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Posted 9/15/2010 9:28 PM (GMT -5)
Casey,

I know you are probably statistically correct, but as a t3b, with a Gleason 9, I guess i don't feel quite so lucky.  I have a 20 times increase in mortality numbers over a Gleason 7, and you know, I am really OK with that.  Not afraid to die, not that concerned about future treatments if required.

I am concerned tho about quality of life.  Life is good for me now.  I am healthy, active, feel good, and according to doctor, really am good. 

My current plan is to keep running until I am not good.  Moderate diet, but not excessive.  Eating what I like in moderation, keeping my BMI in line, cholesterol under a 100, BP in normal range.

Assuming that my life expectancy is somewhere around 70 to 75, I really only have 15 to 20 % of my expected life yet.  Probably too late to make any sudden changes.  Particularly when it comes to food.

I am going to stay the course and see where it ends up.

Posted 9/15/2010 9:33 PM (GMT -5)
I saw your stats.

Your last third, your last quarter...whatever. You're going to be around for quite a while still.

I understand about the momentum that is in place. Do what you can. You don't have to turn your life upside down. Some people can, and do...I didn't, but I continue to make changes/improvements on a regular basis.

take care...
Posted 9/16/2010 6:05 PM (GMT -5)
Goodlife, I like your style. The rest of you guys are not bad either. We are all in a battle but some of us are closer to the front lines than others, so the strategy and tactics must differ. We do what we have to do to stay happy and alive.

One year ago yesterday I had my surgery. It seems unreal to me that it all actually happened. If it wasn't for those pesky PSA tests, I'd be clueless and carefree. I have to decide if having those ultra-sensitive tests are really the way to go. OMG! My PSA rose by .03!!! What the heck does that really mean? Anyhow, I had my blood test yesterday by Nurse Ratchett and I'll let you all know how my little expirement went. If I didn't drive my PSA into the ground, I will be really, really P.O. Some good news though. Last night, one year post-op, I had the stiffest, nighttime woodie I have had since surgery. Too bad it was wasted!
Posted 9/24/2010 10:15 AM (GMT -5)
The results are finally in. My PSA came back .02! My previous post-op PSA's were: .04, .03, .02, .05, and now .02. After the sudden rise to .05, I implemented a little strategy prior to the last test.

Two weeks prior to the test I went on a stricter diet than I usually follow, which is almost 100% vegetarian to start with. The most significant change I made during the two weeks was to consume three bowls of tomato sauce every day. The sauce contains a lot of garlic. I mean a lot! No beer. That was a sacrifice. I only drank water, two cups of coffee, and blueberry smoothies made from soymilk.

So what did I learn from this experiment? I welcome comments and ideas.

Could the previous .05 have been the anomaly?

Would my PSA have been higher if I didn't do the strategy? Would it now be .06? Or .08 for instance, and an apparent BCR? Did I shield the 'real' PSA score? I won't know until the next test.

Diet affects PSA? To confirm this premise, before my next test, I should eat fatty and fried foods, meat, dairy, and abstain from the good foods I usually eat.

Nah, I don't think I'll do that. For now, I'm just going to breath a sigh of relief and be grateful for the low score this time.
Posted 9/24/2010 1:13 PM (GMT -5)
Red...don't think you shielded the 'real' PSA score...and you did prove that diet can make a difference...at least in your case it did.

Diet makes for a healthy immune system...a healthy immune system is the best fighter against cancer.

Congrats and keep it up.
Posted 9/24/2010 1:20 PM (GMT -5)

Red,

kbota posted this on another thread earlier today; maybe it also applies to you:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.


Whaddya think?

Posted 9/24/2010 1:51 PM (GMT -5)
I know that little prayer very well, and thank you for reminding me Casey. I went into surgery praying the first part, and now I am trying to apply the second part.

Btw, did you notice my .02! Yippee! I love .02's!

peace,

john
Posted 9/24/2010 1:54 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Les, I couldn't agree with you more.

peace,

john
Posted 9/24/2010 2:19 PM (GMT -5)

Red Nighthawk said...

Btw, did you notice my .02! Yippee! I love .02's!

 

Yes, I absolutely did.   yeah   :-)

 

Keep the faith!

Posted 9/24/2010 3:29 PM (GMT -5)
I have a timing strategy... Do not schedule PSA tests during Oct, Nov, Dec... Want to keep it out of the focus during these holiday times with my wife and family... We have been thru a couple of tough ones because of this and some other issues during the holidays and do not want to travel that stormy sea again... Nothing going to happen with PSA that will not wait til January... :-)
Posted 9/24/2010 3:59 PM (GMT -5)
I had not been keeping up with this thread -

Red - great number, .02. I'd prefer to think that the .05 was a lab fluke, because as someone else alluded to, after the sex, coffee, beer, money, and boxers are gone, I'm not going to give up my one steak a week that the budget still permits  sad .

David - how can they let you stay in SC if you've given up beer, red meat, and fried foods? You must be paying extra taxes.

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