Success stories

[Granolaberry]

Hello

I was diagnosed with Gleason 3+4 in January and had surgery - clear margins and clear lymph nodes but worried and have a lot of anxiety about recurrence. Any success stories out there? Please share as I am so scared of my first PSA test in a few weeks. Thanks

[Murk]

Many mentioned as a reply to your previous post that it takes time to see if there is any remnants or PCa left behind. In the mean time you could research another great doc and facility for a second opinion. Having and visualizing a plan helps calm oneself. And in the mean time heal and get your scheduled follow up PSA test.

In my RP case, the biopsy indicated cancer on the outer portion of my prostate so it wasn’t contained. It took three years for my PSA move above .001 and once it did I didn't hesitate or panic and had a strong next step plan. My salvage radiation went great, I feel the same as before, everything works and my PSA is back to nothing.

Studies show that I well over a 80% chance of the PCa being gone this time. But to be sure I will monitor it closely by having PSA tests every 90 days for a couple years and then slowly over time stop testing.

[allie2020]

I had my robotic RP in 2018 and my PSA's have been <.006. I must admit, I still get 'psa anxiety' before every test and we always celebrate when it comes back undetectable. I was also 3+4 and had no adverse features on my pathology. Also, my two best friends had surgery for their prostate cancer, one robotic in 2010 and one open in about 1990. Neither ever had a recurrence. The latter one died a few years ago at 89 from something unrelated. Good luck to you.

[cpl901]

I think you have nothing to worry about. My case : Dec 22 I was diagnosed G 3+4, had RP Sept 23 9 month after dignosis. PSA was hovering around 5-6. I m 58 now and going for testing PSA every 6 months next in August. After surgery PSA was undetectable. Clear margine, no LN. PET Scan done in June 23 was clear (except the Prostate). Of course it is stressfull because you never know what happend during surgery, if some cell could go out around the body, but i hope the work was done good. There is a psycological stress allways before getting PSA result. But i m not looking to do something else, i m just curious in case of.. and of course i wouldnt hurry in case of ...

I just try to breathe deep.

After surgery i had a little deal with continence and now after 6 months i m training to get back potency (work in progress).

[LongevityAT]

I know it is hard to do, but your mindset is critical here. Whether you are anxious about the results or not, it doesn't change anything. There are several breathwork techniques that will definitely help you establish good "mind-body" connections, which in turn will give you the tools you need to live in the present moment. Your goal is to be able to silence that inner voice and not allow it to dominate. For me, I practice the Wim Hof Method (I'm also an instructor for Wim). It is a great way to facilitate silencing that inner voice. PM me if you would like more detail, I'm happy to help.

[jackwfrench]

Hello - I had 3+4 and RP in 2021 w clear margins, but it was too late- cancer cells had previously escaped with PSA <1 until I had recurrence two years later, and now I am on hormone therapy. Almost 1/3 have recurrence at some point, though I was very early relatively. I will offer one tip though, keep your weight down to your post surgery level or lower to reduce your chance of recurrence. Can't remember which study but I later found out that even a modest increase in weight post surgery doubles your chance of recurrence. Good luck.

[dentaltwin]

I was G 3+4 when my RP was performed in 2018. Furthermore, the preop MRI strongly suggested extracapsular spread. I've also been treated for anxiety and depression for over 20m years. So yeah, it's stressful. But the postop path showed NO extracapsular extension, and no change in Gleason score. Every 6 months I suffered from "scanxiety". But I'm out now 5 1/2 years and doing well. Most likely you will do well too.

[Don717]

You know my story...RP at 60, 4+3 with IDC, <10% of PV affected. 29 months now at <.01. I'll tell ya in 20 years if my primary treatment was successful..lol! One step at a time. Get that first 3 month U/S PSA done!!

[Granolaberry in reply to Don717]

thanks so much for your feedback! Hope all is well

[Fairway]

My Gleason similar to yours, GB, and no recuurrence going on eight years. Best of luck.