PSA anxiety setting in

I'm going for my 3 months interval PSA test (8 months post surgery) tomorrow. For some reason I have more anxiety this time around than my previous 2 PSA tests. I don't feel very positive about it this time. I was hoping that PSA tests get less stressful as time goes on but, that doesn't seem to be the case for me.

---

Age: 67 at Dx on 12/30/08
PSA 9/05 1.15; 8/06 1.45; 12/07 2.41; 8/08 3.9; 11/08 3.5 free PSA 11%
2 cores out of 12 were positive Gleason (4+4) and (4+5)
Negative CT scan and bone scan done on 1/16
Robotic surgery performed 2/9/09 Dr Fagin, Austin TX
Pathology report:
Prostate weighed 57 grams size:5.2 x 5.0 x 4.9 cm
Posterior lateral lesions measuring 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.0 cm showing focal capsular penetration over a distance of 3mm.
Prostatic adenocarciroma accounts for approx. 10-20% of the hemisphere.
Gleason 4+4
both nerve bundles removed,
pT3a Nx Mx, Negative margins
seminal vesicles clean, lymph nodes: not dissected
continent after 4 months
8 weeks PSA test 4/7/09 result <0.1
5 months PSA test 7/9/09 result <0.1

Ed...I'm betting your score will always be a no good for nuttin ZERO kind of score.

---

Age 54   - 5'11"   205lbs

Overall Heath Condition - Good

PSA - July 2007 & Jan 2008 -> 1.3

Biopsy - 03/04/08 -> Gleason 6 

06/25/08 - Da Vinci robotic laparoscopy

05/14/09  - 4th Quarter PSA -> less then .01

Surgeon - Keith A. Waguespack, M.D.

EdC,

Once you get PC, not sure one ever just blinks off with an upcoming PSA test. I am hoping you continue with ease in the Zero Club, you have done so well, so far.

The ill feelings are all too normal when you are in this journey. Kind of keeps you on guard, whether you want to or not. Good luck, and looking for another good test result from you.

David in SC

---

Age: 57, 56 dx, PSA: 7/07 5.8, 7/08 12.3, 9/08 14.5, 10/08 16.3
3rd Biopsy: 9/08 - 7/7 Positive, 40-90% Cancer, Gleason 4+3
Open RP: 11/08, Rht nerves saved, 4 days in hospt, on catheters for 63 days, 5th one out 1/09
Path Rpt: Gleason 3+4, pT2c, 42g, 20% cancer, 1 pos margin
Post Surgery  PSA: 2/09 .05,5/09 .1, 6/09 .11. 8/09 .16
Latest: 7/09 met 2 rad. oncl, 7/09 cath #6 - blockage, 8/9 2nd corr surgery, 8/9 cath #7 - out  38 days, 9/14/9 - met 3rd rad. oncl.agree to start radiation, mapping on 9/21/9, 9/24 - mtg with uro/surg, 9/29- pre-op, 10/1 - 3rd corr. surgery - suprapubic cath/hard dialation, 10/5 - first treatment IMRT.

Greetings, Ed.  Just had my 7th 90 day PSA post surgery.  I would say that they still create some anxiety, but it gets progressively better.  I am down to only getting a little nervous when I get to the doctors office.  It started out as getting anxious the week of the test, then the day before the test, then the morning of the test and now I'm down to just when I'm there.  It is a long 20 minutes from the time they draw the blood til they hand me the slip that says zero.  I do remain grateful to my doc for doing the test immediately - don't think I could wait days or a week after blood is drawn to get the results. 

I'm confident you will stay with us here in the zero club.  We need to keep our membership up!  Look forward to hearing good news!  David

---

Diagnosed Dec 2007 during annual routine physical at age 55

PSA doubled from previous year from 1.5 to 3.2

12 biopsies - 2 pos; 2 marginal

Gleason 3+3; upgraded to 4+3 post surgery

RRP 4 Feb 08; both nerves spared

Good pathology - no margins - all encapsulated

Catheter out Feb 13 - pad free Feb 16

PSA every 90 days - ZERO's everytime!

Great wife and family who take very good care of me

I've had about 7 or 8 PSA tests since surgery. Like CPA, it does get better. I still worry but most of it is the morning of the test and the 20 minutes waiting. I try to worry about tomorrow... tomorrow but I still worry.... Hang in there and try to do something fun to take your mind off of the test.

---

 

Age 49

occupation accountant

PSA increased from 2.6 to 3.5 in one year

biopsy march 2008 - cancer present gleason 7

Robotic Surgery May 9, 2008 - houston, tx

Pathology report -gleason 8, clear margins

12 month  PSA <.04 (low as the machine will go)

continent at 10 weeks (no pads!)

ED is still an issue but getting better

Thank you all for your encouragement and support. This morning when I woke up, I was so nervous about tomorrow's PSA test that I had a strong cup of coffee something I had stopped since my surgery.
Fortunately, I had a church golf tournament in the afternoon and that took my mind off it. Now, watching the football game while I type is also helping. I will say a prayer before going to sleep and leave everything in the Lord's hand.

---

Age: 67 at Dx on 12/30/08
PSA 9/05 1.15; 8/06 1.45; 12/07 2.41; 8/08 3.9; 11/08 3.5 free PSA 11%
2 cores out of 12 were positive Gleason (4+4) and (4+5)
Negative CT scan and bone scan done on 1/16
Robotic surgery performed 2/9/09 Dr Fagin, Austin TX
Pathology report:
Prostate weighed 57 grams size:5.2 x 5.0 x 4.9 cm
Posterior lateral lesions measuring 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.0 cm showing focal capsular penetration over a distance of 3mm.
Prostatic adenocarciroma accounts for approx. 10-20% of the hemisphere.
Gleason 4+4
both nerve bundles removed,
pT3a Nx Mx, Negative margins
seminal vesicles clean, lymph nodes: not dissected
continent after 4 months
8 weeks PSA test 4/7/09 result <0.1
5 months PSA test 7/9/09 result <0.1

I share the mood with ya. My first test post HT is Wednesday. I'm not really nervous, but it's on my mind. I think you will do well. I think we both will...

21-14 Vikes so far...

Tony

---

 Age 47 (44 when Dx)

Pre-op PSA was 19.8 : Surgery at The City of Hope on February 16, 2007

Gleason 4+3=7, Stage pT3b, N0, Mx

Positive Margins (PM), Extra Prostatic Extension (EPE) : Bilateral Seminal vesicle invasion (SVI)

HT began in May, '07 with Lupron and Casodex 50mg (2 Year ADT)

IMRT radiation for 38 Treatments ending August 3, '07

Current PSA (May 11, 2009): <0.1

My Journal is at Tony's Blog  

My InfoLink page is at Tony's Prostate Cancer InfoLink Page

STAY POSITIVE!