Been Jabbing for 13 Years… Then Came the Left Hook!

Diseases & Conditions Prostate Cancer
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Been Jabbing for 13 Years… Then Came the Left Hook!
For 13 years, I thought I had successfully stayed out of range. After my prostatectomy and radiation, my PSA remained undetectable at <0.02 year after year. I honestly didn’t expect to get caught by a left hook.
At my annual physical on 3/18/26, my PSA came back at 5.7. My primary care doctor ordered a repeat test, and it had climbed to 9.7.
My annual appointment with my urologist is usually in August, but because of these results, it’s been moved up to later this week.
Cancer may have brought me to my knees this round, but it didn’t knock me out.
Every battle I’ve fought over these past 13 years has been worth it because I’ve been blessed with something priceless—the chance to watch a grandchild come into this world. That’s a gift cancer can never take away.
As I prepare for this next round, I wanted to thank everyone on this forum. Your knowledge, encouragement, and willingness to share your own journeys have helped more people than you probably realize. Thank you for being here through the years.
The bell has rung again. Time to get back in the ring.
Profile update:
PSA: 0.01 7/15
0.02 7/16 thru 3/26
5.7 3/26
9.7 7/26
50 years old - Diagnosed on 9/11/13
PSA: 12.8
Gleason score: 3+4=7
Margins: Positive 0.2mm
Seminal vesicle invasion: Positive Left seminal vesicle
Bone and CT scan: Neg
Stage: pT3b pN0
Radical Prostatectomy Surgery:10/30/13
Post-surgery PSA low of 0.01
Radiation treatment: 1/13/14 (38 treatments)
Adjunctive Therapy: Lupron HT 1/4/2014 (6 months)
ED-Trimix
PSA: 0.01 7/15/15

Post Edited (coolergw) : 7/15/2026 4:29:36 AM (GMT-4)

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Hi Cooler, sorry for the bad news. Your next treatment may be out of the range of what your urologist can do. Hopefully he/she will refer you to a prostate oncologist for you next step. Please let us know how you're doing after your appointment.

Best of luck,

Jim
Forum Moderator-Prostate Cancer. Age 62 (80 now). G 3 + 4 = 7, T1C, PSA 4.2, 2/16 cancerous, 27cc. Brachytherapy 12/9/08. 73 Iodine-125 seeds. Everything continues to function normally. PSA: 6 mo: 1.4, 1 yr: 1.0, 2 yr: .8, 3 yr: .5, 4/5 yr: .2, 6-15 yr: <1. My docs are "delighted"! My journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643&g=1305643#m1
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So in the 10 years you have been undetectable one thing that has changed is the use of psma pet to find more of the little ******s then previously possible.

So while you are looking for an oncologist get the psma pet going with your urologist or primary so you have that information sooner rather than later. I would also get the psma pet before you start any hormone therapy.
Age 52 7/2019, PSA 5.5
Biopsy 4/12 positive, G8
RALP 10/2019 G9 (4+5). SVI- EPE+ Clean margins. 9 nodes clean.
3/20 IMRT 68 Gy (during Covid) 1/20--7/20 Lupron
PSA: 11/19: 0.10, 1/20:0.11, 8/20: <0.02, 1/21: <0.02, 4/21: 0.07, 7/21 0.18, 9/21 0.3, 11/21 0.48, 2/22 0.56, 5/22 0.74, 8/22 1.01, 11/22 1.36, 2/23 1.87
8/22 and 2/23 Psma Pet: met(s) in lung
4/23 lupron, xtandi psa<0.04
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I would second Stephen S —. PSMA PET advisable at this point. A very important gain in the past 10 years. Best wishes… Bill
Age 82 Gleason 8
Surgery ‘09
Move case to MSK ‘11
July '22 PET F-18; one met near rectum. SBRT.
Jan ‘23 PSA 11.4
Feb ‘23 PET Gallium. Clean.
April ‘23. PSA 18.6. New round ADT
Nov ‘23 PSA .19. Pause
June ‘24 PSA 10.3 . XTANDI mono.
March ‘25 Pause
August ‘25 PSA 16.1 XTANDI mono.
May ‘26 PSA 2.53. PSMA PET — avid nodes around the rectum. Added ADT to XTANDI.
Bone & organs still clean.
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Thanks for the advice all everyone. I’ll update my journey.
50 years old - Diagnosed on 9/11/13
PSA: 12.8
Gleason score: 3+4=7
Margins: Positive 0.2mm
Seminal vesicle invasion: Positive Left seminal vesicle
Bone and CT scan: Neg
Stage: pT3b pN0
Radical Prostatectomy Surgery:10/30/13
Post-surgery PSA low of 0.01
Radiation treatment: 1/13/14 (38 treatments)
Adjunctive Therapy: Lupron HT (6 months)
PSA: 0.01 7/15
0.02 7/16 thru 3/26
5.7 3/26
9.7 7/26
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Hello, Coolergw ~

With everything within me, I want to share my encouragement with you.

I was diagnosed back in 2013, with a case with complexities.

I have continued to work full-time as an educator & I stay active.

Along the way, there have been setbacks.

When those have occurred, it can leave a fellow reeling.

It can feel like you got punched in the gut, with unexpected news.

That being said, align yourself with a top-notch oncologist. Seek the best. If that means a bit of travel, pursue it. Folks travel far for sporting events & rock concerts. Put your health in the forefront, and consult with a top-notch oncologist.

In my case, I visit Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where I consult with Dr. Eugene Kwon. His expertise is legendary.

There's no substitute for having a top-notch oncologist on your medical team.

If there's one thing I have learned, over the course of my treatments, it is this:

"Do NOT ever underestimate the power of modern technology & current treatments!"

There are new treatments that have emerged in the past decade that have transformed the treatment landscape.

I wanted to share a message of hope with you today.

I send to you my supportive thoughts & want to let you know that we are all here to encourage you.

In fellowship,

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
PSA At Diagnosis In Year 2013 : 138
Initial Diagnosis: Advanced Prostate Cancer, With Metastases In Both Lungs
Age At Diagnosis: 48 years
ADT Treatments: LUPRON, FIRMAGON, & currently ZOLADEX
Subsequent Treatments: Chemotherapy (TAXOTERE) & ZYTIGA & RADIATION
Additional Consultant - Dr. KWON - Mayo Clinic
Current PSA Level: < 0.10 - Undetectable Range - Treatments Ongoing
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Cyclone,

Thank you for your "message of hope" to Coolergw is a message of hope to all of us who have been diagnosed with PCa and the family members and friends of those who have been diagnosed who are members here. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Ron aka: Boomer
72 Y.O.;DX 11/21 Gleason 4+3=7,R Base 80% involved,R mid 1% involved, R Apex,L Base, mid, Apex Benign;3/22 JHU upgraded to 4+5=9;21 Mo.ADT2 started 2/22;PSA:7/20 4.34,8/21 5.86,10/21 6.70,3/22 3.24,5/22 0.67,11/22 <0.06; 04/23 <0.06; 11/23 <0.06;2/24 <0.06;6/22-8/22 IMRT 25 fractions 160 cGy prostate bed,19 fractions 180 cGy Prostate;11/23 DC Lupron