First Post-Op PSA readout-Questions for the urologist?

I'm coming up on my first post-op PSA. Hoping for zeros. Just wondering what other questions I should be asking my urologist?

Post Edited () : 3/13/2007 1:12:00 PM (GMT-6)

Hi DAVE:  Sounds like you will be fine!!  I'm glad you waited at least six weeks for the first post-op PSA.  They did mine only four weeks after surgery, because that's what my surgeon wanted.  But my local urologist, who drew the blood, cautioned that PSA has a half life of 18 days or so, and I might expect some detecable level of PSA, in which case they would have to redo the test four weeks later.  Thank God, it was undetecable. I've talked to guys who are from three, to six to 15 years out of surgery and without exception, they all sweated out those first few post-op PSA tests.  Without exception, they don't worry any more, God bless them. So if you're a little nervous, don't feel alone.  For me, the anxiety was right up there with waiting on the results of my biopsy, and my immediate post-surgery report and the surgical pathology report.  The "waiting game" sucks and the first PSA is nerve-wracking because it confirms that all the effort you put into in your treatment was worth it. Try to relax.  We all look forward to hearing the good news!!! 54 years old PSA = First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1 DRE: Negative Biopsy results 11/22/06 (6 out of 8 cores positive), both lobes, 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. First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

Hey Dave,

The first PSA is scary. I slept like a baby on the night before surgery but was up most of the night before my first test. After the visit I felt like I was REALLY on the road to recovery and had crossed the bridge.

Here's hoping and praying for a big ZERO for you!

Jim

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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

Hey Dave,

Good luck Tuesday on your 1st PSA. We all sweat that out so we are all pulling for you...

Jim

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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

Hi Dave,   We are so happy     you started your 1st thread…..   We have wanted to send a special “Welcome” for weeks now…but you never had your own thread… And now your 1 st PSA is here…   Today while sending special little notes to those having psa's, surgery, treatments, and biopsies this week I started looking for a thread started by you.....  Couldn't find one..    So ~ we stopped for an afternoon nap, then supper, and when I signed back on ~ There you were!!!! Yippppeeeeee….                We  are so happy now!!!   There were several Dave’s that came onboard around the same time (pcdave, Dave57, Dave5123 and you!! <Dave>) and b ack several weeks ago… we invited <Dave> & big ED to start their own threads and never saw one!   You’ve replied to over 48 postings.    So we are Thrilled to have you onboard with your first one.       So ~ now we know where we can put our special messages to you!!!!!   This is perfect!!!!       Dave  ~   Just a little note to let you know ~ we are…                     Thinking of “You”                                  while you wait for your 1 st PSA…. Keeping you extra close in thoughts and prayers!   We had our 2 nd one in February… Had blood drawn on Tuesday and was told we would hear on Friday.   Nada… had to wait till Monday. Believe it or not we were both fine up until Friday at 3:00 when we finally called them and they had gone for the day.   So ~ yes.. even though the mind set was very positive… there’s always that little dark cloud that likes to “try” and sneak in to cover the beautiful sunshine.   We will continue to enjoy your thoughtful postings in the future.   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Hi! Dave ~ You feel our prayers and they will add to your strength.   Thank you for your kind words  This is what Caring is all about … Sharing!                       “God Bless You”     It's a little prayer   ~   "God BlessYou"   ...but it means so much each day,   It means may angels guard you    and guide you on your  way.                                                                         Author unknown mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina Link to our personal journey…>>>      Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision" PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Hey Dave,

We love those undetectables! Now you and I can wait for our second post-op PSA together!

Nice going...

Jim

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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 54 years old PSA = First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1 DRE: Negative Biopsy results 11/22/06 (6 out of 8 cores positive), both lobes, 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. First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07