Back again - part four

Hello:
I got my 3 month PSA -April 1,2018 - not a happy camper...
Here is how the numbers are going.
...............................................................
July 2016 - <0.010 < 4.0 ug/L
Total PSA is assayed using Roche Cobas.
December 2016 - 0.009 <4.0 ug/L
Methodology: Abbott Architect immunoassay.
July 2017 - 0.085 <4.0 ug/L
Methodology: Abbott Architect immunoassay.
January 2018 - 0.97 <4.0 ug/L
Methodology: Abbott Architect immunoassay.
April 2018 - 3.3 <4.0 ug/L
Methodology: Abbott Architect immunoassay.
Test repeated and results confirmed.
...
I was going to wait another day to view the results - but got a personal phone call from my GP doctor in Toronto - he is a pro-active doctor - has been my doctor for 30 years. Just waiting for him to call back and get his reaction to the numbers...

Thanks for being here.

Bronson / Tatt2man

Not the number you wanted.

Keep us updated on what the doc says.

Andrew

With your rapid PSADT, I hope you will consider intermittent hormone therapy. It can provide long vacations sometimes when used early.

Sorry to hear this, Bronson. Sounds like you have good care though, and choices to deal with it.

Got a call from the Oncologist - he prescribed Bicalutamide 50mg and will be getting an injection of Triptorelin every 3 months.
Cost wasn't as bad as I feared - only $64.00 bucks for both.
Getting a lot of support here - THANK YOU - as well as on facebook and at work.
Hugs to one and all,
Tatt2man / Bronson

Bronson - try to come down to the GFMPH gathering if you can. Sounds like you could use some cheering up.

Sending you the best wishes from the deep south of Texas. I know you will find some inspiration to create from this.

Bronson,

We all wish you the best. My experience with the ADT wasn't really that bad and I was on it for more than three years. I was not compromised at work buy any means. The hot flashes became less significant and my worst side effect was weight gain.

And remember, the side effects are from no T, not the drugs. My understanding is that an orchiectomy will give you the same side effects, only permanently. And, even with an orchiectomy, the cancer can become T independent, so it isn't a cure, nor really any better than the ADT drugs for cancer control.

I like TA's idea about intermittent ADT. For instance, 6 months on, long enough to see a downward PSA trend, then a vacation until the PSA moves back up to a predetermined number, then back on ADT, and so on. Many men have used this method very effectively for a long time with minimal negative side effects. You may find you can go 6 months on ADT, then maybe a year of vacation, then back on ADT. So long as you keep the PSA at a manageable level and minimize the side effects.

Best wishes,

Jack

Thanks for the wealth of information - sometimes with this journey it is hard to "see the forest for the trees", lets where you are in the forest or out on a busy highway.... (but I digress)
My testosterone is low now - and since nothing works down there and "they" are the enemy feeding my cancer, in my head I have/had been considering the more drastic route.
............
Testosterone 16.0 average range -8.4 - 28.8 nmol/L
Testosterone Free ->LOW 170.0 - average range - 179-475 pmol/L
...............

Thanks one and all for your support and kind words - we appreciate it.
Just got my Triptorelin prescription - one injection every 3 months - a year's worth - only $30.00 - that is with OHIP (Ontario Government coverage) and Company insurance - original price was $1,200.00 - eek! It will be administered at the PRHC (local hospital) Radiation Unit bunker by doctor or nurse at no extra charge.
Concerned about the side effects but will deal with it.
Am probably going to create a series of paintings about this part of my journey - who knows what will the results will be.
With my radiation treatments in 2013, I created and showed an exhibition about it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2LVytfmTQM

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKOECwo9eo4

thank you Jeff for your support. .. will update you after meeting with oncologist on monday... bracing for another winter storm - freezing rain and ice for 2 days ... bbbbrrrr... staying inside and working on artwork.
take care,
hugs,
Bronson / Tatt2man

Bronson, hope the storm doesn’t keep you from the appointment. Waiting for it here in upstate NY (I can almost see Canada from my porch).
And all the best as you decide what to do.