HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Appreciate your opinion - am I out of the woods?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/8/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Just received my ultra-sensative PSA test results, and again, <.02. I have had 3 tests since my surgery, and while my post-surgery pathology showed positive margins and my surgeon was concerned at the amount of cancer he discovered in my bladder, all 3 tests have been effectively undetectable.

Next test is in January (a standard PSA), and the next ultra-sensative test is scheduled for April.

So the question I have, and I understand I may be premature, but am I out of the woods?

Thanks again for all the support

pat
Posted 11/8/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Pat,

For all practical purposes, you are, and you should live like you are. The positive margin is one of those things that may or may not prove problematic to you in the future. I had one tiny one, and was told not to worry about it, yet it caused recurrence within 9 months of surgery. But that's just me. Other men with positive margins are 5 years out or more without recurrence.

So again, I would take your news as good news, and keep on keeping on as if you were cured. If, and only if, your PSA starts to rise one day (God forbid), then I wouldn't even think about it.

David
Posted 11/8/2013 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Pat,

You'll never be completely out of the woods but just now it's full of rabbits, singing birds and patches of filtered sunlight. A pretty good place to be. Just keep you eyes open.
Posted 11/8/2013 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Good report, happy for you. I have positive margins also and I have learned to not let them rule my world. I have faith in my surgeon that he did the best he could, the rest is up to G*d.

Regards,
Bill from Florida cool
Posted 11/8/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)

So the question I have, and I understand I may be premature, but am I out of the woods? 

I am three years past treatment with essentially a zero.  I consider myself in remission, not cured.

ed

 

Posted 11/8/2013 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say you're in a nice little cabin on the edge of the forest with a nice trout stream flowing past.

Not completely out as you can see the forest but far enough away to enjoy the sun, stars and the afternoon breeze.

Go live some life and enjoy.
Andrew
Posted 11/8/2013 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
My opinion, negative, not that there's anything wrong with that. but agree with the sentiment above i.e., so what, live your day like its your first and last. "Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness"
The Christophers, circa 1950's
Posted 11/9/2013 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
With each passing PSA that is undetectable you are one step closer to this whole thing being just a passing bump in the road.  You're cancer free right now and that is something to celebrate.

Tom

Posted 11/9/2013 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Pat
Congratulations on your great scores! Dr Walsh feels the super sensitive PSA tests cause needless anxiety; you are in a very good place ... Too bad you've been led to believe that you should worry about such good results. Try to get on with life.

Bob
Posted 11/10/2013 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I definitely think.02 is an excellent psa. But you asked a simple question and to clarify, no I do not think you are "out of the woods" 10 mos after surgery , I dare sa
y there are some 10 mos post op who aren't " out of the woods" just from a surgical recovery point of view. With a .02 I would not be asking the question, Am I cured… or... am I going to have a recurrence. A minor difference with break60 here. I don't believe any belief from a person is any thing but self led,. We are all responsible for our own bodies and what we believe about em. The individual when all is said and done makes the the decision. If he doesn't it is not the person who has a different viewpoint on said subject who is responsible. In the end it is the individual who is responsible……, unless of course he or she is maliciously and ironically "misled" Irony / paradox!?!?
Posted 11/11/2013 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Oldguysrule58 (Pat),

This is great news! Congratulations!

I sincerely hope that you continue to have undetectable
readings.

All the best,

Joe.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply