Chris J's Journey

Hi Chris J,

Sorry to hear that, Chris.  As others have said, it might be just a blip, but it's a bummer even thinking that you might have reached your nadir.  It can increase your anxiety (even more than it already is) before every future test: will it stay at the new level, or will it have increased again, and if so, by how much?  In spite of advances in prostate treatments over the years, there is still so much guesswork involved.  Even the medics can't say what is going to happen next, or when.  Living with this uncertainty takes its emotional toll.

I hope you can help to distract yourself from all the worry (and 'what if's') by spending time with the people you love.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

Hello Chris, you might have reached your nadir, and you might stay there for some time. A difference of 1 in the least significant digit of one reading is not significant though. I know it still causes worry though, and I hope it stays low.

Hi Chris, I'm going to recommend you follow your own advice. I read one of your posts from a few years ago, when your PSA was in the hundreds and rising, you said something like "I can't believe other people are worried about a rise of a few decimals", well your advice was good then and it is good now. Stop worrying it's a change in the second decimal place.

As you all too well know it’s not easy mentally for anyone , but possibly harder for us incurables. I’m doing well really. Still low side effects tbh from HT , worst being stiffer and stiffer legs which is slowing me down , and quite a bit of fatigue. Weight still good as is mojo 😉.

I don’t post on the forum so much now but have helped PCUK with live webinars and first hand experience, and hopefully shortly will be helping the Movember team personally.

Wishing you all the best out there. I’m still forging ahead with planes and fishing to keep my life and mind clear

Chris

Thanks for keeping us updated on your incredible journey. It's always good to read your honest and frank wise words on here. You've given so much good advice on burning issues affecting us on this site. 

All the best.

Kev.

Well done Chris, I’ve just read out your post to David and he said ‘ well done mate’ he’s sadly has no libido, and he hates that, but his PSA was < 0.1 in July. It’s nine years in September since he was diagnosed G9 Tb3. He gets tired, and has muscle pains most days. 
He writes music, plays, sings, gardens. He interested in economics ,and ,keeps abreast of world events. His latest song has been taken up by a well known singer, so he’s enjoying that. 
David’s 74, and still has a passion for life, and living, though he does find it very hard mentally sometimes. He hates the idea of having cancer. We are both involved with a local charity for cancer and he plays music at the local school concerts. 
Keep flying them planes, keep fishing and it’s brilliant you are supporting other lads with this bl##dy disease. 
Take care 

Leila 

Chris J.,

Many thanks for the update.  I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising, even if slowly.  As others have said, hopefully it will take a long time to reach the threshold for intervention, and then you still have other options.  But that's being rational, and doesn't account for the emotional toll this illness takes on you (and most of us).  Sometimes, it feels as if we are at the mercy of the doctors, because it's they who will decide what the threshold is, and which interventions we are allowed to have.  

Best wishes,

JedSee.