Post RP and SRT journey - oh joy

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  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    #182
    Vinho verde

    Hi Vasco,

    Sadly the French like to drink their own wine so anything non French is in very limited supply, the only Portuguese wine I have seen in a supermarket here is a rare bottle of Vinho Verde, specialist suppliers have more but not a lot.
    G & T has to wait for the weekend so I will have a 1664 and a drop of Bio Merlot that I got out of the wine pump today. This is a green venture by one of our supermarkets, you arrive with your refillable bottle, fill it up with the wine of your choice, pay for your wine and off you go, bottles are reused.
    Another pat on the back and a big cheer for Hew!

    Hip hip hooray!

    Georges

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    edited July 2020 #183
    I just realised I have my

    I just realised I have my next test in a few weeks.

    I have not even thought about it since the last one. I am going to be too busy to worry between now and then.

    Here is hoping it is a good one.

     

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    edited August 2020 #184
    Autumn equinox

    Hi Hew,

    I mosey down to the lab when I feel like it so I am going in around September 21 / 22.
    We are hiding out in Jersey at the moment having endured the CV-19 tests, etc to escape from France.
    Not much CV-19 here so life is pretty normal, we will see what Brittany is like when  we get back, it will still be there as they say!

    Best wishes,

    Georges

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    #185
    April 2020

    Hi all

     

    Latest results: 0.05

     

    History

     

    Feb 2019: 0.07

    Jul 2019: 0.05

    Nov 2019: 0.09

    Feb 2020: 0.09

    May 2020: 0.05

     

    Nurse was pleased but seemed surprised at this large turn around. We both agreed it’s trend not numbers that counts but this looks good to bank.

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    edited August 2020 #186
    Feb 2019: 0.07

    Feb 2019: 0.07

    Jul 2019: 0.05

    Nov 2019: 0.09

    Feb 2020: 0.09

    May 2020: 0.05

    August 2020: 0.06

    Have been told this is well within margin of error and can be considered stable. Was offered six monthly testing but said would think about it so three months for now.

    What do you good people think about going to six months?

  • Josephg
    Josephg Member Posts: 455 Member
    edited August 2020 #187
    4 Months

    Do whatever you are comfortable with.  The frequency of testing is completely independent of what the PCa may or may not be doing within your body.

    Maybe a testing frequency somewhere in the middle will make you more comfortable, and still reduce the frequency of emotional swells that accompany each testing cycle.

    My Oncologist recommended a 4 month testing cycle for me, and I am comfortable with it.

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    edited August 2020 #188
    Continuing remission

    Wonderful.

    You have been in remission since Feb 2019. I think we got reasons to have a Bitter. Let’s meet at your pub. Here there are yet some corona restrictions.

    Congratulations.

    VG

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    #189
    Hi Joseph

    Hi Joseph

     

    I like the idea of four months. I might just ring them back and change to that.

     

    Vasco

     

    Thanks. I took your advice and now have a hangover. I have never used the term remission to refer to myself to date because I have always been in that "am I or aren't I" mindset. I think it is healthier to think like that now.

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    edited August 2020 #190
    Tap on the shoulder

    Hi Cushions,

    Congratulations on your latest result.
    The chance of it coming back to tap you on the shoulder declines with time post radiation but it is always there.
    I reckon that you are one of the penguins at the back! :-)

    Best wishes,

    Georges

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    #191
    Hi George

    Hi George

    Yes, I am starting to see it like that now.

    Hope all is well with you.

    Steve

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    edited August 2020 #192
    Got my letter for the next

    Got my letter for the next test - three months. May change to 4.

    She added a check for Testosterone on top of the PSA. I never asked for it but I did honk about bouts of fatigue so I suspect that they are doing a routine check. They never tell you why they do things do they?

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #193
    Timely

    They will if you ask. Testosterone should pair the PSA at least one time each year. In any case the important is that you feel being looked well.

    UK is no more requesting quarantine for those returning from Portugal. How about a trip to Tavira to relax and get the strength back.

