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First bloodwork after SRT - test results in - YIPPEE

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Posted 12/16/2013 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I had salvage radiation treatments - oct 1 - nov 19 - after being in remission for 3 years
... having new PSA bloodwork done tomorrow morning - dec 16
... will be talking to oncologist on january 6, 2014
... he had said the resulting numbers will be my new baseline and we will then retest every 4 months to see if the numbers are going up or down
...is there such a thing as a "good" new PSA baseline - or a bad one?
(see signature below for last numbers before SRT)
.... thanks.

Bronson
Posted 12/16/2013 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
Here's hoping the PSA is really low.

There is no absolute number other than lower and not going up that I know of.

If I was placing a bet on you, I'd be looking at something under .15 for the first post SRT PSA.

Of course that is based on my extensive medical knowledge which means you should ignore everything I say. ;)

Hang in there.
Andrew
Posted 12/16/2013 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Should be under .10, for first one, if typical. could be a bit higher.

what you don't want with SRT, is ever any increase. that should never happen if it's working or if it worked. its not like RT as a primary treatment, where a bounce is expected. There is no bounce with SRT.

Hoping for the best outcome for you.
David
Posted 12/16/2013 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hopefully "undetectable," or the near equivalent. Best luck and best wishes!

NewspaperLover
Posted 12/16/2013 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
You're a happy camper if it's less than 0.1 Mine was 0.03. Since then they just say 0.

My doctor likes to talk a bit after that number but I stop listening once it's good news.
Posted 12/18/2013 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew, David, NewspaperLover, STW:
Thank you for your feedback and kind words of support.
I am hoping for the best - a good low new baseline.
Body functions side effects have increased again ( I ate fibre rich cereal one day) so back to RT diet and things are starting to calm down again.

Looking to lose weight starting in the new year - 50-60# - just cutting out the bad stuff - habitual nibbles - and diet pop ( back to water).

I can access my test results tomorrow - I call up a special phone number - they tell me the numbers - I am asked to repeat the numbers back to them.

-argh-
-this disease is bad - but the waiting and the fear and anxiety can be overwhelming at times -
argh -

hopeful hugs,
Bronson


p.s. Happy Christmas time to one and all.
holiday hugs,
Bronson and Steve



...
Posted 12/18/2013 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson, good luck with your test. After I failed surgery my Psa rose to .2 from a low of <0.05 ....did SRT and it pushed my PSA back down to 0.05 , unfortunately it started rising after about 18 months.....that was almost 10 years ago....I also failed HT......but I am still here and doing well ( except the colon cancer !! ) latest PSA was 0.17.....my options now Zytiga, MDV 3100......perhaps back to ARN 509, Provenge...and a number of trials......the point being there are still lots of options.....I am over 11 years out from DX with positive lymph nodes and positive seminal vesicles. Have a great holiday.
Terry
Posted 12/19/2013 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Terry - thanks for the good thoughts and sharing your determination.....
holiday hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/19/2013 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson, waiting to see the numbers. Praying for low numbers.
Posted 12/19/2013 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
tatt2man

Please let us know your results when you get them. You probably should see something <0.1, but as I recall at the time of my first test, my RO told me it sometimes takes a few months to drop completely.

Best of luck tomorrow.

Jim
Posted 12/19/2013 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
My first test was 3 months after SRT and was 0.02... Doc said that was as good as he would have expected after 3 months... tests after that were all 0.01's...

Praying for a great result for you...

pasayten
Posted 12/19/2013 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
I just finished SRT a week ago, RO told me number might be a little high and then should go down. I saw you said you drink diet pop, I've been drinking something called Talking Rain Sparkling Water, if you like pop, I think you'll really like it, and it's much better for you. Hoping your numbers stay low for a long time. Stay well.
Posted 12/19/2013 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
My RO did a PSA 1 month after I finished SRT to use as a baseline. The drop after one month, and even 3 months, was less than I had hoped for, but the drops after that were significant. Radiation keeps working on the cells for more than a year after treatment is completed. Good luck!

Paul
Posted 12/19/2013 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
thank you to Cajun Jeff, Jim, Pasayten, Eaglekeeper, Paul for your kind words and support.....
:-)


yippeee !

certainly a good early Christmas gift for me.

I just called the labs and my dec 16 PSA test came back at 0.038 !!!

yippee !

When discussing this test on November 18 ( just before the end of my RT) as setting my new baseline, my PCa Oncologist mentioned , "don't be worried if it is 15 or 20, that would just set the baseline for the next round of testing... and then measure in 4 months time if the numbers go up or down..."

I didn't mention that in my first posting on this topic because I didn't want to jinx it or create a firestorm.

Very pleased and relieve that my new starting point in this PCa journey is as low as it it.

0.038 ( I even repeated it back to him to confirm)

Happy Christmas to one and all - to those in the Zero Club - the "go for the low club" and all those fighting/battling/ living with/ dealing with this stupid confusing twilight zone of a disease.... here's to a better and happier and healthier 2014...
best wishes

(I am rambling due to joy)

hugs,
Bronson ( and Steve)

...
Posted 12/19/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go, Bronson.

What you really needed was a number under .05 to feel safe, and your .038 gets you there by a good margin.

What a great Christmas present, Congratulations.

David
Posted 12/19/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on the very well deserved "Holiday" present. I am very happy for you and Steve.

Sonny
Posted 12/19/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
This is good to hear. I don't comment as often these days, but just had drop you a line today.
Enjoy the Holidays! Early Christmas present indeed!
Posted 12/19/2013 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Good news to be sure. Your merry Christmas is pretty much a given at this point. I'd go for the whole happy new year thing. It seems doable.
Posted 12/19/2013 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Very happy for you!
Posted 12/19/2013 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Glad to here the good news, congratulations.

carl

Posted 12/19/2013 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson, happy news indeed! We're thrilled for you and Steve.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and may the new year bring only the best to both of you. Hope to see you both at GFMPH Rochester 2014!

Sephie (a/k/a Tasty Cake) and John
Posted 12/19/2013 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent results. Congratulations!
Posted 12/19/2013 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Party time! Congratulations Bronson.

Enjoy your Christmas present.

Andrew
Posted 12/19/2013 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for all your kind words and support - and to top it off today - I had a potential client drop by and he bought a painting from my Artist Studio - and then he informed me he also bought one of my paintings in a local Art Gallery who represents me - two in one day - and good numbers to boot - yippee x three !

holiday hugs to one and all,
Bronson

............
( I found the mistletoe)
Posted 12/19/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yippppppeeeeeeee Bronson!

Great number, very happy for you. You support all of us all the time, time for us to share in your celebration. yeah yeah yeah

Christmas came early and it looks like your are going to have a Happy New Year.

Best regards,

Bill from Florida cool
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