Prostate Cancer update

Q

QuickSilver

SF VIP
Location
Midwest
Not sure if you remember, but my hubby was diagnosed with prostate cancer last July. Because of the low grade and aggressiveness (genetic testing) we decided to continue on "Active Surveillance". Which means a DRE and PSA every three months.

Last August his PSA was 8.3... His latest drawn last week was 6.9. Which sounds good, but the August PSA was drawn at a different lab. The PSA prior in July was drawn at the same lab this latest one was and it was 5.4.. SO you could say it's gone up..... OR it's gone down.. Whatever, At least it's under that magic number of 10. The Doc said his prostate feels completely normal.. no changes. So we will wait until February for the next swing of Damocles' sword.. making sure we go to the same lab for the PSA
 

Amazing the differences in results from different labs. Thanks for the update QuickSilver, I was wondering how he was doing. It sounds very good to me. :)
 
PSA Uncertainties

QS, consider this, as it happened to me. My PSA has always, ever since first check about 20 years ago, been under 1.0. Usually 0.5, 0.4, etc. Year ago, experiencing symptoms of bladder infection, slight burning, milky colored urine, I went to the Dr. who gave me an antibiotic. Since it had been a year, they went ahead with the bloodletting for CBC and a PSA.

PSA came back at 6.4! Scared hell out of me. Researched Mayo website, they recommend ignoring PSA readings when infection is present. I called the doc: he agreed, PSA should have been postponed. Re-test two weeks later, PSA = 0.4.

So, various things affect the PSA other than presence of cancer cells. imp
 

imp said:
QS, consider this, as it happened to me. My PSA has always, ever since first check about 20 years ago, been under 1.0. Usually 0.5, 0.4, etc. Year ago, experiencing symptoms of bladder infection, slight burning, milky colored urine, I went to the Dr. who gave me an antibiotic. Since it had been a year, they went ahead with the bloodletting for CBC and a PSA.

PSA came back at 6.4! Scared hell out of me. Researched Mayo website, they recommend ignoring PSA readings when infection is present. I called the doc: he agreed, PSA should have been postponed. Re-test two weeks later, PSA = 0.4.

So, various things affect the PSA other than presence of cancer cells. imp
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Yes.. he was just recently treated for what could have been a UTI... some sort of urinary retention and some burning.. may have a bit of prostatitis in addition... February is going to be the litmus test IMO... another rise and he will be considering surgery.

This has been a daunting year for me... between my son's situation and hubby's cancer dx.. blows to HELL my theory that odd numbered years have always been good years... for me at least. Not this last one.
 
My doctor always told me that my PSA number had to be under a 4.0. He also said that he does not put a lot of stock into this number, except if it goes way off the chart. He didn't explain why he thinks that way. I had an Uncle that died from Prostate Cancer, (not an Uncle by blood), but he lived until 88. I can accept that. Only problem was that he was in some serious pain until the end. Hospice really helped him get through it and he died at home, which was his wish.
 
I've got a routine checkup (blood pee etc) coming up on the 16th and I'm pretty sure it's time for my yearly prostate exam and PSA........I'm so looking forward to it (NOT) I swear my doc has to have at least 12" long fingers.

As uncomfortable as it is for the checkee I'm pretty sure it ain't much fun for the checker either. :)
 
IKE said:
I've got a routine checkup (blood pee etc) coming up on the 16th and I'm pretty sure it's time for my yearly prostate exam and PSA........I'm so looking forward to it (NOT) I swear my doc has to have at least 12" long fingers.

As uncomfortable as it is for the checkee I'm pretty sure it ain't much fun for the checker either. :)
Click to expand...

I told my doctor one time that he didn't know how much I hate having this procedure done. He told me that it was no fun for him either. I then told him that I can believe that, but you know what they say, "It's better to give than to receive." I actually was able to get him to smile. The doctor that I had back then before he retired was all business. One of those guys that were old school. But, I loved him. He was a friend also and we would occasionally golf together. Now, he's retired and living in Florida and I don;t get to see him much.
 
A fella where I worked was going to have his first exam and was really nervous so naturally we were teasing him and trying to make him as scared as possible.

One fella said, "be sure he doesn't have both hands on your shoulders while checking you" and the guy said, "what do you mean ?"........we all cracked up.
 
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