It's been 18 months since I finished RT and my first reading in March 15 showed a level of 0.5. I was really pleased by this and in the following July it fell to 0.2, again another encouraging result.
But in January of this year my levels remained at 0.2 and I confess I was concerned that they hadn't dropped lower. Perhaps 0.2 would be my nadir ? There was a very useful comment made by Dave Kirkham on a post several months ago, who said that you have to hold your nerve in this game about levels, and he was right (thanks Dave, that was very helpful to me, useful advice). I stopped worrying then until the approach of today's meeting, which I was dreading.
Today I was informed that my levels are now showing as undetectable, well below 0.1 and I was really delighted. I am to continue for a further year on HT but do not mind at all ( can't believe I'm writing that, I hate HT but if it's keeping me going , then I'll endure it!) .
I asked about my Gleason score of 5 + 4 + 3 and was told that I had 32% grade 5 Gleason showing after the biopsy , just 1 % behind Gleason 3 , so could so easily have been Gleason 9. In view of the G5 ,I may face a strong possibility of recurrence. But for now I do not mind, today's results have been very welcome. Whatever I face in the future I know that I've received a good result today.
I started severe rectal bleeding earlier this year and had blood tests for anemia, which came back clear. But the bleeding has continued to worsen, now a daily or even twice daily occurrence. I am being referred to a sister hospital where I will be seen by someone who" delights in this sort of situation , radiation proctitis is her speciality". I will be glad if this situation can be looked at , if only to rule out anything nasty.
Then I popped around to the A and E department ( no, not due to an ED issue ..) but because I tripped over a wire today and have an impacted fractured wrist and am carrying a heavy plaster . So I'm typing this one handed and face 6 weeks of delegating my domestic gardening duties to my wife and one of my daughters . Also I have got out of redecorating our living room, which was due to start on Sunday. Another delay, was due in Jan 15 but RT got in the way then !
I'm also aware that for many on here that you are facing a completely different set of circumstances. I read what is written but do not feel I can contribute in any way. But I am with you with over what you are going through and can only wish you well.
I hope that this post may help others in a similar position to me about slow dropping Psa scores. It often seems that many achieve undetectable readings very quickly but it doesn't always happen to everyone. Have patience and keep your nerve ! (Thanks again ,Dave).
Thanks,
John