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Its Just a Number - Bah!

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Posted 1/25/2012 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Today was to the VA Hospital in DC day for my monthly Zometa, a PSA test and than the Eligard (think Lupron).

Good News
My PSA was 1447 on 12 July 2011, today it was 77.

Not so good news
The PSA in Nov was 46.6

Spoke with my Oncology Doctor, he wants to re-do the PSA test in 4 weeks and not make any changes to regimen at this time. He said not to worry about this as it could very well be a blip. In 4 weeks, re-test and decide.

Also spoke with the transfusion nurses, I had brought in pictures of Gabriella <oh did I mention here I'm a GrandPa now?> and had a cluster of nurses looking at the the pictures.
When I voiced my concerns to them, I was told they have me and will take care of me as I have to dance with Gabriella at her wedding.

Disappointed Yes, a bit concerned yes - But I'll put my faith in the medical team.

Bud
Posted 1/25/2012 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Bud,

Thinking good thoughts for you. You have great things happening in your life. Like you always say .. it is just a number.

Posted 1/25/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Keep up the good thoughts and celebrate not only your new granddaugher - but the people around you - including your medical team - angels in white ( but now they wear multi-coloured scrubs !)
-wishing you lower numbers,
hugs,
Bronson
Posted 1/25/2012 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Bud, as I wrote recently, it took my dad a full year to get to less than 1 on HT. Before that time PSA went down, then up, then finally settled low this month. It takes time for HT to work, it seems. Still too early to worry! You are shooting for your granddaughter´s wedding, you beat my dad who wants to take my baby son off to high-school in 14 years. Go Bud!
Posted 1/25/2012 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Bud, on your next visit, when they check your PSA, I would ask them to check your "T" level too.. Sometimes the Lupron drugs don't work as well as they hoped..Some guys have had better luck with what they call a "Triple Blockade" , a combination of three HT drugs that is sometimes more effective than just one..Just a thought...Best of luck to you...
Posted 1/25/2012 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Bud, can understand your disapointment. By percentage, compared to your starting PSA, this could be a blip.
And congratulations again, on your grand daughter, beautiful name.

david
Posted 1/26/2012 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bud:

I'm sorry to read this. Hopefully, it is just a mistake or a temporary uptick.

Mel

Posted 1/26/2012 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Bud,

Sorry to hear about your setback. Keeping a good thought about it being a blip.

Wishing you better testing.

Jonathan
Posted 1/26/2012 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Bud,

First of all congratulations Grandpa, my granddaughter was born 10 days before my biopsy that told me I had PC last April.

Considering where your PSA started last year you have made great progress and I am waiting for good news from you by the time we all meet at GFMPH in BR.

Terry

Posted 1/26/2012 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Bud, Gabriella is a lovely name...congratulations again on her birth! I'm sure she gives you much joy - and lots to look forward to.

Sorry about the PSA results but, as others have said, compared to where you were 6 months ago, you seem to be doing great. Just keep that picture of Daniella dancing with her grandpa at her wedding in your mind.

Take care of yourself.
Posted 1/26/2012 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
wow Bud, I know your disapointed in the number. Will be waiting for the re-test. You already know were thinking about you.

Cajun jeff
Posted 1/26/2012 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hugs to each and every one of you!

SpecialLady – Just so happened my Doctor Son in law (Gabriella’s Dad) called me and we were talking about the latest results when you posted. I read your posting to him and he said yup that’s what can happen. And than he was going to check with Urologist and Oncologist Doctor friends of his. He came back later in the evening and verified it. This morning he sent me a link to a medical article (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19152438 which I do not understand! I’m a BSEE – thought I was fairly intelligent – the article is way over my head!) – summary: the article actually shows that a faster decline to zero was actually worse than a slower decline. Faster decline was associated with more aggressive disease. Who would have thought that! Maybe the upwards blip is actually a good thing

Fairwind – I asked to have both the “T” level and Vitamin D level checked with the blood sample, turns out the VA does part of that testing in house and sends out for another part of the test. I’ll follow up with them this week. Thanks for the reminder, I had forgotten about that. I’m going to open another topic on HT as have some questions on the triple therapy.

David, Mel, Jonathan – My Medical team to include Dr. Son-in-law do not seem overly concerned.

Terry – I will definitely have pictures of the GrandDaughter! Well that is if I can get any of them away from GrandMa (wife) 

Sephie – Yes Sister! I will! I held our daughter in my arms when she was a baby, I held our daughter in my arms when I danced with her at her wedding. I held our daughters baby in my arms. Definitly will hold my daughters baby in my arms when I dance with her at her wedding – in about 25 years or so!

Cajun jeff – “You already know were thinking about you.” Yes I do, I really really do not know how I would deal with this without all you wonderful people.

HUGS!

Bud

GFMPH Baton Rouge! Are we there yet?
Posted 1/27/2012 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Raddad,

Congrats on your sweet grandbaby!

Posted 1/27/2012 7:48 AM (GMT 0)
Bud,

Stay focused on that grand baby!

Oh, that reminds me... seems we have a "cutest baby" contest due! lol

My little man was born on the 16th, weighing in at 9 lbs 15.4 oz and 22 inches long. :)

On day 4, he was holding his own bottle. On day 5, he rolled over in his cradle...

Now THERE'S some numbers to focus on. :)

Be well, my friend!


Edit: for typo

Post Edited (MsWorryWart) : 1/27/2012 9:11:39 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/27/2012 9:32 AM (GMT 0)
Bud, that´s an interesting article, thanks for sharing! A few months ago, I wrote to my dear relative who is also a GP doctor, very intelligent guy. He called me immediately and said: "I am not urologist, but I see these patients all the time, believe me when I say to you, your dad will not die of prostate cancer!" He went on and on trying to convince me of this fact. He told me it was more important to stay positive and not think of it. He said it is not "cancer" like some other serious types of cancers. It certainly was reassuring to hear that.
Posted 1/28/2012 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I called and received my T level - it is 23.9.

Ralph and I have emailed a number of times, gads Ralph is really smart! Was all I could do to understand his emails! Good thing I have my Doctor Son-in-law to decipher for me:)

I've decided I'm going to call the Medical Team early next week and have another discussion. When I got the news of the PSA increase my mind went a bit blank, which only reenforces "have someone there with you"

While I do trust them I do wonder why I should be waiting another month for a PSA test.

Monday is go see Grand Daughter day - great medicine!

Hugs all!

Bud
Posted 1/28/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bud,
Good move! Still hoping for an error.

RalphV
Posted 1/30/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you Rad-DAD
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