    Best,

    VG

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    #194
    I never did ask. Guess it is

    I never did ask. Guess it is just routine. I am OK apart from bouts of fatigue which I am starting to suspect are related to sleep apnoea and chronic hyperventilation. I am going to look into breathing exercises.

    I would love to go back to Tavira. We had a fabulous time. The music festival was on and we had flamenco, classical, a Queen tribute act and more.

    The restaurate D'gusta away from the main area was my favourite restaurant.

    I just wish I had a job to pay for a holiday :(:)

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    #195
    Fatigue and testosterone

    Hi Steve,

    My level of testosterone had recovered to just below the normal range in March and I think it has improved since then; more body hair growth, beard sprouting again with renewed vigour, etc.
    But I still feel tired. I am eating well, I can go for long walks, but I reckon if I had to do a normal days work I would be exhausted, by the weekend I would be all in.
    I am going for my next PSA test and I will do a testosterone test towards the end of September.
    We are back from three weeks in Jersey. It was OK as there is very little CV-19.
    We took the cat with us, she managed to catch two mice in the garden and she dug quite a few holes for cat business as well, no need for a litter box when you have a nice fresh flower bed only metres from the door.
    We are back in Brittany by the sea now and it is raining but the CV-19 is not too bad down here! :-( :-)

    Best wishes,

    Georges

  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    edited October 2020 #196
    Had a chat with Nursey and

    Had a chat with Nursey and said "can we go four months as I want to delay getting wifey wound up with my pre-test hump too often". She said "well that would put you just before December. January?". I said "You have done this before" Laughing

    So five months between tests now. They seem relaxed so I am.

  • Josephg
    Josephg Member Posts: 455 Member
    edited October 2020 #197
    Additional Peace of Mind

    Good news, Hew.  That should reduce the frequency of those high-stress pre-test periods.  That will be good for both you and your wife.

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    edited October 2020 #198
    Sequential

    I agree with your decision. If something "out of the obvious" arises, the next sequential would be hormonal and that would work well at any level.

    Let's celebrate the delay too.

    VG 

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    edited October 2020 #199

    Hi Hew,

    Welcome to the weird world of remission, we both made it! :-)
    Hopefully PSA tests and visits to the doctor will stretch out until they are yearly check ups. :-)
    When I stopped the ADT in September 2019 I was full of plans about what we were going to do this year.
    Sadly they have not come to much due to COVID-19 which has put many things on hold.
    I am hoping that we will do some of them next summer, until then it is small steps.
    It is going to be three for an at home Christmas, wife, cat and I, and it is likely that quite a bit of it will arrive in a big box early December.
    Fingers crossed that we might turn some sort of corner next spring / summer.

    Best wishes,

    Georges


  • hewhositsoncushions
    hewhositsoncushions Member Posts: 411 Member
    edited November 2020 #200
    Sorry for the delay in

    Sorry for the delay in replying.

    Well one can hope. I am too busy worrying about being unemployed and fighting the urge to drink too much becauwse of COVID to worry about PSA tests right now :)

    Our Christmas may be two, three or four people, depending on whether students and parents are allowed to "bubble".

    Lets hope the COVidiots don't jeff up the lockdown with their deranged selfish entitlement!

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    edited November 2020 #201
    Update

    Hi Hew,

    We are just finishing another three weeks of isolation with eleven days to go, but they are sure to extend it in some way.
    We are on a regime of being able to go out for shopping, visits to the doctor, etc and a short walk every day for up to an hour.
    It has cut the rate of COVID-19 but it is limiting, so too much time on the computer or watching the TV.
    The cat seems pleased with it all, both cat parents are in constant attendance for feeding, cleaning, combing, scratching, cuddling, paw warming, etc.
    We are not doing too bad on the alcohol front, I have a couple of small 250ml beers per night plus the odd gin and tonic and the other half is on occasional glasses of wine. It is tempting to drink more, this is France and the shops are stacked with tempting low price bottles.
    I miss going for a drive along the coast or out in the country and long walks.

    Best wishes,

    Georges

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