Hi, this is my first post although I have to say I’ve been lurking on the forum for the last month since everything started happening. I must have read every single post by now.
My Dad (71) had a PSA test done recently and the result came back as 55. That kicked off what has really been the worst month of my life (so far - and I’m terrified that it’s only going to get worse). To date he’s also had an abnormal DRE, a bone scan (mostly clear but some areas they want to look at with a pet scan), and he’s had his biopsy but we haven’t had the results yet. No idea when we will get them. Not heard about the pet scan yet. I just can’t believe this is happening. I am absolutely sick with worry and feel like life has gone over a cliff. I understand that he almost certainly has cancer, I’ve got my head around that sort of. But I am so scared that it’s going to turn out to be metastatic. From what I’ve heard, with a PSA that high it’s likely that there are at least micro mets?! I know there’s a few people on the forum who haven’t had that but they seem like the exception… I just don’t know how to cope with what’s happening, and the fact that life has changed irreversibly.
Hello WorriedSick17
A warm welcome to the group - although I am so sorry to find you joining us. You are not the only "lurker" the number of page views we have, where people suck off information but never post is astounding.
As you are aware the diagnostic process is the hardest part of the journey and once all the results are in, a full diagnosis has been made and a treatment plan made life will settle down. 98% of men with a Prostate Cancer diagnosis die WITH it not OF it and there are plenty of "tools in the toolbox".
Yes a PSA of 55 is highly likely to return a metastatic diagnosis and yes I am one of those with a high initial PSA (182) with no spread (full story is in my profile - click on my name or avatar for details).
It's easy for me to say - try and keep dad as fit as possible and what ever the diagnosis it's very TREATABLE - we have Community members here with a Stage 4 diagnosis they received over 10 years ago and remember treatments are improving all the time.
There's a vast amount of knowledge on the group and we are all here for mutual support - stick with us - ask questions and honest - life will get back to the "new normal".
Best wishes - Brian.
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