A little over a week ago, I hopped online around 10 p.m., checked my latest PSA results, and wrote my last blog post. None of that made for a good bedtime story.
The next day, I was exhausted from not sleeping well after receiving the news—so exhausted that I skipped out from work about an hour and a half early so I could go home and rest. Ever since then, I’ve been fine. I’ve accepted the new number and the fact that, once again, the only thing that I can control is how I react to it. In my heart, I expected the number to go up from the last test, and it did.
I did take a little time to search for some newer articles about salvage radiation therapy but they, like the PSA results, didn’t make for good bedtime reading either, so I put that on hold for now. I’ll be working on my list of questions for the doctor on 22 October, and we’ll go from there.
I’m pretty sure the writing is on the wall that that salvage radiation is in my future. It will take a while to get appointments set up for the radiation oncologist and to do any imaging that we can, and when you throw in the approaching holidays, I just don’t see radiation starting before the end of the year. I could be wrong. (Or, if things do happen quickly, I may just force the start to the beginning of the new year. Who wants to be getting zapped through the holidays? Seriously.)
In the mean time, I’m doing okay. Really. Just one appointment and test result at a time…
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Never easy Dan, but if you can keep it from doing your head in you will do better. Cheers, Phil
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Thanks, Phil. Yeah. At this point in the game, I’ve become a bit more calloused to the news. You just take it in, process it, and move on.
Hope you’re doing well. Dan
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Hang in there Dan, one day at a time mate. Thinking of you
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Thanks, Luigi! Sound advice. Have you had your back surgery yet? If so, how’d it go? Bring any relief for you?
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Hi Dan, When I had my radiation, 2-years after a prostatectomy, it definitely made an impact on my day to day routine. 45 treatments, 5 days a week for 9 weeks. Treatment was in the morning and I had to drink a bottle of water on the way to treatment so my bladder was full with hopes of protecting it from radiation. In retrospect I don’t know how successful the water was but I certainly have a weaker bladder post radiation. I went down to half days at work and eventually even this was a burden. Spent most of my time lying around and dealing with diarrhea. Post treatment I had great success. Now 2 years later and the PSA just started to creep up. Dr visits have been shortened and now talking about some new scans. The slog continues…
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Hi Oz,
Thanks for sharing your story. A little unnerving, but nothing I didn’t already know about the potential side-effects of the salvage radiation, including the possibility of an increasing PSA within 5 years of the treatment. I’m sorry that you’re experiencing all of that. Keep slogging!
Dan
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Thinking of you. Here if you need me. I am off 12/21- 1/5 or 3/21 – 3/29… and summer if you need any help. Xoxo
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Thanks, Britt. I appreciate the offer. We’ll see what happens after my conversation with the doctor next week. I suspect there will be more conversations with other doctors before we actually make a decision. Love ya!
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Hi Dan, you are a power of example to many who read your blog. I for one feel like I’m on the same journey. You are just a bit ahead of me. I live my life as though nothing ever happened. Then, like you I have to go for the “test” and it’s a bit of fear and anxiety. I am living and I have much love around me. I count my blessings. You will make the choice that’s right for you. Much love to you brother.
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Thanks, Sean. I appreciate your comments. We’re all in this together.
Even with the rising PSA, I don’t let it overtake my daily thoughts or activities. I won’t lie and say that I never think about it but, for the most part, I’ve managed to tuck it away in a nice little corner until the next test result or next appointment.
All the best to you, too!
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