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Posted 12/14/2017 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello many old friends, and many new faces here too.

After seven years of undetectable, my 7.5 year result is 0.46

Yikes!

The urologist says he's seen this before, where it's a glitch in the system, reporting, testing, whatever, and I'm scheduled for a second PSA tomorrow to check.

I suppose both having a recurrence after seven years, and a bad test are both unlikely, but ....

I would like to think it was a bad test, but need to start wrapping my mind around 'next.'

I shall report when I know more. In the meantime a blessing, as always, knowing you guys are here.

Onwards and Upwards


Sheldon (AKA Sleepless)
Posted 12/14/2017 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Have you made sure the 0.46 is from the same lab as before, and that the lab has not silently changed its testing system and sensitivity level? From some of your old posts, it looks like you were getting <0.02 readings years ago. Was your prior result (six months ago?) also <0.02?

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Sheldon.
Posted 12/14/2017 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I am somewhat new here, about 5 weeks, but after my biopsy, I had an infection somewhere inside which raised my psa, I hope it's something like this. On an other note, Saipan, was a pillar of information for me a few weeks back, if it's not an infection, hopefully he is right.
Posted 12/14/2017 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Assuming your last undetectable wa a year ago or less, I'm betting it's a lab error. I went, in 3 months, from <.02 to .38, and retested a few days later, it was <.02. Quest told me they retested the blood and "could not reproduce the .38" all their retests came back undetectable. They couldn't explain it, other than human error, I guess.

So try to wait for the retest before you jump to "next". Good luck, please report back, very curious, I hope I am right about lab error.

Just to reinforce, a jump like that might be more explainable say, 6 months after surgery. But after 7 years? I think highly improbable.
Posted 12/15/2017 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
The amount of change from last time to 0.46 is completely out-of-line with Saipan's "different lab" conjecture (hundredths place changes, maybe a tenth; but not 4 tenths)...you can discount that theory.

In fact, after 7 years undetectable the extent of the sudden "delta" (change) is also completely atypical of recurrence patterns...PC just doesn't do that.

Update us on your follow-up test results.
Posted 12/15/2017 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Retest is in order.
Posted 12/15/2017 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Saipan --- the lab was the same one. But, thanks for the thought.

Glc100 -- Interesting. First time in 75 years I've wanted to have an infection, lol

Pratoman --- I hope you're right, and when I started to count on my fingers, rather than in my head, I realized my surgery on June 29, 2009 was now more than 8 years out, not 7. My last PSA was about a year before this one.

NKinney -- Your post that the change would be atypical ... PC just doesn't do that ... is the most hopeful thing I've heard. I figure, after 8 years, there is ??? what ???? a 2% chance of recurrence? But, the chance of a wrong lab report one in 5,000, or somesuch. I've no idea what the true chances of each would be, but as a jump to 0.46 is too big to be believable on the recurrance scale, who knows, it may be the lab after all. Who knew I'd ever want a lab to be wrong about a cancer test!

FrackMe -- I was in at the opening bell the following morning to fill a vial with my precious red fluid.

All --- I will update as soon as I learn what the retest is. In the meantime, thanks to all.

Sheldon (AKA Sleepless)
Posted 12/21/2017 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
The retest results are in --- PSA less than 0.01.

To say I'm relieved would be a huge understatement. I'm actually giddy with delight and have near instantly gone from depressed to manic --- which is alright, except I went Christmas shopping after talking to my doctor and whatever budget I may have had was blown, big time.

When I was first diagnosed, near nine years ago now, I was frightened and frantic. This place, all you wonderful people, got me through. This time, knowing you were here, made thinking about more treatment so much easier this time than last..

I wish all a Merry Christmas, or whatever is the appropriate wish for you, and for 2018 and beyond may all have PSAs of less than 0.01

Sheldon (AKA Sleepless)
Posted 12/21/2017 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Sheldon, Congratulations that's great news. Don't worry about the budget this year 😂 , you earned it. Oh, and also.....I told ya so.
Posted 12/21/2017 2:50 AM (GMT 0)

Sleepless09 said...
The retest results are in --- PSA less than 0.01. ... I went Christmas shopping after talking to my doctor and whatever budget I may have had was blown, big time.


Now that's worth blowing the budget! Great news -- thanks for sharing -- drinks all around.
Posted 12/21/2017 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
goodness

(and good! smile )
Posted 12/22/2017 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Pratoman -- next time, I'll just check with you, lol

Saipan -- having a rum and coke as I type!

island time -- I agree!

Still giddy with delight, but getting a handle on Christmas spending.

Sheldon (AKA Sleepless)
Posted 12/22/2017 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Up late, cause I'm 'sleepless'....what a great story to read!!

Some tech at the lab could give a person a heart attack, but not this time. Merry Christmas, for sure!!
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