Talk Cancer

Question:

Great news Claude. I will have my first PSA post-LRP in 2 weeks. I also have to have a free PSA done. Did you also have to have that test done? I have not seen anyone post their results of the first free-PSA test. Vince

Good luck, Vince.  I have never before heard of anyone getting a free PSA post RP.  I always assumed that it was a diagnostic test to help determine whether or not a high PSA was due to PCa.  I thought that if there was any significant PSA after the RP, it would be due to cancer cells that had escaped.  My uro did say that there is a gland that even women have which produces a substance very much like PSA, and it does show up on PSA tests. He said that’s the reason why you never get a *real* 0.  Perhaps the free PSA has something to do with sorting that out.

Response:

Great news Claude. I will have my first PSA post-LRP in 2 weeks. I also have to have a free PSA done. Did you also have to have that test done? I have not seen anyone post their results of the first free-PSA test. Vince

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Had my RRP on 5/1/02.  Went into surgery with a Dx of Gleason 3+3 and last PSA of 5.1.  Came out with one nerve spared, and post-op pathology upgraded me to 3+4 with 2 capsular penetrations and margins not clear. Today I got my first PSA result…"Undetectable".     I know this is just a first step, but it sure was nice *finally* getting some good news in that urologist’s office.  Now I know what you guys mean when you say "PSA anxiety".  I was more nervous today than I was the day of the surgery. Claude

Response:

Sartor resartus! May I refer you to a good movie (‘The Doctor’?) with, I think, William Hurt as a doc in your situation . . . Best wishes Argo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Being a physician with post op PSA anxiety is particularly interesting. My fellow physicians don’t really understand.  Even those who are my friends.  This is a fairly exclusive club, my fellow sufferrers. I have to tell you that it is very illluminating being on the other side of the fence. CPW

Response:

    Had my RRP on 5/1/02.  Went into surgery with a Dx of Gleason 3+3 and last PSA of 5.1.  Came out with one nerve spared, and post-op pathology upgraded me to 3+4 with 2 capsular penetrations and margins not clear. Today I got my first PSA result…"Undetectable".     I know this is just a first step, but it sure was nice *finally* getting some good news in that urologist’s office.  Now I know what you guys mean when you say "PSA anxiety".  I was more nervous today than I was the day of the surgery. Claude

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Congratulations Claude, I know exactly how you feel. I think I was more excited to get that first post op PSA than I was to hear the doctor say that everything went well in surgery. Mine was also undetectable at 3 months and I am beginning to get on with my life. I hope you can now start to do the same. Regards, Nick

Response:

Great news Claude. I wonder if the PSA anxiety ever goes away. I’m almost 2 years out from RRP, and my BP is measurably up between when I have the test and get the results.

    Had my RRP on 5/1/02.  Went into surgery with a Dx of Gleason 3+3 and last PSA of 5.1.  Came out with one nerve spared, and post-op pathology upgraded me to 3+4 with 2 capsular penetrations and margins not clear. Today I got my first PSA result…"Undetectable".     I know this is just a first step, but it sure was nice *finally* getting some good news in that urologist’s office.  Now I know what you guys mean when you say "PSA anxiety".  I was more nervous today than I was the day of the surgery. Claude

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

Being a physician with post op PSA anxiety is particularly interesting. My fellow physicians don’t really understand.  Even those who are my friends.  This is a fairly exclusive club, my fellow sufferrers. I have to tell you that it is very illluminating being on the other side of the fence. CPW

Response:

Well, good for you Claude.  It is all a whole lot easier from here. AW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Had my RRP on 5/1/02.  Went into surgery with a Dx of Gleason 3+3 and last PSA of 5.1.  Came out with one nerve spared, and post-op pathology upgraded me to 3+4 with 2 capsular penetrations and margins not clear. Today I got my first PSA result…"Undetectable".     I know this is just a first step, but it sure was nice *finally* getting some good news in that urologist’s office.  Now I know what you guys mean when you say "PSA anxiety".  I was more nervous today than I was the day of the surgery. Claude

Response: