Upcoming Tests

There hasn't been a regular "this month's tests" thread for a while, so I'll start it for now...

My next PSA (2 1/2 yrs post RALP, 6 months since the last one) is Oct 22. Honestly, I haven't had time to get anxious about it. I've had plenty of stress this summer, so this doesn't seem particularly worrisome. After all, the sequence of my last 3 1/2 months goes something like this:

Early April: This job I moved halfway across the country to take last October got changed on me in significant ways--ways that I knew were beyond me.

Late April: My mom got hospitalized with a bowel blockage, had surgery, and (we didn't know it then) was never going to go home to live.

June 3: Job ends

June 15: Mom dies at home

Sometime in July: start drawing unemployment for the first time in my life

Late July: finally have enough of the estate stuff dealt with that I can start the job hunt.

In the middle of all this, seeing the Urologist appointment on Aug 22 seems like a "so what?"

Oh man, halbert, that is a lot to absorb. So sorry the job crapped out like that, and sorry about your mom. I lost my mom in the fall of 2013, and it was (sometimes still is) quite emotional.

For what it's worth, this seems to be a very hot job market at least here in southeast Michigan. I'm hoping something comes your way soon.

And you're right, the urology stuff can take a back seat for a while! Take care. Will we see you at GFMPH in September?

My next PSA check is Oct 18, the day after my birthday. I'm predicting it will still be 0.8. We'll see!

July my PSA went up to 5.3. Doubling time at 6 months. Did bone scan and CT scan. Mets not showing up yet. Will repeat scans in 6 months. If mets are visible at that time, will begin ADT.

Bad news: mets are going to show sooner or later.☹️
Good news: don't have to start ADT for at least 6 more months.🙂

Hal,
Sorry the job didn't work out and so sorry about Mom. Have found myself in a similar position with the job situation and it resulted in something much better than what I had originally moved for. So I'm pulling for you. On the Mom thing, I have experienced that as well. Only time will allow you to deal with the loss. As someone has said about PC, it takes awhile to get used to the new "normal."
Will you be coming to STL for your appointment? IF so, lunch is on me!
Take care.

Hal, I didn't know the job didn't work out, so sorry to hear that. And after you moved to philly. And your mom on top of all that. Lot of tough stuff to handle.

My PSA is coming up end of August, after the last one in May came back at .033. So this is a big one. Can't say I'm not nervous about it, because I am. I sort of expect another rise. 🙄

Samster, the blood work will be here, almost around the corner from our house, thanks for the offer anyway. One good thing about the job loss....I didn't have to justify my absences to anyone. And, Redwing (and others), we are planning on GFMPH in September.

Halbert,
Sorry to hear about your mom and the job. FWIW, I lost a job at 59 and thought I'd never work again. As luck had it I landed another job for more money even before my unemployment ran out. Here's hoping you will be as lucky.

I'm enjoying the rest of the summer without needing to worry about PSA until October, after my wife and I return from our fall trailer camping trip on Cape Cod--walking the dog onthe national seashore and taking telephoto pictures of the gray seals. Then it will be time to put the trailer to bed for the winter, visit the MO, and see what bodes for 2018, which will most likely be my introduction to lupron.
Jim

halbert, You've certainly had your share of stress to deal with. So sorry about the loss of your mom, and your job. Good luck on the next test. I go in for my 2 yr test on wednesday. BTW, you WILL get thru it. I lost my job 3 months after my RP. Was out for about 3 months.

Gosh, halbert - You've had your plate full these days. I'm sort of stunned that the job went that way so quickly. I know it can happen, but is stinks just the same.

I lost my mother almost 15 years ago, and I still sometimes think "I should call mom about this." I know how that feeling of loss can stay with us for our entire lives, but we do manage to move on eventually.

Good luck on the numbers. I'm now just past 6 months out from my final SBRT treatment, and my PSA has roughly dropped by half. We're happy with it and will just continue to watch.

Wishing you the best of luck in the job hunt. I've only drawn unemployment one time in my career, but I realized that I needed to do so in order to continue to support my family while I looked for another job in a down economy. You will bounce back into working again, too. I can read it in your attitude.

Hang in there. We'll be here whenever you want to "talk."

Halbert,

So sorry to hear about your awful news. I'm sure your mom is looking down and proud of you for being helpful to so many of us here on HW. You're always so articulate, educational and uplifting, and some employer is going to be lucky to figure that out soon.

Best wishes,
Jim

Hal, keep your chin up. You're a talented fellow and something will come along that will work out. Am pulling for another < 0.006 for you on Aug 22

As I posted elsewhere, I got fabulous news on my PSA: 0.02 (lowest possible # on this test, no "<" sign, but this is down from 0.36 which was down from 9+). It is really fabulous because I can start my HT vacation... IMMEDIATELY.

Halbert: thanks for restarting this thread. My condolences on your loss. On this board, just about all of us can relate. Not easy.

Incidentally, I was hoping to teach every Fall term. It looks like my working days are over.

Mel

That is a bunch of stress to deal with. I go Tuesday for 3 year check up, never think about it until the day of, then anxious until results come in. Hoping for another 0.