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Post RP and SRT journey - July 3023 PSA test update

User
Posted 22 May 2019 at 08:04
Hi all

In the last two months I have lost a dear friend to cancer, started a new IT management job which often involves The Alamo moments and spent a lot of time medidating on life and death from a Taoist perspective (my thing rather than organised religion). These things have filled my life, the first two somewhat stressfully, I admit. I have barely looked at or posted on any forums and certainly not delved into the rabbit hole of medical research.

I noticed a month ago I was not waking up thinking "OH SH*T, I have cancer" because my attention was focussed on my life. I only sporadically think about it now. It kind of feels good but I am aware I am inbetween tests and have a long journey.

I am hoping that this attitude (apart from overworking myself which I need to stop right now) is a healthy thing as opposed to delusion or denial. I am unsure of how I will cope in the run up to and the results of my next test.

Your thoughts would be appreciated on moving on with a healthy mindset.

PP

User
Posted 22 May 2019 at 08:37

So sorry you lost a dear friend to cancer.

It sounds like you are moving in a much more positive direction on a number of fronts, other than the overworking of course!

Moving on with a healthy mindset is difficult. I am still very much up and down with that.

I hope you stay in the zone!

 

Ido4

User
Posted 22 May 2019 at 08:42
Biggest problem with our illness is the fact that there is a test for it. This causes us to focus on numbers that may or may not have any bearing on our ultimate demise.

The fact that you are coping better "in between consultations" is because your next appt is to far away to be dominating your conscience and your last one is far enough behind to have been fully processed.

Ultimately I think peace comes with acceptance and realising you have to work with what you have.

User
Posted 22 May 2019 at 19:41
Thanks Ian. Most of my stress wiring is taken up with my new job. It is odd how you go from "I have diced with death, nothing else is an issue" to "argh! my customer is screaming and we are going to be late delivering!" I need to revisit the thought processes of acceptance and priority I worked on whilst waiting for my first result.

Francij. Yes, you are right. As I said above, it shows how the mind can forget. I know it is still there tucked away, but it is not bouncing around screaming like a chimp at the moment. Good days are where I look at the sunny sky and think "it is good to be alive" and not think about anything else.

User
Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 09:19
So my last test was end of Feb and I was told test and telephone consult in 4 months.

Not had a peep from them and it is due.

I wonder if I should ring up and arrange it myself?

It has gone very fast....

User
Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 10:16
And I found the letter in a pile of papers.

Shows I wanted to ignore it unconsciously 😰

User
Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 11:26
Just got to get a blood draw for Wednesday now 😱
User
Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 14:12

Hope result is a good one when you get it. I am scheduled for PSA and other bloods next Friday, oncologist on 8/7. 

Ido4

User
Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 15:14
Cheers

You are out of HT now?

Cross fingers for you too!

User
Posted 24 Jun 2019 at 08:31

Yes, had last PROSTAP 3 injection 3/1/19.

All the best,

 

Ido4

User
Posted 24 Jun 2019 at 09:07
Squeaky bum time for both of us then!
User
Posted 24 Jun 2019 at 15:47

Very much. The waiting is horrendous.

Ido4

User
Posted 24 Jun 2019 at 16:41

I found round #1 pretty hard.

This time with a (stressful) new job, a holiday and other things I literally wiped it from my mind until too late :)

Funny thing is that the new job made me lose sight of the fact that work is the least important thing in life compared to happiness. I reflected on holiday that the stress in my new job is not for me so I may well jack it in at the end of the probation period and go back contracting. At least then I can walk away and only have to work part of the year.

Edited by member 04 Sep 2020 at 13:28  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 03 Jul 2019 at 13:24
Just tried to send you a PM, ProstatePete.

Your inbox is full so can’t send.

Ido4

User
Posted 03 Jul 2019 at 13:47
PM sent after a spring clean :)

Results today - 0.05

User
Posted 06 Jul 2019 at 20:44

Pete

Wow, that's a great result.

Thanks Chris

 

User
Posted 06 Jul 2019 at 20:59
Thanks Chris

It was down from 0.07 (Feb) to 0.05 (July) so now about 9 months after RT finished and just under a year since the last HT jab with my T levels now twice what they were before all this started.

I cannot describe the emotions I had that afternoon after being told this.

The two days before the call I felt like I image the lads felt lining up in the trenches waiting for the whistle, but I just pressed on and got on with things and rode it out.

PP

User
Posted 06 Jul 2019 at 21:38

Well done, and hoping it continues in that direction.

User
Posted 06 Jul 2019 at 23:06

Great result. It’s never easy building up to the moment of truth. 

Hope PSA continues to stay low.

Ido4

User
Posted 17 Jul 2019 at 15:34
I do have one question. The onco put me on immediate 6 month check rota after this second test but being a wuss I asked for four which the lovely onco nurse happily obliged to. Is it normal to go onto six months so quick with good results?
 
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