Just back from Uro visit and newer higher still PSA

Uro's office called me this morning, and changed my appt, and said that Dr. xxx wanted to make me his last appointment of the day.  Kind of spooked me a little, but in the end, he wanted to allow plenty of time for him and I to talk.

My PSA went up another 50% in that short time to 5.8.  He was not surprised, nor I.  So for you that like to calculate doubling time, there are now 3 good points post SRT in the solid number range to work with.

We spent a solid 40-45 minutes one on one.  He likes the approach of my new medical oncologist, and like him, doesn't want to treat the number, but rather treat me the patient.  He still strongly feels that I should not start HT at this point.  This matches the intitial view of the Oncologist.  He said if I wanted it, he would advise against it, but would do it.  He still feels that is one "tool" that needs to be reserved for later.  He plans to talk to the oncologist and compare notes.  He wants to make sure that all three of us are on the same page.  I agree.

He also fully agreed, and I was waiting for his opinion, that future PSA tests will be at 6 month intervals.  If a sudden huge spike appears, then we would regroup on the subject.  He feels the oncologist is correct on that.  So my next PSA is set for December 6th of this year.

He wants me to continue to work with whatever tests are needed to get to the bottom of all the hip and back pain that is still progressing.  And, he thinks I shoulld stay right where I am with the Oncology Rehab.

Some of you, of course, won't agree with this approach, but I am ok with it, and so are both of my key doctors involved.  He said you got to be careful of taking on-line advice from non-medical people, even if they have researched, etc.  I agree with that statement as well.

That's kind of the latest scoop on me.

David in SC

 

David,
You do what you want to do. I think it's the only way to keep you happy. I do not like the disrespect you get on it, and you won't hear anything else but support from me.

Tony

David: Like you I was not shocked at your PSA results. I am pleased that you and your Dr's agree on a plan of action. It really sounds like your are much more at peace. How is Peg dealing with this stuff. We have been so concerned about you that seldom do we ask about your wife. How is she doing?

Your Brother in PCa

Cajun Jeff

142, sure, a drop would have been nice, not like I wouldn't have loved it, but it wasn't practical or logical to expect one. each of our (hw brothers in general) have our own unique path, and with mine, the cancer is bound and determined, for sure.

tony, appreciate that. i don't like to judge other's treatment plans either. although we all share a lot of what's going on, there's no way for anyone here (myself included) to know all that our doctors are thinking and scheming with our journeys. we are not the doctors, that's why we go to experts, to get expert advice.

billy, my pecker is still fine (one of the few things that keeps on ticking no matter what, perhaps thats my prize for all the other suffering). no, neither doctor feels there is any specific line in the sand, they both talk of advanced patients, not on HT or Chemo, that do well for long periods of time with rising PSA numbers. They both feel that there are doctors and patients that are too freaked out with a rising number, that jump on the non-curative path too soon.

jeff, thanks for asking. of course, peggy isn't happy that the cancer hasn't been stopped. but she has a lot of faith in the doctors too, and she knows i stay on top of the pc world. as a nurse caring for the infirmed and elderly, she's all about the quality of life over the quantity of life debate.

like she is real happy that i bought the sailboat recently, knowing that there is something other than medical criseses that can make me happy. whether i got 5 years or 20 years or whatever years, we are both trying to make it more enjoyable where and when i can. still hard to do all i want, with such a severe fatigue battle going on constantly, along with the never ending chronic pain issues.

but after 37 years, we have been through a lot together. we have seen worse. we both are just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. i am there for her, she is there for me. that's all i can ask for.

fighting to add life for the sheer sake of living longer, isn't always a good answer. that is one big lesson i have learned and come to accept after the horrific scars I have encountered in the past nearly 3 years.

david

Thanks for the update David. Hope the rehab is going well for you and maybe the pain will lessen with time. Each of us has to make the best choice of tx that we can as there are so many variables. Really not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes and there are somedays I'm not sure what I will do standing in my own shoes. Keep us updated and I'm trying my best to push this heat out of North Georgia into South Carolina.

Michael

HI, David. I'm with you on this one. Do what you feel you need to and give yourself a break. Enjoy the sailing.

Bob

Hi David

Sorry about the psa a real bummer. :(

Everyone is different in the way there cancer acts now and in the future.
I really hope it comes back a lot better in 6 months so you don't have to make a decision on further treatment.

Have a great time sailing. :)

Best Wishes

Gerry

David, .....

The PSA is what it is ... and I really like the approach of your doctors. I join all above in giving you a total vote of confidence in the route you've chosen. And, I agree the hip and back pain are #1 on the agenda right now.

Love the sound of that sail boat. You've got my email address. When you have a photo of it please send it along.

Sail on my friend, sail on.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

Beth and I've been out of town living the country life in the travel trailer for an extended weekend, hardly ever thinking about PCa, but found this bit of news when I turned on the computer.   Well, David, you predicted it, and your attitude and you whole approach sets an example that I hope I can emulate when and if my numbers start cllimbing.  I'm due for a PSA test this month, so I'm sure hoping that doesn't happen, but who knows?  Wish you all the best, and congrats to you on putting together what seems to be a first-rate medical team.

David:

When one peruses HW you get tons of opinions/arguments.

You have certainly considered them all and of course you have to decide what is best for you.

You've done that. Good luck.

One positive aspect to this PSA -- hasn't your PSADT slowed down quite a bit? It may be up, but it may be improving nevertheless.

Enjoy the 6-month break.

Mel

I think it's great you are navigating these troubled waters like a champion and you and your doctors are all on the same page..That must be a big help..

I would be interested to know if you are taking any supplements or prescription medications aimed at the PC? What are your thoughts on that..Somehow I have the feeling you are not into that stuff at all but I could be wrong..I thought about going through your old posts and threads to find the answer but 11,300 would take me quite a while...

I know David's feelings about hormone therapy, but I'm a little unsure about things like pomegranate juice, curcumin, resvestrol, vitamin D, things that Dr. Myers has had great success with...

Trolling for WHAT?? Why?? Just asking a question...

Sonny, sorry I missed your return calls, you know me, its rare that I am hovering around my cell, even missed my wife's nightly "coming home from work" call. Yes, sounds like our oncologist's thinking and plan are very similar. I am comfortable with mine, as I know you are with yours.

Mel, trolling? That made me laugh actually. The doubling time is still intense, in 6 months went from .06 to 1.24, and in 3 months went from 1.24 to 5.8, that's some pretty serious doubling.

Fairwind, my views on what you asked are well known. I am on a doctor supervised V-D program, already finished 12 weeks of 50,000 units twice a week, and now one month into three of 2,000 units per day, then my GP will retest the level and see where I stand. My uro is not prone to vitamins or supplements, unless proven needed, but since my bladder bypass surgery, he has me on Cranberry Juice tablets that I take twice a day, since I am at extreme risk for constant UTI's without a working bladder.

My GP, medical oncologist, urologist, and the oncology rehab administrator, and her oncology dietician all equally feel that POM is nothing but an expensive fruit juice, with no value in aiding in cancer. They feel its just the current fad, and that there is no proven study to show any real effectiveness, but then I have said this before.

I am not a big fan of "Snuffy" or some of his wacky approaches, but have nothing against anyone who thinks he's on to something, I think some of his methods are the exception and not the general rule. He has quite a money making machine himself going on there, and more power to him.

david