It's back

[treedown]

So PSA is at 1.05 as of today so with it I have come to grips with the fact I was not cured. I knew a few hours after my first PSA it was a long shot. Emotionally I don't feel as rattled as I did when it hit .5 as I expected this based on the calculated DT from the last 2 tests. My MO said DT doesn't matter at these lower #s but I didn't believe him. So scans for sure and then see what I am dealing with. Blood works good and I feel great so for now nothing has really changed and everything as really changed.

[treedown]

Yes off everything for a little over a year and yes HSPC. I will see my MO Jan 5. Not sure a plan can be determined until after scans. My initial treatment was with curative intent but based on how my disease presented it was a long shot from day one. I tried to not hope but was unsuccessful. Reality came rushing back today.

[PSAed in reply to treedown]

Firstly thank you for posting treedown I am very interested in your journey as it is similiar to mine except for the PSA value at Dx. Mine was 15 and I too was told my treatment is curative. I finished my 2 years on LUCRIN = (LUPRON ) in June '22 i.e. that was my last injection.

I am sorry your treatment did not deliver the cure anticipated, and if that happens in my case I sincerely hope I can accept it as courageously as you have. I'll try!

As others have implied, it is just another step in our journey.

[PSA680]

Good luck with the scans & your chosen treatments for this next chapter my friend

[Tall_Allen]

Some think it's better to be a pessimist because one is never disappointed, or to be an optimist -- to always have hope and have it dashed. I don't know if one has much of a choice - it seems to be the nature one has.

If your PSADT is rapid, and your bone scan/CT is negative, a short stint with ADT and a second generation hormonal may be beneficial:

prostatecancer.news/2022/09...

[treedown in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks TA, DT is 1.3 months. I should expect bone and CT, but will see what my MO says about the PSMA, FDG, etc.

[Tall_Allen in reply to treedown]

A bone scan/CT is necessary to see if you qualify for that protocol. If you want to have a PSMA PET scan as well, I'm not sure what you would do with that information.

[treedown in reply to Tall_Allen]

I know with past bone, CT and MRI they have something to compare new scans to. Originally my MO said he may ask for a scan at .5 but when I hit that he slowed down and pointed out BCR is at 2 so he clearly was in transition during those 2 visits on how to proceed. I'll have to see what he thinks now. Thanks.

[Kaliber]

dang buddy … that’s the chits , isn’t it !!! Like you said tho … you’re in really good physical condition … you have miles and miles and miles left to go , this even before you get to hospices door, and even then it’s still possible to escape that for a while …. Look at me, I’m 48 months post hospice and ( hopefully) still have plenty of gas in the tank ( and elsewhere, not talk’in about my truck either yayahahahaya ). Hang in there, fortunately your cancer sounds extremely slow growing. let us know your plan forward…. Being advanced stage4 myself, I don’t think about cures unless some new wonder drug appears … I do , however, consider remission, ….it’s do-able in aPCa … it’s a softer thought , plenty of guys here are in long lasting remission. Alive is alive ‘ eh ? Yayahahahaya. I’d take smelling the daisies ( and not pushing them up ) anytime brother.

Even more the reason to get out , with friends and/or family and enjoy those QOL times / experience’s …. enriching your life.

❤️❤️❤️

[treedown in reply to Kaliber]

I agree K and this group has always kept me grounded. I had my pity party last test so this one is more in stride and not hitting as hard. Pretty sure I know where it is going and gotta hope for that long medical remission like yours now. Gonna keep up what I have been doing since dx and enjoy everyday as much as I am able and keep a healthy mind and body.

[Kaliber in reply to treedown]

ryte on bruddha … even if you live to 100 , this experience prodding us to get out , with our loved ones, and making the most of our time, jacking our QOL ….hey, that’s all good. Love ya buddy.

❤️❤️❤️

[treedown in reply to Kaliber]

Right back at ya.

[addicted2cycling in reply to treedown]

treedown, saddened to read your post so maybe spinning the cranks or trail pounding the ground would be in order. 👍

Tall_Allen wrote --- " Some think it's better to be a pessimist because one is never disappointed, or to be an optimist -- to always have hope and have it dashed. I don't know if one has much of a choice - it seems to be the nature one has ... "

IMO, of course being a pessimist is better because one is ALWAYS RIGHT AND PREPARED, or pleasantly surprised and can go celebrate. My latest PSA up to 2+ again so halted *T* with it back down to < 2ng/dL [remarkably feeling great except for PIGGY #2 still big time swelling and pain ;o( ] and waiting for another PSA result. If higher than scanning for searching then move on.

[treedown in reply to addicted2cycling]

I have been off the bike doing work on my house the last few weeks and have another week or 2 depending on weather. Then back to my routine. Spent 6 hours up and down a ladder today installing a tongue and groove ceiling and feeling it much more than a nice long ride. As for being a pessimist I have my moments but my wife wouldn't put up with it much if I was one around her.

Hopefully there's something to celebrate after the scans.

[addicted2cycling in reply to treedown]

Wife has put up with my pessimism for 49 years and she still wants me around. She understands. House work first THEN PLAY TIME!

[Scout4answers in reply to treedown]

Gonna keep up what I have been doing since dx and enjoy everyday as much as I am able and keep a healthy mind and body.

Make the best of what time we have left, no one knows how much that will be. Live Large!

[Hidden]

Well, that sucks buddy! But I think that you will tackle it again … whatever it takes to kill our little friend ?…. It’s a Bs Psa and numbers game .Stay strong amigo!

[Kaliber in reply to Hidden]

💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️

[Hidden in reply to Kaliber]

compadre ! 🤙🏽

[addicted2cycling]

A few weeks ago. Until next test just circling in a hold pattern that includes a cruise 🛳️ that forecaster's are predicting will be affected by NICOLE ???

[treedown in reply to addicted2cycling]

Affected by NICOLE doesn't sound like fun. What does that mean?

[addicted2cycling in reply to treedown]

NICOLE is the name the Caribbean storm will get (ALSO our daughter's name and the back yard tree with her name is the one that came down from IAN and put hole in her bedroom roof). ALREADY have the entire cruise re-routed because of the seas.

[MateoBeach]

Hate it when that happens. BCR. Be sure scans include a PSMA PET. And let us know. 💪💪

[treedown in reply to MateoBeach]

TA asked "If you want to have a PSMA PET scan as well, I'm not sure what you would do with that information." What do you think?I am wondering if this would be a good time to try Casodex and Dustesteride and thought of you.

BCR will be official in 1.3 months assuming DT stays consistent and thats right at my next office visit so will get scans after that I assume. I'll decide how to proceed at that point.

[MateoBeach]

PSMA is more sensitive scan than others. If it shows multiple sites of Mets (>5) beyond the pelvis then regional pelvic and metastasis directed RT for oligomets would be futile and not indicated. If 5 or less then may be beneficial to target them. You gain nothing by not looking with best available scans.

[treedown in reply to MateoBeach]

Well I had extensive RT already so not sure what to do if the issue is in the pelvis or the gland. There was also bladder neck thickening so...Thanks

[addicted2cycling]

Cozumel then Costa Mayo then MSC's Island Ocean Cay then Nassau and back to Canaveral as of now but who knows for sure??? Just had on board lunch that SADLY included a bottle of CA. Merlo 🍇At least it was VEGAN food 😀