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Posted 4/29/2008 12:00 AM (GMT -6)
Hi everyone, hope you are all doing okay. I am a little stressed tonight we took Rick to the lab today for his latest PSA draw and we should get the results in the morning. Last time it was at 0.30 I hope it is the same or lower.  Please wish us luck.
 
Thank you in advance
Diana
Rick & Diana
Age 68/ 67@ Dx
6-30-06  PSA 2.54
1-22-07  PSA 4.98
1-26-07  PSA 5.09
Diag: 2-14-07 Gleason 8 Stage T1c PSA 5.09
Bone Scan 3-1-07 Clear
3-6-07 Triple Spinal Fusion (due to old back injury)
Radical retropubic surgery 4-2-07  Post surgery Gleason 9 Stage T3a Positive margins
4-29-07 PSA 0.02
6-9-07   PSA 0.02
7-6-07   PSA 0.03
8-1-07   CT Scan & Chest X-Ray   Clean
 9-26-2007 PSA 0.07
11/1/07 PSA 0.1
11/30/07 PSA 0.12
01/31/2008 PSA 0.3
03/01/2008 PSA 0.3

Posted 4/29/2008 12:01 AM (GMT -6)

Hi!!!

Correction the last PSA was 0.3

Thanks

Diana

 

Rick & Diana
Age 68/ 67@ Dx
6-30-06  PSA 2.54
1-22-07  PSA 4.98
1-26-07  PSA 5.09
Diag: 2-14-07 Gleason 8 Stage T1c PSA 5.09
Bone Scan 3-1-07 Clear
3-6-07 Triple Spinal Fusion (due to old back injury)
Radical retropubic surgery 4-2-07  Post surgery Gleason 9 Stage T3a Positive margins
4-29-07 PSA 0.02
6-9-07   PSA 0.02
7-6-07   PSA 0.03
8-1-07   CT Scan & Chest X-Ray   Clean
 9-26-2007 PSA 0.07
11/1/07 PSA 0.1
11/30/07 PSA 0.12
01/31/2008 PSA 0.3
03/01/2008 PSA 0.3

Posted 4/29/2008 7:35 AM (GMT -6)
It never seems fair when that magic number is sitting on someone's computer in an office somewhere and they don't jump on the phone to tell you the minute it arrives. That just gives us time to let our imaginations run wild. Good luck! We all know how you feel.
Husband: Age 67
PSA had doubled in 14 mos to 4.3/Gleason 6
da Vinci 8/06 in Austin with Dr. Randy Fagin
Post surgical path shows encapsular penetration; possible bladder neck involvement.
PSAs remain undetectable; no further treatment at this time.
Next PSA: April 08

Posted 4/29/2008 8:42 AM (GMT -6)
Diana, Good luck! You and Rick will be in my thoughts today.
Best,
Mike
June 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist November 2005 - Biopsy negative July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1 November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative
January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear. February 2007 - Three to fo ur pads a day, no erection with viagara. April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02. Down to one pad a day.July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 No change in ED. October, 2007 - Nine Month Post-op: PSA back down to 0.02!Almost totally dry! Only slight improvement in ED - Will try injections if not improved by next appointment. January 2008: One Year Post-OP PSA 0.02 still dripping, but improving. Tried 500 dose of MUSE for ED, no luck. Will try 1000.

Posted 4/29/2008 9:29 AM (GMT -6)

Good luck Diana and Rick.

We all know how stressful it is waiting for those PSA results.

Danman Bob, Born 1951
Nerve-sparing, open prostate surgery November 13, 2007
Gleason score 9, PSA 14; Biopsy result - 9 of 12 sticks showed cancer
Post-op pathology stated that cancer was confined to the prostate
Unrelated surgery January 2008 delayed incontinence recovery, which is now showing good signs of improvement (fraction of a pad a day as of late April 2008)
100 MG Viagra 3 times a week beginning December 2007
Osbon Erec-Aid Esteem manual pump for therapy beginning mid-February 2008
30 MG papaverine/1 MG phentolamine bimix injections beginning late April 2008
Five week post-op PSA 0.2, five month post-op PSA 0.1, next test August 2008

Posted 4/29/2008 9:47 AM (GMT -6)
Just said a little prayer for you guys! Good luck and God Bless!

