Latest PSA

My six month PSA is 0.01, so far so good. Does the apprehension ever go away, or you just learn to deal with it better?

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Pre-Op PSA 9.9
1 of 12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3
DaVinci on 9/5/2007
Post-Op Gleason 3+6, Negative Nodes and Margins
Less than 1% of prostate involved with CA
3 Month PSA 0.01, 6 Month PSA 0.01
Incontinence resolved 9/15/2007, one day after cath removal
ED showing significant improvement, more notable over last month
with Viagra 100 mg.

Lungman, congratulations on your undetectable PSA test result.

I've now had four post-op PSA tests. The first three were filled with anxiety waiting for the results. However, while waiting for my fourth and most recent result, which I received yesterday, I had little anxiety during those four days awaiting the results. Somehow, mentally I figured it would be undetectable. The only time it reared it's head was when I made that phone call to my surgeon's office to ascertain whether it was still undetectable. My surgeon told me that although everyone is different, he found that in many of his patients the anxiety lessens with each successive, favorable test.

Good luck and may you continue to pull those 0s.

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Diagnosed: March 25, 2007. Age 49
Biopsy: Gleason 6. Five of twelve samples positive with <5% each. No perineural invasion seen.

Good news, Lungman!  about the apprehension, I was anxious for the three months before my first post-prostatectomy PSA.  It was a big relief to get the first non-detectable PSA report.  After that, each time I get a PSA test drawn, I get apprehensive for a few days until I get the results.  It does get easier over time. 

Yep, it gets better. Just as soon as ya make that choice to be in charge again. It's a lesson I learned almost 3 decades ago. Worry gives us grey hair, causes premature aging and disrupts quality of life. Qulaity of life is more important than worrying and in this house...there isn't room for both all the time. Notice I leave an opening for exceptions ;>)

After 1 or 2 more tests you will get tired of fighting worry and move forward. Glad to see the numbers are soooo good!

swim

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Hi Lungman: I've had my third negative post-op PSA and like most guys, my anxiety creeps up on me during the days preceding and following the blood tests -- especially when we're waiting for the phone call from our doc. I got so sick of waiting for results from my primary care physician (up to six days one time) that I now refuse to have blood drawn at her office. I have her give me the request form for a blood test and take it to the local lab, where I can request my results and get them within a day or so. That's a good thing, because as we all know, the waiting game can be hell. Each time I've had a PSA test since my surgery in January '07, I've felt like I was in a game of Russsian Roulette.

On the brighter side, my brother in law is six years out of surgery and doesn't worry about it anymore. But he remembers those first two to three years of bi-annual PSA tests. He sweated out every one of them. He doesn't worry anymore.
So, I guess, the more negative PSAs we get, the less anxious we will be.
Best to ya,
Tom

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D.O.B - 8/9/52

PSA: First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1

DRE: Negative

Biopsy results 11/22/06.  Both lobes involved.  Six out of eight cores positive - from 100 percent to 90, to 60, to 50, two 20s and two zeros.

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007

Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear.  Volume of tumor much less than biopsy suggested.  12 percent overall.

First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

Second post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 9/11/07

Third post-surgery PSA -- Undetactable, 2/15/08

Post Edited (PianoMan) : 3/20/2008 3:05:04 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Lungman,

Glad to see your results are so good and may you forever be undetectable! (you know what I mean!)
The anxiety will ease for you just as everyone has said. You have good results in all respects and should expect that to continue.

Susan

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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 PSA: 7.96 No Symptoms
2/09/06: LRP - Post Pathology - Gleason 4+3 Stage T2b NO MX
3 mo. PSA: 11.8 Stage T3a
6 mo. PSA: 18.8 Stage IV Systemic w/ distant lymph node involvement
Start HT - Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07: PSA 0.3
PSA - Undetectable since 6/07/07

Hi Lungman,

Glad to see your numbers are good. I pray that it continues for many years to come.

Best wishes

Diana

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"Idaho" ~ Barry

 

Da Vinci Surgery July 31, 2007… 54 on surgery day
PSA 4.3  Gleason 3+3=6  T2a  Confined to Prostate

1st PSA  9/11/2007   <0.04 (undetectable)

2nd PSA 12/10/2007  <0.04

My web site: http://pca-info.blogspot.com

A great result! That is wonderful news. I actually don't think it goes away (anxiety about PSA's), but in my real life I am a moderately anxious, but well controlled individual anyway, so I will probably always freak out! In my 20's I use to wear a badge which said "When in doubt.. panic".

I think I will always experience moderate to severe anxiety at PSA time. However my husband seems to have almost forgotten that the 3rd PSA test is also looming. All the very best to you Lung, and enjoy that celebration! cheers, Lana

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Creed_three (Lana & CJ)

I appreciate everyones support here, I gain strength from knowing I am not alone.

Lungman

Great news on your latest PSA results, I hope you continue to enjoy many more 0's in the future. While I don't try and think about and worry too much I can't put it to a total rest and now that it has started to increase and radation is more then likely my next stop I am pretty sure I will always have doubt as the date comes for more tests. But whatever, I will live on, take the necessary actions and live life as normal as I can and not drive myself nuts and leave the end in Gods hands.

Norskie

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norskie