I presented to my GP with an infection gained from surfing (pollution) That was cleared up but my GP dug a bit deeper and asked about family history (he was being thorough) so he initiated a PSA test, this came back 4.6 and he recommended a consultation due to family history and the fact the reading was above the threshold for my age. My consultant asked me to have a biopsy, this came back reporting no cancer, but he was concerned that something had be literally missed so he sent me for a transperenial template biopsy (ouch) This came back positive 3+3=6 eight of fifteen cores on the left, right side clear.
I was advised to go for RP because of my age and the good chance of a cure. At this point I have to say my father died with prostate cancer (not because) at 88 but his twin died from aggressive PC at 65.
RP was fairly straight forward, initial incontinence but passed quickly. ED of course. My pathology was excellent, clear margins clear nodes, no evidence of any spread. Good news. Gleason upgraded to 3+4=7 though.
PSA returned to undetectable (less than 0.03) and I was just to undergo regular testing, more good news. I believed I had been cured....
34 months later my blood test showed 0.08 (argghh recurrence) followed by 0.05, 0.07, 0.06, 0.10 over the following 8 months.
My onco strongly suggested RT and offered hormone therapy alongside but I opted out of the hormone ... 7 weeks of RT my 6 week test came back 0.06 and then 0.00 for 11 months. RT was tiring but my side effects didn't worsen besides my bowel being a bit unpredictable. Continent and with sensation still in the old fella!
Latest news, bit fed up, my latest PSA has come back 0.04, very low I know but I kind of know it's back...I've thrown everything at this but it seems its to become a chronic illness, I can only hope given my numbers that the progress will be slow. Anyone out there with a similar experience?
I have another PSA test on Monday (12th August 19) I shall report back.
Had my latest blood test today. Unfortunately my PSA returned in June, 10 months after salvation RT. Today's test has shown another small increase to 0.06. This is eight weeks after 0.04. The upward trend is established but I hope it's going to be slow. 5 years into this journey.
Since my last post I have been having six monthly PSA tests. On the 7th Feb 2020 my PSA rose to 0.1, (from 0.06 in August 2019) this worried me because there appeared to be a slow but steady rise following my salvation radiotherapy. I undertook some counselling with Macmillan, the PSA tests and the rising results after RP then RT were causing me considerable anxiety. I must add at this point that both my father and his twin had PC. My Dad died with it at 88 but his twin died from it at 65. The counselling was very helpful and I took the decision to continue with 6 monthly tests to try and have a break from the testing regime.
I had another test early August 2020 and my PSA remained at 0.1. I was so relieved to see this number! It's strange how small numbers can have a big effect on your mental well being. I'm hoping that maybe the rise is going to be slow and I can keep opting for longer periods between tests. I've always lived for the day, but this is now my mantra.
Adrian
A year on from my previous PSA of 0.1 I had a blood test yesterday (7th July 21) and was dismayed to see it had risen to 0.3. I decided to wait a year for my next test partly because of COVID and partly because I felt I needed some time away from PSA anxiety. So I've lurched through official BCR. I'm going to have a video consultation with my Onco in approx four weeks, I have questions I need to ask. You simply never know with this disease what's coming next, but I am now firmly on the road to further treatment.
Feel a bit low today
Adrian
So to update after over a year... My PSA is now 0.36 it's been meandering over the year but I am encouraged by the slow trend upward. I had a PSMA scan December 21 and it didn't show any areas of interest which was a relief!
I have another PSA test soon so I will post the result. My oncologist says it's clear that I have some active cancer cells somewhere but it simply can't be seen at the moment so it's not possible to draw any conclusions or start any treatment.
The rollercoaster continues..In the meantime I'm wasting no time because I'm a fit and active 60 year old, still working hard and still surfing!
Take care all
Adrian
Brief update... my PSA continues to meander on a slow upward gradien. Slow is the key atm, my Onco is happy to watch and wait for now. Having said that he did send me for a PMSA scan and a bowel scan recently after my bowel issues got a bit worse. Nothing to report from the endoscopy other than mild to moderate radiation proctitis. The PMSA scan revealed nothing... he said if there was sufficient evidence from that scan they could have chosen a treatment pathway but until theres something to see it's difficult to treat. I clearly have recurrence after the two primary treatments but it is a slow burner. Quality of life is important to me so I'm happy with no treatment atm.
Happy and healthy, currently enjoying a six week camper touring holiday in Western Europe, surfing, hiking and enjoying the great food and weather. Life is for living not worrying!
Adrian's e-mail address is: adrianbrough AT aol.com (replace "AT" with "@")
