HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Latest PSA . . . . 25.9 <sigh>

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/31/2016 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
. . . . So that kinda sucks 'cause I do believe I've taken all the prudent steps. (Signature block below.)

Actually that number is over a month old, and by using my handy/dandy spreadsheet I figure my number today to be around 35. (Ya, I'm a geeky engineer.)

Haven't posted in a while, and never did much earlier really. I find if I don't think about PC, I don't get obsessed and spend every waking moment worrying. Guess I haven't found that balance point yet.

CT and Bone scans from last month were clear, so just dealing with the rising PSA indicator. Which, as you know, can be depressing as hell. (Well, maybe not - depending on your religious affiliation.)

Current plan is to re-scan in August and monitor PSA levels. My PSA will probably be over 50 at that time by my cyphering. Decision point to start ADT and chemo, or continue to monitor. I'm holding off doing treatment now, cause I've got some living to do this summer. :) Also, when I was on ADT for SRT in '14 I lost my job due to the cognitive effects. Couldn't remember anything and problem solving skills dropped to nil. Can't have that in my line of work. Anyone ever get medical disability from HT cognitive problems? Back to "normal" now.

Had the QOL discussion, and really freaked out my wife. We lost her Ma to lung cancer the same day I lost my Dad to cancer in '12. So I don't think she's really acknowledging the potential of this condition. But heck, I could still get hit by a bus later today, Lol!

Anyway, just needed to vent and see if anyone had comments on my plan. Appreciate any input you may have for me. You all seem like great folks!
Posted 5/31/2016 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WyoHawk. Dude, you have a lot on your plate. Sorry about that.

In my phase of treatment, I don't have anything that I can relay to you, but you definately have my support Brother.
Posted 5/31/2016 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
That sucks, no denying. Is there a chance of filing a disability claim while you have chemo brain and ADT fog? The chemo is usually 18 weeks, and the ADT can be cycled intermittently, so you can get breaks. Very sorry to hear this.

- Allen
Posted 5/31/2016 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Brother ,this crap is not easy.1 day at a time.Wishing you the best.
Posted 5/31/2016 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Wyo, tough situation, sorry for you.
We are all built differently, but if i were you, i would be all over this thing like a wet suit. One way or the other your QOL is gonna suffer, either through the advanced stages of PC or through HT and maybe Chemo.
Seems like the latter gives you the best chance of getting your QOL back at some point.
But like i said, we are all built, and think, differently

Good luck Bro, keep us posted
Posted 5/31/2016 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
WyoHawk, shoot me an email, my address is active. I would email you but there is no email listed for you. I may have some info for you that you would appreciate. We have traveled a very similar path to date.

Sonny
Posted 5/31/2016 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Wyohawk, Like you, I always wanted ( and still want) a treatment "vacation". Totally understand the memory problems, and I had them with just ADT. ADT + Casodex seemed to be the worst for me. Hope that when you get to the "wonder drug" stage, (zytiga-xtandi-provenge) that one or all takes control of your cancer and gives you many quality years.
Posted 5/31/2016 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Wyohawk, bummer about the numbers... hang in there. Like you said, you want to live a little this summer - have fun then go back to fighting this beast. Good luck. Take care. -JR
Posted 5/31/2016 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Who hawk
All I can say is I had scans after PSA rise post SRT as you can see below and had pelvic lymph nodes done . Your situation sounds similar.
Bob
Posted 6/1/2016 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wyohawk,
I am sorry that you find yourself in this situation. I too experienced a rapidly rising PSA and ended up with seven sessions of chemotherapy followed by Zytiga. While Chemo is no walk in the park, it is doable. I usually had about three days of down time followed by increasing energy until my next treatment. some believe that you should wait until visible mets appear but from my perspective, it just makes it harder for the chemo to do its job.

As for the disability issue, yes, it is possible to get disability but if you are currently working it will be more difficult to gain an award.
Posted 6/1/2016 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to you all for the input and advice. I was hitting a low spot and needed to put my thoughts and plans in some form so I could think straight. It's easy for me to get stuck in a 'do nothing' spot otherwise.

Always good to get help from folks who are traveling the same path. After I wrote that, I went out and had another PSA and Testosterone test ran. T came back at 299.5, so not to bad. Still waiting on the PSA. Doc likes to run the fancy % free, etc. which takes a bit longer. Not that it gives any more useful info, it just takes longer. (Probably costs more too.)

I'll kick-up the timing on my plan a bit and I've started the discussions on chemo/ADT implications at work. Looks like that will go a bit better this time around. Finally clearing the hurdle to taking action again.

I'll post the PSA once it arrives. We'll see just how good my prediction skills are. :)

God Bless You All!
Posted 6/10/2016 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello WyoHawk,

Just wanted to reach out with a message --- we're in the same age range --- facing some similar things.

I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in my 40s --- been continuously seeking treatments ever since, with some meaningful successes along the way.

I know you are facing some treatment decisions ---

Just thought it would be helpful for you to hear from a fellow comrade --- I have followed my full-time teaching career --- and have taught continuously ever since diagnosis with on-going ADT hormone shots, plus a series of chemotherapy treatments --- and have taught through all of it, every step of the way.

I exercise each day --- I keep up with social events --- family & friends --- and my energy has stayed intact, for which I'm thankful. I think a bit of exercise each day helps in that regard --- exercise helps maintain mental sharpness and increases physical energy, in my belief.

I've got great doctors who have watched over my case --- they know my teaching career is important to me --- so they have watched my lab levels carefully over time, especially during the time I was pursuing chemo treatments, as they know that I teach in a building with hundreds of school students --- my doctors are wary of flu germs, fevers, strep throat, and all of those factors that abound in public school buildings with hundreds of youngsters.

Just wanted you to know that there are MANY of us right here on this forum who have pursued a wide variety of treatments --- and kept right on, forging ahead, with our full-time careers. It can be done !

Want to wish you all the best, as you consider your future treatment pathway !

Handshake across the miles,
CYCLONE FAN ~ Iowa State University
Posted 6/10/2016 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply