PSA rise

Didn’t they mention treatment with curative intent?

Did they give you a life expectancy?

When you say deep into the pelvic lymph nodes, do still mean localised? 

I’m in a similar position, so I would be interested in hearing about any information you have.

Hello Spud (Spuduknow) 

I am so sorry to read about the rough time you are having. Yes, a PSA of 0.07 is still considered undetectable (most health authorities consider below 0.1 undetectable).

I would be asking your oncologist something along the lines of:

* My PSA is rising, therefore i assume there is active cancer - I know a PSMA-PET scan would be ineffective at the moment (you need a PSA of 0.2 or above) how do we locate it?

* Am I going to have Radiotherapy for my spine pain?

* What medication can you prescribe for pain relief?

* I don't believe anyone can give a life expectancy and indeed I don't wish to know - however what I do need to know is what ongoing treatment do you propose long term?

* Apart from the obvious (exercise) is there anything I can do to relive the fatigue feeling?

* I have a specific night pain in my left leg - can we do anything to relieve this symptom?

I do hope the above helps - like you I am under The Christie and so far they have been fantastic with me, and sadly like you I have a rising PSA - so I am with you every step here.

Good luck tomorrow and do let us know how you get on.(Bob Marley was right in what he said!).

Kind Regards -Brian

Hi Spuduknow Spud,  I am intrigued like  Roger That  to know why you are not curable.  Your PSA looks remarkably low.  Fatigue seems to impact us all differently but exercise is the only way round it (but not excessively at first).  Good luck with the consultant.  David

I think Spud should have been told that he was being treated with curative intent, not written off just yet.

Hi Roger That,

I wasn’t given a choice of treatment I’m afraid, at the start of my appointment my oncologist said I was to hormone therapy for two years with radiotherapy.

After a few questions and my medical history she said that due to me having been through a lot medically that the plan was to change the and chemotherapy thrown in due to my high pain freshold.

Oncologist said that it would have everything thrown at it. 

My prognosis was to be 5-10 years and told “to just think of it in years”

I was also told”I will never tell you that you are cured.

As for today’s appointment it was nurse led but my oncologist was around.

The Jury is out as to if I am have a scan, so it’s watch this space.

I hope that this helps in some way.

Take care, I’m always here to chat...

Spud

”you don’t know how Strong you are,

 until being Strong is your only choice”

Bob Marley 

Hi Brian,

I agree re life expectancy.

Someone told me once that it’s all about how the treatment goes.

I am not sure yet if I am to have a scan.

The nurse who led my appointment was going back to the oncologist with all the details.

I get a lot of inspiration from a Kevin Webber, I read his book “dead man running”

He was given a two year terminal diagnosis and is still going strong ten years plus.

As always everyone during my treatment has been fantastic.

I broke down crying in the construction and the nurse was brilliant, seems ages since I had a good cry.

As always thank you Brian for never being far away, look after yourself.

Speak soon no dowt

Spud 

Hello Spud (Spuduknow) 

Thanks for the update - it will be interesting to see what comes next - please do let us know.

Sadly we all have a limited life expectancy, but we all do our best not to let prostate cancer shorten it and we all want our demise to be old age!!

I will have a look at that book you have recommended and hey, don't worry about a good cry - I can cry for England these days!!

Always around if you need to vent, have a chat or just to put the world to rights - life goes on a cancer doesn't rule mine!! (it does book me quite a few appointments!!).

Kind Regards - Brian.

Edit

I've just ordered the book - it sounds like a cracking read - Thanks - Brian.

Hi Spud, 

I wasn’t given a life expectancy but I was diagnosed three years ago and I’m not having another hormone injection in order to see if the cancer has just been suppressed, or gone for now.

At the moment my PSA is undetectable.