Brachytherapy 6th month numbers

I went for my sixth month PSA test at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto this week. The arc:

October 2010 (one month after procedure): 7.44

December 2010 (three months after procedure): 4.54

March 2011 (six months after procedure): 3.74

The doctor remarked that it seemed to be coming down slowly but be said he was happy -- going in the right direction. It probably won't hit its nadir for three or four years. "Live your life, stop reading stuff"... and see you in six months for the next test.

I think I'm happy -- and inclined to take that advice!

briantopp:

my advice - " be happy - see the doc in 6 months"

happy hugs,
BRONSON

Brian,

Don't worry about the actual numbers. Be glad they're headed in the right direction.

I am on a 3 month schedule for a year and then go to 6 month intervals. I don't think it matters too much.

I have heard that the slower it comes down the better but I don't know if that's true or not.

Great news Brian. And good advice too! I think many of us on HW can sometimes suffer from information overload. Get out and enjoy the spring weather...or the summer weather if you are as far south as some of us! Regards,

Joe

As a footnote those numbers are slightly different than what I originally posted. Interesting... but I just rechecked and above is what's in my record. Oh well -- basic story is the same.

Brian, great to hear from you...lookin' good! It took me six years to reach nadir so welcome to the slow (but cured) lane.

Jim

Great report Brian! It is important to point out, and realize, it can take a good, long while to reach nadir with brachytherapy. It can be nerve-racking to see slow progress, and the bumps are extra-nerve-racking! I used to see other guys hit low numbers early on and wonder to myself "did it work?" "how come you're not lower by now?" but in the end mine hit the low number too. Best to you.

Your nadir (so far) looks great! Similar to mine, in fact - it took me only 6 years to get this low. I'll race you to the bottom!

Down is good!!!! Welcome Brachy Brother and so glad you are posting your results. The BT guys have thinned out but not for lack of great results. That said I am thankful you come to us with a great report

Please keep us updated and best wishes to you on a continued downward trend.

A year ago I posted my results from my 2010 treatment with brachytherapy at Princess Margaret Hospital, which went like this:

May 2010 psa 5.54
Nov 2010 7.88
Dec 2010 4.35
Mar 2011 4.74
Sep 2011 2.64
Mar 2012 2.41
Dec 2012 3.49
Mar 2013 2.06
Aug 2013 2.20
Nov 2013 1.08
Mar 2014 1.87
May 2014 1.08
Nov 2014 0.93
Jul 2015 0.96
Jan 2016 0.36
Jul 2016 0.40
Mar 2017 0.16

I discussed being discharged from the hospital’s care with them, but since this had taken a bit of an odd road we agreed I’d remain on a yearly check-in schedule for awhile. So, a year has gone by. I reported two weeks ago to the busy and always colourful blood collection unit at Princess Margaret, and later that same day my result popped into my phone via PMH’s useful new app.

The number:

April 2018 0.05

On the basis of this good news, the doctor appointment was cancelled (they didn’t have anything new to say to me, other than good on ya, mate) — see you next year.

This is my second spring that has been kicked off by a wonderfully hopeful PSA test. As a friend of mine on a similar journey said to me, you’re never not thinking of it. But once again i’m instead allowing myself to think that this might finally be over. And that is a wonderfully liberating thing to think. I hope that happens to you too — odds are that it will, in some form, maybe after some twists and turns. Happy spring, heal well.

You are the poster child for the finding that the longer and bumpier the road after RT, the more lasting the cure. Congratulations!