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Posted 10/22/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
 

Well after waiting for over a weekand cally my doctor 3 times today I get a call back from his PA who tell me that my PSA had gone from 1.0 in JUly to 3.0 in October.  Needless to say I felt like I was punch in the stomach.  Now what?  I certainly do not want to do back to this guy.  I am schedule for surgery in Orlando on MOnday morning to have the two clips that have made there way into my urthea removed.  I am hoping that maybe these clips have something to do with the raise in PSA.  I know I am in denial as my wife is telling me and I need to face this thing and fight.  I have contacted my surgeon and asked for his option on what are my next steps.  My wife talked to him last Thursday about the last jump in PSA and that we were waiting for my one year test and that she was very concerned.  He felt that since my Path report even from JOhn Hopkins was so good that we had nothing to worry about guess he was wrong about that but he did say if the doubling time is fast it is usually local if a year or so out it is a distant cancer.  I guess I will be going the salvage radation route but at this point just lost and shocked.  MY wife had a feeling at the last bump that something was wrong but I guess I did not want to believe it.  Sorry for vending but I know you guys are some of the few that actually understand what these tests mean and how we are tortured by doctors you take there time with the results.  I live in the West Palm Beach area if anyone knows of a good prostate oncologist the area please let me know.  Pardon the speeling a little freak out at the monent. 

Jerry1

Posted 10/22/2009 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
 

Sorry guys my PSA was 0.1 in JUly and now 0.3 I guess I need to calm down.

Jerry1  

Posted 10/22/2009 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry, Sorry to hear your news, but don't panic yet. 0.3 a year out post surgery is likely a local recurrence. Salvage radiation is probably an appropriate alternative, so make an appointment to see a couple of the radiation docs. Also, oncologist is probably a good idea. You have a bit of time to research your options before you act. The research says SRT is best before PSA has reached 0.5. Best of luck. Keep us posted.
Posted 10/23/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry,

Sorry for the news. I agree with Geebra. Salvage Radiation Treatments with or with out Hormone Treatment might very well be the next course in your journey. I am 1/3rd through SRT right now as we speak. After talking to 3 radiation oncologists in my situation, they did agree that you want to be treated before it reaches .5, where it has the best chance of being effective if it is a loca reoccurance. They said that after 1.0, it's rarely effective. Just something to think about.

I wish you the best, my brother, and hope your nerves calm down after a while. Yes, the world outside our PC world doesn't have a clue how upset and unglued post treatment PSA tests can get to you. No shame there, we are all in the same boat. Good luck and please keep posting.

David in SC
Posted 10/23/2009 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
 

Thanks guys no that has not waled in our shoes has any idea what it is like waiting for that dreaded PSA.  I agree about the hormone and salvage radation I just have to find the right doctor my wife does all the research and follows this website daily when we go to the doctors they think she is in the medical field because of the questions she asked and that is because of this website I do not know where we would be without the support of my brothers.  Thank you all for the support it means more then you will ever know.  I am just hoping that it is a local recurrance it is very confusing since my path report was so good but it goes to show we never know what is in store for us as I tell my wife live every day because we never know what is waiting for us.

Thanks again for all your support.

Jerry1

Posted 10/23/2009 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jerry,

The news is hard especially after a clean path report (I speak from my experience) but after reading beaucoup on this site and studies... this is most likely a bump in the road even with salvage treatment. Since I live in California, I calm myself with a nice glass of Chardonnay and watch a good comedy. As a buddy always tells me... this too will pass.

Best regards,
Jake
Posted 10/23/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear the news my friend. I had a .11 last week and I am hoping when I get tested again in Jan that it does not double again. I do agree with everyone else SRT is usually most successful early on. Please keep us posted and know we care.

peace and love
Dale
Posted 10/23/2009 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Jerry,
Sorry to hear about your rising PSA. That is the news that all us fear and don't want to hear. Unfortunately we have to face head on if it comes. Don't panic, just find a good Oncologist and radiologist and finish off whatever cancer is left and you will be fine.
Posted 10/23/2009 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry, looks like the surgery knocked it down, but not out. I've written here before of my friend who had the rising PSA after surgery and then did the radiation. That was 18 years ago and he's cancer free today.

If you need radiation may his story, be your story too.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 10/23/2009 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry, this is a scary time for those who have had surgery. My husband and I just went through the same exact situation - except that his stage after surgery was upgraded to T3a. His PSA fell to 0.0 after surgery and stayed there for 17 months. This August, his PSA came back at 0.1, and in September it was 0.3. Time to see a radiation oncologist. We met a wonderful, caring woman who walked us through the process. My husband (his name is John) went through a bone scan and CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis. In our case, it was fortunate that the bone scan found one "hot" spot in his collarbone which needed to be investigated before radiation treatment began. While we were waiting to have this test, John had his 3rd consecutive PSA test to confirm a recurrence (3 consecutive rises in PSA = recurrence). Guess what: it came back at undetectable! Urologist called us at home on a Saturday to tell us the good news and to say "do not go forward with radiation at this time" (which the radiation oncologist agreed with). The CT scan of the chest showed that the hot spot was nothing - except old age!

The morale of this story: please don't panic! We were ready to push the button on radiation even before the results of the 3rd PSA test and that would have been a very big mistake at this stage in the game. Not saying that John won't need RT down the road but he doesn't need it now.

I do hope things work out well for you. Certainly your post-op pathology looks very good. Should there be a recurrence, it's highly likely that it is local (within the prostate bed) and that radiation will knock the little buggers out of the game!
Posted 10/23/2009 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sephie,

My wife and I had read your story on line and were so happy to hear good news.  Thank you for the information I know when you hear the news you panic and want to do something right away.  This is basically my 2 increase but a major one seems a lot like John's 0.1 in July to 0.3 in October.  My main problem is all along the Pathologist was saying since Path report so good probably would not have a local recurrance so do I do the radiation just to be sure?  I know I need to fine a good Oncolgist that seems to be the first step. 

Thanks everyone for the support we both appreciate it.

MJ and Jerry1

Posted 10/27/2009 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Don't let the fear mongers get the best of you. .1 to .3 - there may be reasons for this that can be better explained and it's with the specialists you shoudl be getting your advice and not well-meaning amateurs here.
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