Two Year after Surgery PSA Results

I had the DaVinci 10/12/06 Gleason 7 Stage T1 was told everything confined to prostate and looking good. First PSA after surgery was 0.01, then each three months for the first year 0.02, Then 1 1/2 years PSA 0.03 and now two years after surgery 0.04. The doctor said he doesn't care what it says as long as it is below 0.10. I don't like the fact it has gone up any at all and of course I wanted them to all be 0.00 or stay at 0.01. I know this shouldn't bug me but it does. I have been very blessed so far with this crummy disease. Loving wife supporting family and no other health issues or problems.  I was 57 at the time of surgery and am now 59 going on 19. Everyday is gift and so many on this forum have been and are inspirations and I am constantly reminded of it when I log in from time to time.  

First, congratulations on achieving two years cancer free!  I understand how you feel about the numbers going up.  Knowing this would make me  anxious and fearful.

Urology experts say that <0.1 is 'noise'. I opted to have the standard PSA which measures to the nearest tenth only. 

My PSAs have all been undetectable at <0.1.  If the tests were run with the newer, ultrasensitive testing, would my results be 0.05? 0.008, 0.01? <0.001? Would they be rising, bouncing around, or falling?

Honestly, I don't want to know.  I can sleep better each night and worry less each day not knowing.  <0.1 is all I want to know when I get tested every 6 months.

I agree that prostate cancer reminds us that every day is a gift!

I am not clear on what your reading means from this standpoint - my first reading was <.04 and was told that was as low as the machine registered. I don't know if that is the case with where you were checked the last time or not. Unless you were checked purposely by a machine that purposely goes into lesser fractions it appears you do not have anything to worry about. I assume that is what the doc ment when he told you it was less then .1. Unless you are purposely going after the fractions with a measurement process that is capable you may be reading too much into your last report. Blessings.

RB

Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA <.04

Tony, You are one of the people I was referring to as an inspiration. You are doing wonderful and a great thing by encouraging others, by sharing your knowledge, your story, and your experience. May God Bless You in special way. Thank you for being here, Raye