Father's Information
DX July 15, 2007
Age 62 (now 63)
PSA 5.5
Original Gleason 3+4=7
Post Surgery Gleason- 4+3=7
DaVinci Surgery Aug 31, 2007
Focally Positive Right Margin
One positive node
Bone Scan/CT Negative (Sept. 10, 2007)
T3a N1 M0
Oct. 17 PSA 0.07
Nov. 13 PSA 0.05
Casodex adm. Nov 07
Lupron beg. Dec 03, 2007 2 yr
Radiation started March 03-April 22, 2008- 8 weeks 5x a week
8 weeks of radiation down!!!
Praying for a cured dad. First PSA 3 months!

 

Signature edited: Single space


Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 5/2/2008 9:42:19 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/29/2008 10:05 AM (GMT -6)
Good luck, and I'll say a prayer. I know exactly how you feel.
Biopsy: Diagnosed March 25, 2007. PSA 3.0. Gleason 6. Five of twelve samples positive with <5% each. No perineural invasion seen.
Surgery: May 21, 2007, Florida Hospital, Orlando,FL
Post-op Pathology: Upgraded to Gleason 7 (3+4), negative margins, negative capsular penetration, negative seminal vesicles, lymph nodes left intact, multifocal perinural invasion, 15% of prosate involving cancer in both lobes. T2c
Continence/Erections Out of pads at five weeks. Ten months post-op I'm fully continent. No problems with having erections.
Post Surgery PSA: Four tests, all <0.1
Family history: Great-great grandfather died from PC. My Father had his prostate removed at age 67 in 1997 and has had an undetectable PSA ever since. I was diagnosed at a much earlier age and had a more agressive cancer than my father. Go figure.

Posted 4/29/2008 10:49 AM (GMT -6)
Hi anniea,
Keeping my fingers x'd for a good test result for you. I know how stressful it is waiting for the next one. My next test is due on June 11h and the butterflies are already starting to stir in my gut. Just one of the down sites of this darn cancer.
Hoping for a good result for both of us (and every one else of cause).
 
Magaboo
Born Sept., 1936
PSA 7.9
Stage T1C
-ve DRE
Gleason's Score 3+4=7
2 of 8 positive
Open RP 28 Nov 06
Post op staging T3
Gleasons still 3+4=7
Seminal vesicles and lymph nodes clear
Catheter out 15 Dec 06
Dry since 11 Feb 07
All PSA tests in 2007 (4) <.04
PSA test Mar., 08 =.04 
 
 

Posted 4/29/2008 11:16 AM (GMT -6)

Good Morning Anniea,

My thoughts and prayers are with you two today.  I am about 1.5 weeks out for my first PSA after surgery.  I can feel you concern.

 

God Bless

 

Frank

 

Diagnosed 01-08-08 @ 53 years old 
DRE normal - High PSA for 5 or more years
2004 Biospy negative - 2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)
10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core
Current PSA 6 - Bone and Ct scans negative
clinicalg Staged at T1C - Gleason 3+3 = 6
Robotic Da Vinci performed March 27th, 2008
University of Chicago,5 hour surgery , 3 hour recovery
Unexpected Cardiac issues appear and disappear?
Hospital stay 30 hours - Catheter out in 7 days  normaly expected leakage - Erectile funtion back on line 9 days 
Post Pathology T2C, Gleason 7, 10 % of both portions of prostate, Seminal vessels clear, fat tissue clear,Tumor on bottom of prostate, 1 positve margin  going to meet with oncologist to discuss treatment options if any at this time.
 

Posted 4/29/2008 12:16 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your replies & prayers. The results are in it is at 0.6 and while I realize the number is still low I am concerned that it is still going up. Rick still says no further treatment.

Thanks again & God Bless you all

Diana

 

Rick & Diana
Age 68/ 67@ Dx
6-30-06  PSA 2.54
1-22-07  PSA 4.98
1-26-07  PSA 5.09
Diag: 2-14-07 Gleason 8 Stage T1c PSA 5.09
Bone Scan 3-1-07 Clear
3-6-07 Triple Spinal Fusion (due to old back injury)
Radical retropubic surgery 4-2-07  Post surgery Gleason 9 Stage T3a Positive margins
4-29-07 PSA 0.02
6-9-07   PSA 0.02
7-6-07   PSA 0.03
8-1-07   CT Scan & Chest X-Ray   Clean
 9-26-2007 PSA 0.07
11/1/07 PSA 0.1
11/30/07 PSA 0.12
01/31/2008 PSA 0.3
03/01/2008 PSA 0.3
04/28/08 PSA 0.6

Posted 4/29/2008 3:06 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Diana,
Just sending you Love and friendship, again. 0.6 is still low and perhaps Rick could still change his mind. My prayers are always including you guys and that's not gonna stop now. I hope you guys are still thinking about Vegas. We'd Love to have you by. God Bless you, and Stay Positive...

Tony
Age 45 (44 when Dx)
Pre-op PSA was 19.8
Surgery on Feb 16, 2007 @ The City of Hope
Post-Op Pathology: Gleason 4+3=7, positive margins, Stage pT3b (Stage III)
HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg
IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07
Current PSA (1/08): <0.1
I will continue HT until May '09. 
Years in Remission (3/23/07): 1
Visit my Journey at:
 
STAY POSITIVE!
 
Prostate Cancer Forum Moderator

Posted 4/29/2008 4:12 PM (GMT -6)
Going tomorrow myself , I know the stress
50 years old
gleason 3+4=7 psa5.8 clinical stageT3a
Da vinci surgery April10 2007 Mayo clinic Rochester, Mn.
extraprostatic extension Gleason -same
pelvic lymph nodes -negative
Catheter out April 19
37 treatments IMRT ended 10/26/07

Posted 4/29/2008 4:59 PM (GMT -6)
Diana,

I understand your worry...since Rick says no more treatment, where do you go from there. Every 3 months that fear rears it's ugly head and you wait for that one word that brings respite: undetectable.
I think as wives we want every possible option for remission/cure to be open AND we want our husbands to feel that way. If we could give them the fight to withstand this terrible disease, of course we would! Sadly, that's not the way it always works out and the ability to really understand and come to grips with that fact...is not easily come by.
I'm not saying this in a defeatist way, but only that people handle these situations in a way that fits for them.

Rick has some time to think this over, for you both to talk about his decision and yes, he may very well change his mind. I hope whatever the decision, you both will be at peace with it.

I wish you both well and please know we are here for you.

Susan
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

Link to journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=826731

Posted 4/29/2008 5:01 PM (GMT -6)
Diana--This is difficult news to hear that Rick's PSA is going up.  I hope for a good outcome if you decide on further treatment now or later.  You are in my prayers for every good thing.  Take care and hang in there...Tim
Age 59  PSA quadrupled in 1 yr (0.6 to 2.5) 
DRE neg  1 of 12 biopsies pos (5%) 
Open surgery June 2006 
Cancer confined to prostate (1 pea-sized area) 
T2a  Gleason 5 (3+2)  PSA < 0.1  

Posted 4/29/2008 10:17 PM (GMT -6)
Thinking of you as you await your future - its the anxiety build I pray does not grab you and shake you. Know that others are praying and concerned and that all that energy toward "Good" means a great deal....you are in good company. We deal with the cards we are dealt.

FairRider
Age 54;
Familial Pca - Father, paternal uncle, 1 brother
1999 PSA 2.8; 2004 PSA 2.88; 1/2008 PSA 5.6 & 4.37
DRE - "Unremarkable, soft"
Free PSA 0.46 and ratio 0.11
Biopsy 1/25/2008 - 10 Cores - 4 with adenocarcinoma
3 cores Gleason 3+3=6 and 1 core 3+4=7
No Stage given on report, maybe T1c or T2c ?

