Hi folks, I just went for my three-month PSA reading as part of my AS protocol at MSKCC. It came back at 6.54. That's a full point down from 7.51 in February. I'm still waiting for the Free PSA...
Thanks everyone for commenting and offering insight. I spoke with my doc at MSKCC, and I've decided to split the difference -- i'm going to have my next PSA reading in three months (instead of six),...
Blackjack -- thanks very much for your reply. Your observations make a lot of sense. It's just that PSA increase of one full point in six months that caused me to take pause. It just caused a lot of...
Hi InTheShop -- thanks for your reply. The doc advised the same -- to wait for the next MRI in August, but asked about my level of comfort. I'll be speaking to the doc later on. On AS, I do my best...
Looking for some insight and perspectives here: I've been on active surveillance since August 2017. My fifth biopsy (!) revealed Gleason 6 in two cores. Here is my current info: Age 52 at Dx - 8/17...
As someone who is over 50 (53) and on AS, I believe I made the right choice (see my stats in signature), but I advise everyone considering AS to understand there will be that period of "getting your...
My AS protocol is at MSKCC in NYC. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (see stats below) in August 2017 following a biopsy. I had had an MRI in June 2017. After diagnosis, my confirmation biopsy...
Thanks for this post as that is an issue that concerns me as well: On active surveillance (AS) but still wondering about other prostate issues. My father dealt with BPH for a long time (but never...
Thanks everyone for all the replies! This forum has been a tremendous source of information and support. I'm hoping to document as much of my active-surveillance journey here so, down the road,...
Thanks for your quick response, @Pratoman. Being on active surveillance has definitely confirmed that "my brain has a mind of its own." I think mindfulness is such an important part of the AS...
Had my scheduled appointment at MSKCC last week and received the results: PSA - 6.43, fPSA - 22%, DRE - normal. The docs stated I was still in range and I should continue with AS. As I just had a...
I've found this whole thread quite interesting and very helpful. After my diagnosis, I wasn't even sure what "mindfulness" was until @tallallen mentioned it in a few threads. I don't even know if I'm...
Good luck to you! AS can be a bit stressful, but once I started viewing AS in just six-month intervals and stopped my mind from looking years down the road into the unknown (basically a lose-lose...
I'm currently on AS per the protocols of MSKCC in NYC. With AS, for me, it's very important to practice "mindfulness" for keeping my head straight. Just focus on what you do know and enjoy life right...
I think it very much depends on one's personality, but for me: Throughout my long journey through the "jungle" of various biopsies, MRIs, and then finally diagnosis, I only shared the details with my...
Folks, I can't tell you enough just how much I appreciate all the responses. It plays so much better in my "head" that I am now "officially" on active surveillance. That limbo period from diagnosis...
I posted this on another thread, but it might have gotten lost in the shuffle, so I'm breaking it out separately. I hope that's cool. I received the pathology report from Monday's confirmatory...
Well, I received the pathology report from Monday's confirmatory biopsy, and it revealed 1 core of 14, Gleason 3+3, 2% of core. Given these results, the docs believe I am good to go regarding...
Well, gents, eight or so months after being diagnosed with Gleason 6 PCa (see sig), I say "hello" to the "staple gun" once again for a confirmation biopsy on Monday. It'll be my sixth biopsy...
My quick view from the cheap seats... I was pescetarian long before I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My cholesterol is normal, I'm 6'3" and weigh 162 lbs. My blood pressure is 111/72. Do I think...
Hi folks, I have a confirmatory biopsy coming up in a couple of weeks, and out of the five biopsies I've had so far, only the last one reached a higher level of discomfort -- the last few shots of...
As someone relatively new to AS, I would recommend it if your diagnosis falls within the strict requirements. For me, AS took some "mind adjustment," as it were, because it's easy to get overwhelmed...
Wow, man, thanks very much for this thoughtful post! Right back at ya -- please always remember how important your posts and your blog are to all of us here. The information you collect, provide,...
I am bit confused about my own situation. I had a BX/DX in 11/17 currently on AS with MSKCC. MSKCC read the BX and agreed with the G6 3+3 findings (see below). I just had my second MRI guided BX on...
