On_A_Journey's journey

On_A_Journey

Just thinking, if you multiply all your readings by a factor of 10, surely the resultant time constant would remain the same. 😉

On_A_Journey

A feature of my biochemical recurrence journey is the slow and steady increases in my PSA every three months, interspersed with periods of stability. My last test in July showed a sudden spike equating to a 37% increase in PSA in three months, but this result now appears to be an outlier.

I had another follow-up today which revealed that my PSA has decreased from 0.74 to 0.67 without treatment. Good news, but confusing as hell, lol!

Recap since this time last year:

Oct 2023 – PSA = 0.58, T 15.5 nmol/l (447 ng/dL equiv.)

Jan 2024 – PSA = 0.59, T 18.1 nmol/l (522 ng/dL equiv.)

Apr 2024 – PSA = 0.54, T 19.4 nmol/l (560 ng/dL equiv.)

Jul 2024 - PSA = 0.74, T 17.3 nmol/l (499 ng/dL equiv.)

Oct 2024 - PSA = 0.67, T 17.2 nmol/l (496 ng/dL equiv.)

These five results plugged into a nomogram indicate a doubling time of 41.4 months.

All things considered, I'm just inching along the path towards further treatment. A couple of years ago, my present PSA reading would have terrified me, but now I'm quite relaxed with it all. It might even be years until I hit the trigger point for another scan!

Old Salt

Thanks for the update; basically good news. About a year ago I wrote

I guess, we can conclude that even though we don't know where the cancer is hiding, it isn't 'multiplying' to a significant extent. A VERY good thing! I hope that that will remain the case for many more months.

VascodaGama

Hi again,

Yes, time flies. Every time I look into the calendar I find out that the next day is another Saturday.

Your update seems to equal that in terms of your PSA variations. The results are similar every time you test, you are now more relaxed but, there is an increase, so you should keep the bandit in check.

Along the years in my case I learned that the success of a treatment depends on how much assured we are when defining and aiming a target. Though we need luck on our side, blindfold therapies are like playing "Russia Rowlett".

My struggle have been to treat but maintaining the quality of life as much as possible. Doctors give preferences to their profession, followingthe guidelines of their associations. The prime goal is in treating while aiming the lesser injury to the patient.

Risks and side effects falls in the choices of the patient.

Enjoy life to the fullest ✨️ 😌

VG

On_A_Journey

Thank you, VG, and it is always nice to hear from you again.

"Risks and side effects falls in the choices of the patient." As we say here, too right! This applies to what might lay ahead for me down the track too, regarding treatment. I have prepared myself so much for that day already. Not that I'm wishing it to happen, of course, but I think that when the time comes, the doctors will be surprised by how much I already have my head around it, and how comfortable I am with the concept of what might be in store for me, side-effect wise.