Robotic Surgery March 17, 2008
Both Nerves Spared - Pre-surgery DRE - TC1
Post Op Pathology - T3a Extra-prostatic Extension,
CLEAR margins, 4 Lymph Nodes Clear, Seminal Vesicles clear.
Gleason now 4+3+7, Tumor 20-30% of gland
*Update - 2nd opinion Pathology says "established EPE & positive margin"
Continence ok, except when sleeping - No response with Viagra, minimal with Bimix
4/28/08 - 1st Post-Op PSA = <0.01

Posted 4/30/2008 7:56 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Diana,

Thinking and prayng for you. I think that you are the model example of patience for all of us wives here, although it probably does not feel that way for you. My husband is very determined in his own way too - I don't know how I would go if we disagreed on anything like this, but I would hope that I would be able to provide as much love and support as you do, in the same way, regardless of what he decides in the future. Letting people manage their own lives, health and treatment (or non treatment) options with love and support is the greatest gift you can give someone else. I agree with Susan however - with patience and respect for his wishes, he may indeed change his mind. We will certainly pray for the best for both of you. Lana
Creed_three (Lana & CJ)
 
Husband CJ aged 50 yrs (49 years at diagnosis and surgery)
PSA (2002) 2.1.  PSA (2006) 3.5.  1 x (5%) core of 12 positive at biopsy. 11 cores negative. Open Radical Prostatectomy with nerve sparing, on 17th April 2007 (Sydney, Australia).
Gleeson 3 + 4 = 7.  Cancer confined. 1st PSA 0.01 (June 07) 2nd PSA 0.02 (Oct 07) undetectable. 3rd PSA 0.02 (April 08) undetectable.

Posted 4/30/2008 10:12 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all so very much for your replies, prayers and well wishes. I continue to hope he will change his mind but if he dosen't I also understand due to his previous surgeries. I too don't know how I would feel if I were in his situation. I continue to pray for all the members here and thank you all for your support.

Diana

Rick & Diana
Age 68/ 67@ Dx
6-30-06  PSA 2.54
1-22-07  PSA 4.98
1-26-07  PSA 5.09
Diag: 2-14-07 Gleason 8 Stage T1c PSA 5.09
Bone Scan 3-1-07 Clear
3-6-07 Triple Spinal Fusion (due to old back injury)
Radical retropubic surgery 4-2-07  Post surgery Gleason 9 Stage T3a Positive margins
4-29-07 PSA 0.02
6-9-07   PSA 0.02
7-6-07   PSA 0.03
8-1-07   CT Scan & Chest X-Ray   Clean
 9-26-2007 PSA 0.07
11/1/07 PSA 0.1
11/30/07 PSA 0.12
01/31/2008 PSA 0.3
03/01/2008 PSA 0.3
04/28/08 PSA 0.6

Posted 5/1/2008 7:12 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Diana,

I (and probably all our members here) know and can share the feeling and anxiety of waiting for the result of any test. I wish you and Rick all the best.

Also I wanted to thank you for your kind words on the other thread concerning Salty’s surgery.

 

Kris


Biopsy done 3/2008
Pathology report: Gleason 6 (3+3), involving left lobe
DRE=15gm with indurated left base and mid prostate
Cores positive: left base medial, left base lateral, left mid medial and left mid lateral (4 of 12)
Clinical stage t2b.
Prostate Carcinorna 185
DaVinci Surgery on 4/21/2008 in Austin by Dr Randy Fagin.
Pathologist report upgraded to a Gleason 7 (3+4)
Clinical stage upgraded also to a T3a
Margin Clear

Post Edited (KrisP) : 5/1/2008 7:07:57 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/1/2008 8:32 AM (GMT -6)
Diana,
 
I really admire you ability to understand and respect Rick's decision. His decision may change and it may not. My personal experience on the matter is that most people make the right decision for them when left alone to actually make his/her own. We love our family so much that we only want what's best for "us" too often in this world. It's a human response to wear our hearts on our sleeve.  
You have some serious courage...
 
God Bless,  Vickie
 

Posted 5/2/2008 11:14 PM (GMT -6)

Hey ~ Diana,

 

Your #’s above are correct… it does get a little confusing… doesn’t it!

0.3 and 0.30 are the same (30 pennies) and now the reading is

0.6 (60 pennies)…

 

Read and re-read the postings above ~ and pull the strength that is there for you.

We continue to keep you close ~ and I hope you feel the love that surrounds both of you!

 

When your stepping-stone gets a little too wobbly for you ~ reach out and know that Helping Hands are reaching back to you.   In many different ways…

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

 

 

Hey ~ Rick,

Just a little note to let you know we care about you! and we're here for you and Diana...

