Sharing My Good News

[jfoesq]

I hope this is OK to do considering the same is not true for others. Essentially, about 18 months ago, my PSA began rising (to very low levels) after being dormant for most of the previous 10 years. Following a PSMA my MO thought the largest tumor in my left acetabulum was the culprit so after several rises in my PSA over a year long periods, only that tumor was radiated. That returned my PSA to undetectable where it remained for about a year. Then, my PSA went up to .05 followed 3 months later by .06. I was afraid a bad trend was in the early stages, which it might be. The good news is I had more labs done a few days ago, and 3 months after the .06 score, it remained at .06. It didn’t go lower, but it didn’t go higher either. I thought that was some good news following the 2 previous labs over the previous 6 months and permits me to continue with my Lupron, Aberaterone and Prednisone treatments. I hope all of you have it will have some promising news to share soon.

[Hidden]

Great news!!!!!

But thats one reason most MOs dont want to do ultra sensitive PSA tests.

Stress, you had 3 months of it. You caused your MO stress!!

.05 to .06 could be a rounding difference between 2 tests.

Testosterone in trace amounts is made in other places of the body.

I get PSA every month. As long as its <0.1 Im fine with it.

[jfoesq in reply to Hidden]

I’m not sure I understand your comments. How did I create stress for my MO? And, I always feel some stress when getting my 3 month PSA and lab tests, especially since about 20 months ago my PSA had risen and doubled a few times before I had the radiation which helped bring it below .05. Lastly, what makes .1 the magic line of demarcation for concern. If my labs went up from below .05 for a long time, to .05 to .06 ( which they did) and continued to .08 and then .09, I would view this as a trend to be concerned about even if it hadn’t reached your magical .10. This is especially true when I had been below .05 for most of the 11 years I have had metPC. Lastly, there are labs that measure to the thousandth, which MSKCC doesn’t do. So, I don’t consider my concerns to be unwarranted and my concerns didn’t cause any stress for my MO.

[MyDad76]

Great news, long may it continue. And sharing goods news gives hope to many, so I'm always happy when I see positive news.

[Lettuce231]

You are doing great 👍, I too am 10 years in and get the jitters before my PSA test. I'm really pleased that you have some good news and thanks for sharing it with us. We're all in this together.

Take care 🙂

[NecessarilySo]

I am similar, but my PSA is <0.1, ten years in. Measuring to two numbers after the decimal point is probably pointless in most cases, imo. Your MO was good to find the spot to irradiate. I just learned where the acetabulum is.

[Jp2sea]

Great! Enjoy it!!

[j-o-h-n]

Great news,,,, but don't squeeze the kid so hard,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 07/25/2023 8:25 PM DST

[cancerfox]

👍 Here's hoping you continue to get nothing but good news! 🦊

[AMIN25]

Were you taking any prostate cancer meds during your 10 yr hiatus? It's important as the following is unclear : "and permits me to continue with my Lupron, Aberaterone and Prednisone treatments"

[jfoesq in reply to AMIN25]

I had 3 “vacations” during my first 5 years but haven’t had any in the last 6. What I meant by my post was that, if I hadn’t had the radiation, I would almost certainly have moved on to a different treatment but the radiation permitted me to remain on the Lupron, aberaterone and prednisone.