Recurrent cancer treatments

I am 56 years old and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2001. I don't remember all the specific numbers but the biopsy showed 5 out of ten hits were positive. I did get a second opinion that included running the pathology again, and both concurred that I was a candidate for a radical prostatectomy. It went well, but the prostate was much more involved than the biopsy showed. Nerve sparing surgery was done to one side, and after a normal recovery I was cancer free with psa of 0 for the snext even years, which most would say I was very fortunate.

During a normal blood test for diabetes my psa was checked in July of 2008, and it was 2.4. It was re-run and there was no error. It was back. We watched it for a while and it was doubling about every thirty days, sometimes faster than that. I saw a specialist and he recommended hormone therapy immediately, and that day I had a 3 month Zolodex shot and went on a thirty day run with Casodex. Psa at that time was 6.5. I think I have most of these names right. That resulted in the psa going back to zero and we started exploring treatment possibilities. I had a CAT scan, 2 MRI's and a bone scan. There was no evidence of it spreading to the bones and my MRI showed two small areas of concern in the area of my lymph nodes in the prostate bed. I had my second hormone shot in October of 2008, and then began the radiation therepy in late October.

Time past and we settled on IMRT radiation therapy at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer center. These people are some of the nicest, most caring people I have ever dealt with. Eight weeks later I was done on December 22nd of last year, and returned to my home in the Keys. My wife and I, both being cancer survivors, decided to move from Oregon in 2007 and try and enjoy life rather than just living it. It has not been easy because it is fairly expensive to live down here, but my employer of 26 years let me bring my job with me and now I work out of my home. All-in-all I have to say that I really feel pretty good. And yes I am thankful for that but still scared out of my mind.

However, my psa was .21 in March of this year, 1.2 in May and 2.21 last week. Obviously it is going up at an alarming rate, again. I am going to have a test for hormone levels this week and see if my psa is just chasing my levels returning to normal, but since I haven't had hormone threatment since last October I think that is a long shot.

So right now I do not know what my future will hold. It is most uncertain, scary and a real threat to my life I know.

I was told that I would not be a candidate for another round of radiation treatment, but other than that I do not know what my future will entail. But I guess we never really do.

I would enjoy hearing others results with conditions and treatment related to mine, and I will keep adding to this thread as I progress thru this new challenge. God bless you all as you are all special and I thank you for being here for all of these people. If I can share anything of value with any one of you I will certainly try. Thank you.