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Does the waiting for results get easier?

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Posted 6/25/2008 7:49 AM (GMT -8)
I just got back from having the blood draw for my first post-op PSA. They told me it would take a "couple days" to get the results. You would think that since I have been through the "waiting for results" process so many times over the past several months- initial biopsy, post-surgical biopsy, etc. - that I would be used to this process. Yet, I'm still on "pins and needles" waiting for the phone to ring.

Does this waiting process get easier over time or will I just have to live with "periods of anxiety" into the future??
Posted 6/25/2008 7:54 AM (GMT -8)
Each one gets easier for me.  As you build a string of good results, you can see that the danger is receding with each one and can begin to relax. 

Posted 6/25/2008 8:22 AM (GMT -8)

Everyone is different. It seems for awhile we all adjust our life cycles around our testing or proceedures. Mine is every three weeks. Others are every 6 months or every year. It will get easier as time goes on. I don't know how to make it any easier or tell you what to do, other than to reach down deep within yourself and find that place of peace. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Remember that the numbers will get better with time.

Peace and love,

Walt

Posted 6/25/2008 11:06 AM (GMT -8)
I had blood drawn this morning and this time I'm going stir crazy.  The nurse always calls about 4 or 5 hours after I leave there with the results.  I never used to worry about them after about six months of good readings but my previous PSA was .7 up from .2 where it had been for over a year.  So I think while everyone is different the circumstances also play a part.  As it has already been stated get you a string of good results and it should ease a lot.  I must admit I'm sure glad I get mine back the same day.  Hang in there.
Posted 6/25/2008 11:57 AM (GMT -8)
Kark60,

Go with the advice these gentlemen are giving. I was in the same boat you are in now all of 8 months ago. After a few the waiting get's easier... and the next thing you know your approaching your one year anniversay.

Roger

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't really get you anywhere.”
Posted 6/25/2008 1:08 PM (GMT -8)
Yeah, the first couple psa tests after surgery were worse than waiting for the biopsy results. I was convinced, in my feeble mind, that they were stalling 'cause the results were bad. I was a wreck. The first test after surgery I couldn't stand the wait any longer and I called the hospital and the nurse said, "Yeah, I have your results but I can't give them to you. You have to wait for the doctor to call you." Then I was TOTALLY covinced that my life was ending and she just didn't want to be the one to spring the news. I called my regular doctor and begged him to get the results. He called me back within 10 minutes. <0.1 undetectable. They have been that way for nearly 3 years now. Whew!

The point is, the first wait was the worst, the subsequent ones get gradually easier but the apprehension will probably never dissappear entirely. Just rejoice in the "undetectables" when you get them!
Posted 6/25/2008 3:29 PM (GMT -8)
I think my husband would say the first one is the hardest. This is normal...I wish you peace and a zero.

Susan
Posted 6/25/2008 4:00 PM (GMT -8)
i had surgery on 5/9 and have had 2 post surgery psa's. one at 4 weeks and the other at 6 weeks. i was scared waiting on both. thank goodness my doctor's office can check the psa. i receive the results before i leave. i hope it gets better because i can't live my life on 3 month intervals waiting on test results. we all have come a long way and should be proud of the progress and hope all is for the best. i am trying not to worry. this is hard to do when it seems like my hobby is to worry about something..
Posted 6/25/2008 4:42 PM (GMT -8)

Hi Kark60,

As has been said, the first PSA is the worst.  When you have follow-up PSAs that are "good," you build up more confidence and fear is lessened.

Having said that, for my most recent (4th) PSA, I started worrying when my doctor didn't come into the room right away for my appointment.  I was the first patient, I could see her at the nurses desk before I went into the exam room.  So I expected her in the room right away.  She came in 10-15 minutes later, so my mind was wandering durng the wait.  When she came in, she didn't say anything at all about the PSA and discussed some of my other post-op challenges with me to see how I was doing.  A few minutes later, I finally asked about the PSA and she said "Yes... your PSA is great."  What a relief!

Since PCa is not like other cancers where you are pronounced "cured" after a short period such as 3-5 years.  I think we will all have the normal fears when we get the tests, but it does occupy less and less of your daily worries.

Posted 6/25/2008 5:02 PM (GMT -8)

It has become easier for me, but I was never really nuts about the waiting.  Anxious yes, but not crazy.  Less and less as time passes.  I put some effort into it, however.

Regards,

Bill

Posted 6/25/2008 5:43 PM (GMT -8)

I suffer big time PSA anxiety every time I go in....I'm on an every six month check, and I start to feel the butterflies about a month ahead.   I get the draw done a couple of days ahead of my visit so I can hear the result directly from my doctor.  I'm being treated for high blood pressure and its always really high when a I go in....  But that wonderful sense of relief when they give you the undectable reading is hard to beat.

I think we've all learned from our cancer experineces to not take the good in our life for granted.   PSA recurrence is not a death sentence...especially first go round after primary treatment where there's still a good shot of it being still localized or residual disease.  Having exhausted local treatment, I know a PSA recurrence for me at this time points more toward systematic disease... which probably is not curable -- BUT not neccessarily terminal either!

This thing IS going to be fully curable some day.... even if we get systematic recurrence, I'd be willing to bet that there are  many on this board who will live to see the day where we'll see that cure in action!   Keep the faith, borthers, keep the faith!  

Posted 6/25/2008 5:48 PM (GMT -8)
It never got easier for me! I use to start calling after 48 hours.
Luckily, now I got to a University Hospital (Kansas) and get PSA results in thirty minutes!!!
Posted 6/25/2008 6:08 PM (GMT -8)
My husband gets pains when he's getting close to his next Lupron shot and that freaked us out in the beginning. But getting great results and time certainly took away most of the anxiety. Furthermore, his primary doctor keeps a close eye on the PSA and sometimes includes when we have other blood work done so we're regularly updated. I guess the anxiety will increase once the numbers start going up. Dutchy
Posted 6/26/2008 3:32 AM (GMT -8)
The first year was the hardest and now that we're almost at the 2nd year mark, we still wonder what the results will be, but don't worry as much. But we do breath a sigh of relief when the results come back <0.1. I wish you a lifetime of zeroes!
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