@JJO -- As I'm basically taking AS in six-month time intervals, I'm bit more concerned with "what is not known" than "what is known," as it were. I'm basically seeking more data -- Sure, it's a bit...
Update: After thinking about MSKCC's protocol over the weekend, I decided that I was not comfortable with the elimination of the confirmatory biopsy. I contacted the doctor directly after taking the...
Checking in quickly via mobile device during the weekend, but I just wanted thank folks again for the responses, and especially Tall Allen for some crucial info. Will check back in during the week,...
I appreciate everyone's comments here -- thanks so much! I just got back from MSKCC, and a strange situation has arisen, and I'm in need of some advice. My PSA came back slightly lower than it's been...
Well gents, I head back to MSKCC in NYC this week after being diagnosed with G6 prostate cancer in August 2017. At that time, my urologist, a surgeon, and a radiation oncologist suggested active...
SteveSR -- I was just diagnosed with low-risk, Gleason 6 in August 2017. Please see my stats in my signature. My advice would be to sit back, take a lot of deep breaths, and talk to a variety of pros...
dbell -- see my stats in my signature below. After 9 (!) years of an up-and-down PSA (from from 4 to 7) and four negative biopsies, I was just diagnosed this past August after my fifth biopsy. My...
As usual, I enjoyed reading another article from Tall Allen because it was very clear and answered some crucial questions with the info currently on hand. As someone who was just diagnosed in August...
Speaking from what I know now regarding MSKCC's qualifications for active surveillance (AS), your husband's current state would surely have him continuing on AS there. Side note -- I'm getting the...
Dogdays, Works Out: Thanks very much for the replies. I just trying to gather as much "user-experience" anecdotes from all the different treatment "flavors" out there....
Hello folks, I was wondering if anyone here was treated with MSKCC's version of SBRT -- SHARP? https://www.mskcc.org/clinical-updates/sharp-advantage-men-prostate This article from June states that...
Folks, I do appreciate the replies! For clarity, I'm currently not making any decisions or looking for prescriptive advice. I just joined the active surveillance crew in September, so my next formal...
During the past few months (and especially since my diagnosis), I have been reading a lot about surgical and the various radiological treatments. Most current studies are showing the rates of success...
What were the specifics of your MRI? What is your Free PSA? My PSA was all over the map from 2009 until 2017. It went over 4.0 at that time, and then every six months it would sometimes jump up over...
After my diagnosis, I was on the fence on whether I should notify any particular person or department of my condition. Even though I was not facing immediate treatment, I am in a managerial position...
Thanks to everyone for their replies -- I appreciate the insight. It appears my schedule will look this for the next 18 months (barring any major changes to PSA and biopsy results): February 2018 --...
After being diagnosed in August with 2/14 cores of G6, I decided to give MSKCC's AS program a shot. The current plan is to have a PSA test in February 2018 and then a confirmatory biopsy within three...
I haven't been able to read through this entire thread, but this gathering, and others like it, seem like great ideas to build community, discuss problems/results, and relate to others who must face...
I surely don't have as much well-rounded knowledge as some of the other well-informed gents around here, but I was just diagnosed with a Gleason 6 (see signature) and am pursuing AS at Sloan...
NKinney, like the odds maker at a Vegas casino, makes some important metrics-based points here. As someone new to AS, I too face the fears stemming from "it's not what we now know, it's what we don't...
That was a very informative presentation -- thanks for circulating that....
Thanks for starting this thread. I'd very much like to hear responses. I'm currently a Gleason 6 as well and on AS, so I'm trying to gather as much info as possible (always preparing that my AS might...
Couldn't find specific info on this, so I thought I'd tap the knowledgeable folks here: When a patient is diagnosed with PCa that meets the specifics for an active surveillance (AS) program after a...
@Subdennis -- I very much appreciate the summary you provided on PCRI conference. Like you, I've been a pescetarian for more than 10 years now. I've kept fish in the diet mainly to get the hearty...
Thanks very much, garyi. Regarding the cancer forums, you might have a point. My wife says calls them "double-edged swords"... "So, did you gain more knowledge or panic after reading message boards...
Do we even come close to living the lives that are "prehistory ancestors" experienced? I think our "prehistory" ancestors would get a bigger laugh at how we spend our days before we eat that big...