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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 3/30/2014 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to share the good news with you guys - my HW family. John's annual PSA came back undetectable last Friday...and it's been 6 years since his surgery.

When I think back to how we both felt right after diagnosis and for months after we got his pathology report (Gleason 3+4 with EPE), I couldn't project 6 months into the future, let alone 6 years. But, here we are 6 years later and, in spite of the years that have gone by, I can remember - like it was yesterday - how I felt when my husband told me he had prostate cancer.

In June, John has his annual physical with his regular doctor and Dr. Tom always sneaks in a PSA test (his lab uses a more sensitive assay whereas the uro's lab only gives us the <0.1. Last June, the more sensitive PSA test came back at 0.02...and we are grateful for that extra zero.

There's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have survived those first couple of years, especially when John's PSA decided to become detectable 17 months after surgery. I'll never forget the kindness shown by so many of you, and the support that you gave to us. As some of you know, John's story is a bit of a miracle in that his PSA went from <0.1 to .1 to .3. We were all ready to push the button on SRT when the third consecutive PSA result came in...and it was back down to undetectable and has stayed there ever since. When I consider what so many of you have gone through or are going through, I realize just how blessed John and I have been.

Just wanted to stop by and share the good news with those who know us, and to let you guys and gals know just how important you are in our lives. Thanks for the friendship, support, and love all these years.
Posted 3/30/2014 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats!  great

Always feel good to hear undetectable result from members

All the best to you & your hubby....

Posted 3/30/2014 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
great news Sephie. I hope to report the same in 2.5 years!

ed
Posted 3/30/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful news, Sephie, so very happy for John and you. That's a huge time of pulling such great numbers.

David
Posted 3/30/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Incredibly GREAT news, Sephie! Congratulations. You have no idea how much your great news comforts me! Thank you for indirectly helping me.
Posted 3/30/2014 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Inchoation, glad that my husband's story gives you comfort and hope...keep on keepin' on.

Thank you David. Your support has always meant so much to us.

Ed, hope to be here in 2.5 years to read your 6 year update. In the meantime, I enjoy reading your posts and hope that you'll be with us for a while.

Thanks yk...will share your best wishes with my John.
Posted 3/30/2014 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing. Thanks for the positive news. Good news helps everyone!

Tom
Posted 3/31/2014 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
That's great news!!!

Andrew
Posted 3/31/2014 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Wonderful!!
Posted 3/31/2014 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie,

Great news for you and John. It's wonderful to hear of a good report. Even thought I don't know you, we are a part of the HW family and can rejoice together.

Yes, since being DX, hardly an hour goes by that I'm not thinking of my DX what lies ahead and others as well. Yes, this is the hardest time of my life, but, I know with God's help, my family and I will make it through this journey.

Everyday, I pray the our HW family.

Dave in Bartlett, TN
Posted 3/31/2014 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
FABULOUS!!!

Mel

Posted 3/31/2014 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie, your's is really a remarkable story, in that it not only rewards you, but anyone who reads it closely and its significance. A hard gleason 7 with EPE. I remember when that was happening. I was relatively new here, less knowledgeable about the disease, believing what ever bad news I read, and remember thinking, He is going to have a recurrence. That 17th month bombshell must have been worse than the original diagnosis. Im sure you couldn't help wondering when the other shoe would drop, even thru your wishing and hoping. To use a metaphor I have used before. The other shoe dropped all right, but its was a firm sandal in the dust. Really quite remarkable and wonderful on so many levels, congratulations.
Posted 3/31/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie, congratulations to you and John. Thank you for sharing the good news with us. I have followed John's journey since I joined Healing Well shortly after John's surgery. I wish a lifetime of zeroes.
Posted 3/31/2014 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Logo, you nailed it. Hearing that John's PSA had become detectable was like getting kicked in the gut. The initial diagnosis was bad but facing the beast again 17 months later, when I was more knowledgeable (and even more frightened) worse. I remember coming here looking for some answers and support - and I got both in spades. Even though we were all convinced that we were looking at a recurrence, it never turned out to be that and, believe me, we are grateful.

Thanks to everyone else for sending along your best wishes and congratulations. John and I wish you all nothing but the best.
Posted 3/31/2014 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie, I'm really happy for you and John. May your good news continue for a lifetime!

Jim
Posted 3/31/2014 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Great news, Sephie and John.

Hopefully we can all celebrate it approrpriately with the two of you at GFMPH Rochester again this year.

LupronJim
Posted 3/31/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Sephie & John, congrats on the great news ! Hope to see you guys in Rochester this September.
Mike
Posted 3/31/2014 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Mike and Jim: as of this minute, we are planning on attending GFMPH Rochester again this year. Looking forward to catching up with our "family" there.
Posted 4/1/2014 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! I'm happy to hear the good news.
Posted 4/1/2014 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie, I remember your hubby had very similar stats to mine - all the way down to the "recurrence". I was glad to hear that his went back down again, to me that seemed like a miracle. I'm at the 6-year mark as well.

I ended up going the SRT route, and so far so good, although there might be a trend happening.

Your story should give many a lot of hope. Here's to many many more 0's!
Jeff
Posted 4/1/2014 9:44 AM (GMT 0)
Super news! Stay the course guys.

Jim
Posted 4/1/2014 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
YEA!!!!! Great news.

My six year mark is this June... Hope I'm as lucky...
Posted 4/1/2014 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sephie,

I´m very happy for you and your husband.

Your story is something that I will have in mind during next years. I just completed 1 year pos RP and my PSA is now stable at 0.03 after bounced 1 time to 0.05. I learned with your story to stay calm and give time before take other drastic decisions. Hope you and John long and healthy life. :-)

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