Special Hugs coming to both of you from the "3 of Us"

Lee, Buddy, & Murphy too!

 

 

Posted 5/4/2008 10:59 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Diana and Rick,

Much prayers for hope and comfort to both of you!

Kind regards,

Barry ~ (a.k.a. "Idaho") - Prostate Cancer Forum Moderator

 

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

1st PSA  09/11/2007  <0.04 (undetectable)

2nd PSA 12/10/2007  <0.04

3rd PSA  03/17/2008  <0.04

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

Posted 5/4/2008 11:21 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Rick and Diana,
Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. We hope it turns out well for you. I am 1 week out from my first post-op PSA so I know about the anxiety and fear you must be experiencing.

God Bless,

Joe and Carol
Age 65
Diagnosed 10/12/07
PSA 6.3
Biopsy 18 core samples, 2 positive <5%
Stage T1a Gleason 6 (3+3)
LRP  1/29/08
Post-op
Gleason 7 (3+4)
1 positive margin (.3cm)
T2C 

Posted 5/4/2008 11:24 PM (GMT -6)
In thinking about what I would do should my PSA start rising post-op, I found this:
 
It also seems that rising PSA is by no means a death sentence. Radiation can still effect a cure, and that together with hormone therapy can keep PCa at bay for many years. They say, long enough for you to die of something else. So with that in mind, I have decided not to stress out over future PSA tests. Let's see if that works in practice.... :-)
 
Does Rick have a plan? -- is he waiting his PSA reaches a certain level, or is he planning no further treatment, period?  As others here have said, it is a personal decision, dependent on many factors. I think it a good idea to try to persuade Rick to make a plan -- even if it is a "do nothing" option.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Age 63. Other than cancer, in good health
Left hemi-colectomy April 2006 (colon cancer)
PSA 5.7, Gleason 4+5=9
RRP 7 March 2008, non nerve sparing
Histology showed clear margins and lymph nodes
Two nights in hospital
Catheter and staples out after 7 days
Continent, no pads needed from the get-go
No erections (of course!)
Experimenting with VED and Bimix
 

Posted 5/10/2008 11:57 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Everyone!!!!

Thank you all again for your replies. We had a visit with the oncologist and she suggested to Rick that he start thinking about hormone therapy but when she looked further in his file she said she had to warn us about hormone therapy with his heart problems. She said that it could increase his risk of having a heart attack. Needless to say when we left Rick said "See I told You NO MORE TREATMENT!!!!! " I asked about radiation but his Dr. feels that with a Gleason 9 it probally is not a good idea.

I think at this point I have to accept that we are doing post operative watchful waiting. This is hard for me to accept because by nature I am a problem solver and I can't solve this one without his help. I have assured him I will love and care for him no matter what he decides to do even if it is nothing.

Thank you again for your warm words & well wishes, it truly helps.

Diana

Rick & Diana
Age 68/ 67@ Dx
6-30-06  PSA 2.54
1-22-07  PSA 4.98
1-26-07  PSA 5.09
Diag: 2-14-07 Gleason 8 Stage T1c PSA 5.09
Bone Scan 3-1-07 Clear
3-6-07 Triple Spinal Fusion (due to old back injury)
Radical retropubic surgery 4-2-07  Post surgery Gleason 9 Stage T3a Positive margins
4-29-07 PSA 0.02
6-9-07   PSA 0.02
7-6-07   PSA 0.03
8-1-07   CT Scan & Chest X-Ray   Clean
 9-26-2007 PSA 0.07
11/1/07 PSA 0.1
11/30/07 PSA 0.12
01/31/2008 PSA 0.3
03/01/2008 PSA 0.3
04/28/08 PSA 0.6

Posted 5/11/2008 11:41 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Diana,
 
Such disheartening news. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
 
I have one idea that may be of interest to you. Although there isn't a ton of evidence, I see the potential in the chemo prevention properties of Modified Citrus Pectin. What I have read in PubMed and LEF, is promising. Paul used it for about 18 months post-op as a precaution at his Physician's request. There is enough evidence to warrent funding for more research into citrus pectin's ability to attach to cancer cells. It's one of those can't hurt, might help things. Just thought I'd mention it. Good luck and you two hang in there.
 
Hygs,  Swim
 

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