PSA still at ZERO!

I just got my latest PSA test 5 1/2 years since my surgery & five years since my radiation & it is still zero, for which I thank God!

PSA

I am thankful to report that as of now, my PSA is still at zero, for which I thank God!

September 15, 2010 Follow up

I had appointments with both my oncologist & radiologist this week.  My PSA is still zero & my testosterone is increasing after stopping hormone therapy in December of last year. These are good things & I am grateful for the results.  I have to have my PSA checked every 3 months & plan to meet my oncologist in 6 months.

The only side affects I have are having diarrhea more often and more fatigue.  I take a nap more days than not.  I was able to go on a 4-hour hike a few days ago though, with no problem.

Follow Up

I just returned from an appointment with my urologist/oncologist. He said that he was happy that my PSA was at zero. I was glad I did not need another hormone injection! I continue to get hot flashes from them.

I was told if I do not start producing testosterone on my own within 7 months, I will need testosterone injections, as without it, though it is good at keeping the cancer in check, the lack of testosterone could result in diabetes or heart disease!

He said I should get my PSA and testosterone tested again in 3 months. I am thankful it went as well as it did!

PSA

I just got the results of my latest PSA test which was at "zero", for which I thank God, but my radiologist suggests I get my first colonoscopy. Lord have mercy! I was getting more of my energy back, but it seems I have more bouts with fatigue again. I am also anemic from the radiation & have been taking iron hoping to alleviate the anemia and the fatigue.

Three Weeks Later

It has been about three weeks since my last radiation session. Most of the hair fell out where the radiation was aimed, but at least not on my head! I have felt very fatigued, but have felt some of my strength returning. My regular doctor told me I am anemic from the radiation & suggested I start taking an iron supplement. He was surprised the radiologist had not mentioned this when he remarked that I was anemic as well (The radiologist said he thought it was possibly from the surgery last March). I am also still in need of taking medication for the diarrhea, but that is not as bad as it was either. How wonderful it is to not be going to radiation 5 days a week!

Now the bills are starting to come in...

My LAST Session!

Finally! My 37th tomo radiation treatments are history! The time did not fly by at all. The worst part of it was not the actual radiation, but the monotony of the average three hours of my day (with transportation) that was dedicated to the treatments. The side effects were not too bad. The radiologist told me today that they should be gone in about a week & the fatigue in about 2 weeks. I have really felt worn out the past couple of weeks. At least it did not begin when I started.

I think it helped to silently pray for the other patients in the waiting room each day while I waited for my turn. It is good to get your focus off yourself & your own problems. I saw a lot of patients in a lot worse shape than me and who were going through both chemo and radiation.

One thing I found that in the beginning, for the most part, as friends & family find out about your cancer & treatment you hear from them a lot. As time goes on & you are still in treatment, you hear less and less. You have to realize life goes on & does not revolve around you & your illness even as you face it daily. You just have to pray every day for an extra dose of God's grace.

I got a $50,000. bill from November's treatments today of which I am only responsible for $270. of it! Thank God I have health insurance!

I will need follow up in three months, which I think will be to see if my PSA is still at or near zero. How I pray it is the end of it! I can not allow my mind to run ahead of me, but must make the most of each day God has given me. I pray that as I enter 2010 in a few days, I will enter it cancer-free!

I plan to spend New Year's Eve with the bus driver and his family who took me to & from treatment almost every day who is now a new friend. I'll have to take a nap, of course!