PSA Rising

…whatever that means…

Every man—with or without a prostate—would like a PSA of zero or close to zero. For many prostate cancer survivors (like me) there can be a gradual PSA increase over the years. I have had regular PSA testing for the past 10 years. For more than eight of those years my PSA has stayed about the same; somewhere around four. This was before, during, and after treatment (there were brief dips after surgery and radiation). Zero would have been better but I can live with four. I have lived with four.

Then, in a 12-month period, my PSA started to rise. I switched medications. It kept right on inching up. Five wasn't so bad but in a couple months it was eight. A few months later it was 12, then 13, and finally (I hope) 14. It seems to be stabilized for the moment. Why does this happen? How does this happen? What does it mean? Nobody seems to know. It just happens. What I do know is that the next generation of medications will be a lot more spendy (spendy is a well-known medical term) and with no guarantees.

There doesn't seem to be a consensus about when a PSA number is “high” or “of concern” or “critical.” PSA numbers can range from zero to 2,000 or more. Lower is better, of course, but how high is high? As long as I wake up every morning (not early), walk to the bathroom by myself, visit friends, walk to the mailbox (and back), and drink a glass or two of wine I’ll consider my numbers to be in the “normal range.”

axman

A Change of Scenery--A Different View

...as long as I can find my glasses to see it

Like many of my blogs, this one is only sort of related to prostate cancer. But I believe there are many things related to my health and the progression of any disease. Medical and scientific proof may be lacking, but how I feel is how I feel.

We just returned from two weeks in Hawaii--with our two-year-old grandson (and his parents). It was relaxing, fun, entertaining, and pushed our physical limits chasing a two-year-old up and down stairs, up and down the beach, and up and down volcanoes.

Taking time away from home always has positive effects on me (losing weight is not one of them). I think less about my aches and pains and diseases, and enjoy the adventure of whatever happens wherever I am. And I don't have to spend even a minute thinking about my to-do list at home. The glow will fade but there's always  the next time. I will repeat my motto: Do as much as I can as long as I can. But more and more slowly.

axman