I like good news

I'll keep it simple. PSA today was 0.846, so in the range I've been in since treatment, except for the hanky panky spike spring of 2021. And going to go off of Flomax and see how I do. If I get off of Flomax I will be medicine free, which as I approach 50 seems pretty cool. Have a wonderful Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

No hanky panky... before a PSA test

So after my December test and the enthusiasm of my doctors I had a pretty good run for three months. Then I went in to get another PSA, this time it came back 1.3. Uh oh, have I made a mistake? Was it aggressive and wasn't treated soon enough?

Well I spoke with the oncologist and she asked a few questions. Have you exercised beforehand? In the last 72 hours have you … hanky panky? The answer was yes to both. So they say you can see a little bit of a rise with either one of those, so we rescheduled for another PSA 4 weeks later.

1. No hanky panky 72 hours before test (I went with the over)

2. No heavy workouts. I stopped swimming for a week leading up

3. No trauma to the area, not sure why I would do this, but yeah didn't go any where to get racked

So basically I went relaxation.

So the day came and the results came back 1.0, so basically where I was when Emory was high fiving me. The doctor explained more that do not fret too much on the movement here and there, that in the same blood sample I could get a .9 or a 1.1 reading. It's more the steady rise and jumps they will look out for, and don't come back for 6 months!

So this journey has been amazing. Ups downs, side ways. As I keep moving along I will keep updating you on my progress.

December Blood Test

It has a year since my treatment ended. And I continue to believe I made the correct choice for my family and my health in getting Proton Therapy for my cancer. Everytime I visit Emory I have to fill out a questionnaire. Questions asking about peeing, pooping, and sex. Questions are rated on a scale of 0 to 5, 5 being the most severe. Once I'm done they add up my score. And they could not be happier with how low my scores are. I'm not at zero, but I'm close. I tend to pee twice in an hour sometimes, and as they evaluate my diet (coffee, water) that can cause that issue more than anything else. I have no symptoms that disrupt my daily life. Most ask how often do you get up at night to pee. Last night I was asleep by 9:00 and I was up at 5:00 to pee, so 8 hours of sleep with no issues. It has been great considering all that could have gone wrong. So in the last 18 months my PSA has gone from 3.9, to 1.2, to .96, .87, 1.0.

For those that have read the book, or experienced proton treatment there is a point where a bump may occur. As the doctor explained it will not always be the same, the number will move around a little bit. With my numbers being low and close together I am now moved to only having my test every six months.

So 18 months ago to now, it has been a crazy journey. I love you all and thank you. I look forward to updating everyone once there is more news.

September Blood Test Is In

In three months my PSA has dropped another point, to .868. I have the expression on my wife's face etched into my mind when I gave her the news. She continues to be a rock for me, and my biggest supporter.

9 months after treatment and I am constantly reminded of the experience I went through and what I continue to go through. Bob's book is a fixture on my desk. I have been fortunate to become an advisor for prospective patients for Proton Bob and Emory. 

December 8th I will have my 12 month appointment down at Emory. Cannot believe it has been almost a year since I started my treatment last October.

Have an awesome day!

Second Blood Test at 6 Months

.96

Does this mean I'm cured. Not so fast. Yes this news is awesome. I am still 4 1/2 years away from being what some would say cured.

Yesterday I flew down to Atlanta, during all this unpleasantness. It was awesome. Airports in Richmond and Atlanta were empty. On my return trip I had one person in front of me in the TSA pre check line. In the past it took me 30 minutes to get through.

I think tonight calls for a nice cocktail. Next PSA in three more months.

First blood test...

I had my first PSA blood test done on Thursday March 12th. I had to navigate past the Corona Virus hazmat suit block aid. After answering a few questions I was allowed in.

So Monday morning, March 16th I was able to pull up my patient portal. The results were posted. So after going from 2.2 in 2018, to 3.9 in 2019, on March 12th my PSA was 1.28.

Yes, I'm happy. Later in the morning Emory called and said it should stay there, maybe bounce around some over the first year, and may go even lower.

If the corona virus ever allows me to head down there I'll be able to meet with them again. So as of now all signs are good, just a few more years of watching and waiting.

First check up down ... several years to go

Went to Atlanta for a few hours yesterday for my one monthish check up. I've been back as long as it took to get my 28 treatments. Wow. So it was basic check up like I had every Tuesday I was there. Weight, blood pressure, temp, heart rate, oxygen levels. Then a nurse asks a bunch of questions, do you have pain, discomfort, blood in urine, how often are you peeing, any question that you can think up that deals with the region down there. (this doesn't include the paperwork you fill out with all the same questions). Then a resident Oncologist comes in, and all the same questions are asked, yes, they are thorough. Final Dr. Goodette arrives and asks several of the same questions. Everything is progressing as it should, still run down at the end of the day, still some shortness of breath, I did drop down my Flomax intake from twice a day to once. We will see how it goes.

Next I fly back in March, and this is when they start taking blood and checking my PSA.