A plan is developing.

Just a quick update.... met with Pca specialist/Oncologist recently.
After rise in psa 0.06 and 0.09 he is convinced cancer is confirmed. He will be sending me somewhere (Germany, LA or Montreal) for a psma pet scan at the point psa is above 0.5 and below 1.0. With Covid travel restrictions this might be an issue as I'd have to travel for any location ( not currently offered in my area but might be in a year or so fingers crossed).
Still going for a cure, although it is a long shot. He's actually hoping psa slows down a bit. (I always like a realist that sprinkles a bit of hope)
Opted to not do monthly psa test. Anxiety gets to be too much. I'll stay on 3 month for now.
ADT discussed but not in detail until we get there.

Not likely with my history (He isn't thinking it is benign cells. about 7 years since srt. He figured it would have showed up before now if benign) , but you never know, hoping to put off anything at this point.

Hello, TooYoung4This ~~~

Both of us diagnosed in our 40s, I am mindful of you.

You are being proactive in your approach. You're tracking your PSA.

One thing I have learned --- all my doctors, including those at Mayo Clinic, have taught me to expect fluctuations in PSA values less than 0.10.

I have had my PSA increase by 3 or 4 hundredths of a decimal point, only to have it decrease the very next month.

What I have learned is that small fluctuations are to be expected. More important are documented TRENDS.

It's taken me a long time to learn to "ride the wave" through fluctuations, but discussing identified TRENDS with my doctor.

One thing I do --- just my personal preference --- I now wait for my oncologist to share my lab levels with me in person. I prefer to discuss lab results with him, in person, allowing him to share context.

There's been times he has explained that an uptick was an expected fluctuation, rather than a trend. This was especially true during --- and then after ---- radiation.

You have an ongoing, clear-cut action plan in place already. That's valuable. I often discuss my current and future health goals with my local oncologist, and also when I visit Mayo Clinic.

Common questions are these:

"Are we on the right track, currently?"

"Is there anything else we should be doing, right now?"

"Which available vaccines should we look at --- such as pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough, and shingles vaccines --- to prevent other health complications?"

"Am I up-to-date on all my follow-up scans?"

"If we see a concerning rise in PSA, what is our 'next step' action plan?"

I am glad to see your latest post. You are right on top of things. You are noting some fluctuations, watching for trends, and definitely have a forward-thinking plan of action forming, in consultation with your medical team.

Stay in touch with us here, TooYoung4This. Always glad to when I see your posts.

We're all in this together ---- all for one, and one for all ---
CYCLONE ~~~ # Iowa State University

Yes, those numbers suggestion a year's doubling time, which is good. Calculating from such low numbers can be shaky, but if that rate holds up, it could be years before you really need to do anything.

Another update.

February's PSA 0.13

Not 6 months... almost 4.
Oct 21... 0.11
Feb 13... 0.13

All the same, I'll take it.

Summer days, drifting away ...

Just circling back, TOOYOUNG4THIS, seeing how things are going for you --- and hoping this finds you sailing smooth seas, with favorable winds ...

Hope things are staying even-keeled and stable ...

Just a line, to check in with you, on a summer's day!

With all my best,
CYCLONE ~~~ # Iowa State University