Big Mac got Big News - undetectable all along

After my DaVinci surgery 3 years ago TODAY, I was knocking down undetectable PSA tests every 3 months. Then in January 2014, it went to 0.1. My doctors weren't concerned, told me that 0.2 was the sign of possible recurrence.

I had 2 positive margins and was always on guard of a rise in my PSA. I get my PSA test at my PCP's office who sends then to Quest Labs in Miami.

6 months ago I talked to my PCP about my 0.1. To reassure me, he called and talked to someone at Quest about the testing. He said they told him that SOME of their machines do not go below 0.1 so that is what they show.

Being the sceptic that I am, I discussed it yesterday at my yearly visit at Dr. Patel's office, my surgeon. The doctor I visited with said that I was doing great and yes, some labs do not test below 0.1.

I asked if it was possible to have a test there. He said yes and sent me next door to Florida Hospital at Celebration to have an ultra sensitive test done.

I got the call today that it came back at 0.060, of course <0.1!

How happy I am! I have been sober 26 years but I ran into the grocery store and bought a six pack of non-alcoholic beer to celebrate.

My makeup is such that I could not have ultra sensitive test every time.

I was told to now go in for test every 6 months instead of every 3 months. I decided that I will get the ultra sensitive test every year as I make my yearly trip to my surgeon's office for follow up. I know I don't need to go back to my surgeon, Dr. Patel's office any more but it always just feels like home there. That is where the journey started and I feel good walking through those doors. Besides, it is 10 minutes from Disney World and gives my wife and I a reason to visit Mickey.

By the way, a side note. I was told Dr. Patel reached 8,500 surgeries this past February. I asked what number I was but they couldn't tell me. I know it was in the 5000 range. They said that Dr. Patel doesn't keep track, his team does. He said for them to just tell him the milestone ones.

Life is good

Bill from Florida

I always suspected that and further more I suspect that the statement " the machine does not go below .1" is bogus and is a face saving device. It happens all I mean all the time from a lot of labs. I wonder about Lapilots string of .1's also. Another data point of folks pretending to do their job , with the ones in charge of them pretending also. "go along to get along…Hopalong Cassidy... congrats for reaming the results that were always there. Anyone else out there blissfully nodding their heads in agreement to dis and dat or will you stand up for yourself …and take charge of who you are..

Congratulations! That's really great news Bill. Life is indeed good.

Great news Big MAc. Guess those PCa walks in Clearwater are working.

Bill,
That is great news. I'm an Ultrasensitive test guy. For a couple of years I was even a participant in a study that compared 2 different machines!
The latest and greatest machines have a resolution of 0.003. The next click up is 0.006, then 0.009 then 0.012... you get the idea.
The offset of the machine changes with temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. They can be corrected but most labs do not bother. They just say their limit is <0.01 and do not report anything less. Since I live in Rochester and the temperature of the lab moves so much they decided to report the lowest number as <0.02. A <0.02 (less than 0.02) is very different from a 0.02. The former means "as low as they can go". The latter means "they saw something".
For screening testing a single digit machine is fine. But for diagnostic work (post treatment) 2 or 3 digits is better.
Every day more labs are moving from the old, crude, single-digit machines from the stone age (pre 2005). I predict in another 3 or 4 years the only labs that will report PSA in single digits will be the ones owned by docs planning on retiring in a year or two. You won't find a Uro under 40 using single digit equipment.
Technology marches on.

Jeff

Great news! So happy to hear this. Every time I see news like this it gives me hope! Wishing you many more years of great PSA scores.~Miki

Happy 3 year anniversary! You got the best present ever! Wishing you many more years of "zeros".

Suz

Good luck Whosnext, looks like you're next! Got my fingers crossed for you. You and I are in the same club, "10-12 core positive club".

Hey Tony, hope to see ya at Sonny's again next year. Got too much going on to make Jeff's deal in Rochester. Maybe one day, retirement coming up at the end on 2016.

Ladies, thanks, my best to you. ARangel, looks like good numbers from your DH.

Suz, I have been keeping up with your threads also, good luck.

My fellow Texans , thanks to you also. I just bought some new Nocona boots at Shepler's. Yes, they have one in Florida!

Logo,
You been surfing lately? Pretty flat here in a So. Florida. Praying for a hurricane to kick up some swells this year. Jeff said it all. A lot of old equipment still out there at the "labs for hire" like Quest. I had my test done yesterday at the hospital where I had my surgery.

Bill from Florida

My (limited) experience, being 5 months post surgery, is that I'm not sure where to go for ultrasensitive testing. The local small town hospital does PSA to 0.1, and the local Uro does in their office to 0.04. To go lower, I'd have to locate both a lab to specifically send it to AND someone to take the sample and properly package it for shipment.

For me, I'm OK with the <0.04.

Hey Bill, Its been a great summer for the south shore. Unfortunately I missed the best three weeks of the summer while visiting the east coast. No worries it is now 4:14 am and forecast for waist to chest high. Hi tide to low, lite winds early. I will be there early. I found a great gym at both places near where I stayed, so managed to get my workout in. No sup surfing definitely weakened my waist somewhat,but the sciatica is pretty much gone. Again congrats on your continuing <.1…may it always be so. Very thankful for my blessings.

As usual I serendipitously I learned something today
"No sup surfing definitely weakened my waist somewhat,..." I thought "sup surfing" has something to do with eating, not unlike "grazing" at a buffet.
Now I see it is Stand Up Paddle boarding. Who knew.
J

SDIS - Sit Down Internet Surfing.

BigMac -

A good PSA test result is always sort of like Christmas in July (or whatever month).

Congratulations and go celebrate!

Thanks again everyone. Here I am sitting at 0.1 for 18 months not knowing I was really undetectable all along. I thought I was drummed out of the "Zero Club" but I was still a card carrying member all along.

Who knew? Drinks on me!!!

Jeff,
I know logo's post are sometimes hard to understand but I do know what he is talking about when it comes to surfing waves, not the internet. Now you sometimes loose me when you talk weighing pads and predicting leakage vs. stoppage, etc. etc.

Bill from Florida