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PSA Anxiety--how long

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Posted 6/22/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I thought this might be an interesting topic. Let's face it, for most of us, PC is still that elephant in the room. Most of the time, it is closer to the back burner. But sometimes it is intrusive. One of those times concerns an upcoming PSA test.

I'm wondering at what point you guys start to really feel it. That is, is there a specific time when the concern is...well...PALPABLE?

For me, it was when I returned from a KC working trip last Thursday. I was due for one and I was VERY anxious. So, that's basically 6 days (I got the result today -- see my signature or other thread). BUT, had I not been extremely busy, I suspect the anxiety would have set in earlier. Last time, it was 2 weeks.

Now, if one is stable for a few years, maybe the anxiety time is lessened. Maybe.

Your thoughts

Mel

Posted 6/22/2010 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Mel...I really think it is all individual...just as the cancer is. Many men have the psa anxiety for years...others just a few months after surgery. I suppose it gets better with time, as it wears on...but from my observation of you...I suspect you will be dealing with psa anxiety for some time to come. No offense, it is quite common with men dealing with personal health issues and cancer in particular. I am just being honest with you. Having that said, you could probably should look into the various resources and methods that deal with stress and anxiety and apply those to yourself. For many men facing the same road you are on will deal with the stress and anxiety in their own specific ways and will chime in shortly.

I was in the same boat as you about a year ago. Today, even knowing that I have a recurrence, I have learned that I am also in control, and not the cancer. I can chose to deal with this in my way, and in my own time and knowing that I have complete control, it has taken the anxiety and fear away. I am at peace with my disease and I know I will have many many years ahead of me. I chose not to worry and enjoy the life I do have...I am in control. But that is me.

Good luck on your journey ahead.
Posted 6/22/2010 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I've said before - treat it like a leave or pass in the military. Go out and live until they close the gate, and be walking in as they do it.

It makes no sense to worry about the results until you have them.

I've just gotten my third back yesterday (still undetectable, good stuff), but I promise I did not spend the weekend over-stressing about it.
Posted 6/22/2010 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, you got another "strong" zero. That is something to reflect upon, and to celebrate.
Posted 6/22/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I get more nervous about meeting a blind date then I do a PSA test. Ya never know if their dog will bite ya or not.

 "It is what it is."

Posted 6/22/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)

Interesting. When your numbers were creeping up, weren't you anxious?

It sounds like you are handling that stress very well.

Mel

Posted 6/22/2010 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
If you meant me, I feel PSA stress each and every test period. I just don't focus on it, because I am a "numbers" person by trade, and a "facts" person by nature. I was only in the zero club for my first post reading, then I immediately hit .1, then easily went to 3 rises above .1. With my pre-treatment PSA velocity so strong, and a single positive margin, my uro/surgeon and I were expecting recurrance out of the bag. It was one educated guess that I wish we hadn't won.

David in SC
Posted 6/22/2010 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
I think I was the most anxious before my first PSA test. However, one week before every PSA test I get the nerves. With my high Gleason, I'm always wondering when and if my PSA start rising. I guess, I'll always be nervous about it as long as I live but may be less as time goes by. A friend of mine who has been in the zero club for 4 years, said that he no longer gets nervous.
Posted 6/22/2010 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
The clock started ticking on our end the day we were born. Be it PC or something else, there is a hidden problem ( likely many of them) festering inside of us that can at anytime surface

Worry and anxiety is something that one can change to joy and satisfaction
Posted 6/22/2010 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
The anxiety you are talking about really does reflect the different, shall I say personalaties. Some people are worriers, some not so much, I get the std test cause my surgeon said thats all I need plus I get it at 6mos intervals. I agrre with him on that because I worry. I do think we all have the power to change our personality to that which we want. In one of my long ago posts, I talked about believing and expecting the result I want and I believe it works for me. I would rather believe a positive, than a negative, until the " facts " get in the way and when and if they do, I will still believe in the positive as it relates to the new " facts " I don't know , is perception reality??? Having said that as the psa date approaches, I believe a little stronger, iguess thats anxiety, but I.m sure even with you this dis-ease has given you positive insights you are glad you have experienced. Life is great. Remember in " Blade runner " when the replicant was dying as He chased Harrison ford, He stuck the nail in his hand so the pain would give him additional life. We didn't make up this crazy life, but, it is what it is
Posted 6/22/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've been getting psa tests for nearly 12 years. There is always some anxiety. I got my 3rd post treatment psa yesterday and feel a little anxious; I guess it never goes away and never will.
JT
Posted 6/22/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
By nature, I am a worrier. I start worrying when the blood is drawn. I am able to have the results in about 20 minutes so I am happy for the short turn around. I am on a 6 month testing interval and believe even if the doc tells me to come back in one year, I would go back in 6 months. I wish mentally I could go a year but know I cannot.
Posted 6/23/2010 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Mel,

As most have said, most likely it wll never go away.

But you most likely hit the nail on the head yourself.  If you sit around and dwell on it, it will be much worse.  I think keeping busy is an important part of dealing with many of the issues of old age. I think you have said how much you enjoy your job, and how it takes your mind off of your worries.  Work, hobbies, vacations, etc. are one the keys from my view point of handling these things.

I think it also helps to somehow deal with our mortality, so that when it becomes closer,  we aren't so shocked by the possibility.  We are most likely all going to die one of these days, be it 5, 10, or 20 years from now.  So be it.

I guess for me, while I am still a little anxious every three months, I guess I feel as tho I am less anxious than if I thought I was going to live forever and if I'm just killing time playing cross word puzzles waiting for my next PSA.  Heck, I have to make a hole in my schedule to get the blood drawn.

I think your results are looking good, certainly much better than other guys we see on here.

Goodlife

Posted 6/23/2010 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
  Mel, I don't worry about it until I'm on the phone with the uro's office and the nurse comes back on the line and says, "Bob, it's ...."

I either then reply, "Thanks so much," or mumble "Ah, S--T!"

You can't worry about things you cannot change.  Just hope for the best, as I do for you.

I'm 20 miles south of KC.  Would have been nice to meet you.  I go for my 6month post RT Psa tomorrow, so will find out on Thursday where I am.

Bob

Posted 6/23/2010 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,
I've had it pretty easy compared to many members of this forum but each time the dreaded PSA test approaches I keep wondering if this is the time for the other shoe to drop. All we can do is hang in there and hope for the best.

Regards,
Bob
Posted 6/23/2010 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
My mother, who is a 50 year plus breast cancer survivor, once told me the first five years she thought about it several times every day. Sometime in the second five years she started to think about it only once a day, sometimes. Somewhere after ten years she realized she'd gone a whole day without thinking about it, and somewhere around 25 years she went a whole week.

Me? I fret a week ahead of getting the blood drawn and then really get up tight for the several days I have to wait for a result. The next one, in a couple of weeks (yup, starting to think of it a lot) will be my one year mark. A big milestone if I make it. But, I don't imagine I'll fuss any less about the next one.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
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