turn really ugly at any time. I know many of the guys here are doing great regardless of this path, but it's a scary thing for those us testing.

Bloodhounds are my favorite dogs without a doubt. My wife would neve rlet me have a slobbering dog like that in the house.

Paul, had my father died of PC in front of me, I am certain I would entertain all kinds of fear on my end. And the whole concept of compartmentalizing has been the method in my life as an adult. Wish it were taught as a class, perhaps it is to some degree. I was the same way in the working world, the same way with the normal every day problems in my life. And I am not saying I am right, I know it works for me and it works for others too. I am hardly the only person. The downside, is sometimes people assume that I don't have emotions, because I don't get excited one way or the other about events, just take things in stride. Now with the chronic pain issues I have experienced for nearly 2 year now, its eating away at a different part of my brain. Kind of hard to put it in a compartment, when you are aching in pain around the clock, no physical way to ignore what is hurting, despite meds.

I think PSA anxiety is something that each person can examine, and if they are having real issues with it, then talk it out, and yes, if possible, try to learn to keep it in its proper perspective. Especially for the men that are fortunate enough to be doing well post treatment. And it does convince more and more, that ultra sensitive testing has only limited value. If one's rates are rising, then readings to .xx are important, to determine trigger points for possible secondary treatments. Just depends on how you look at things. We know that some people are natural worry warts, and others aren't, not saying that one is bad or good, just different. From a positive attitude point of view, then not worrying about minute increases would have to be seen as the better of alternatives in my opinion.

david

We are human,after eight years of zeros I still get anxious.

I'm with gold horse. After 6 years I still get little anxious. When this all started, I hadn't yet retired and I started a ritual I still follow and highly recommend. I take the afternoon for myself and do relaxing things. I hit the Public Library for a few hours, I always visit a shop down the street from the hospital that sells WAY high end shotguns and fly fishing equipment (I bought a book once. However, I'm sure a fancy pants English side x side would be good for my prostate health.), get my blood drawn, and then treat myself to a nice martini. I always show up back home in a good mood!

I need to do it before the month is out. June has 31 days, doesn't it?!

Good luck on the test Ricky!

That's a zero to everyone. Great news!

That's great Ricky....congrats

Btw- my last Lupron shot was Oct. I got my results back a few days ago and they were undetectable as well. Now let's go have a drink and celebrate .