We last left our hero and his urologist lamenting about the VA protocol requiring a bone scan prior to authorizing a PSMA PET scan to try to determine the location of his growing cancer…
Well, things fell into place a little quicker than I expected. I had my bone scan on Monday, 8 January 2024. As expected, the results were:
No abnormal uptake of tracer is seen to suggest osseous metastatic disease.
That’s a good thing. At least it didn’t light up like a Broadway marquee showing metastases everywhere.
I have a follow-up with the urologist on 13 February, and I’ll have another PSA test done in advance of that meeting. The only thing that’s unclear to me is the scheduling of the PSMA PET scan, so I just emailed the urologist to clarify.
In his notes from our December meeting, his plan was to do the “Bone scan and PSMA PET; Follow-up in 6 weeks; and PSA test in advance of the follow-up.”
I asked if he wanted me to complete the PSMA PET before the February meeting, or if he wanted to review the next PSA result and bone scan results in February before scheduling the PSMA PET scan. Hopefully, I’ll have an answer soon.
I have yet to share the bone scan results with the radiation oncologist. I’ll just wait until we have the PSMA PET scan nailed down before contacting him.
Mentally, I’m doing okay with all of this. I’ve reconciled that this is the path that I’m on, and we’ll just take one step and one test result at a time and go from there. That’s not to say that there aren’t days when I get anxious about the unknown ahead. I do. But I’m getting much better at not dwelling on the fact that this is happening.
Other than that, since my last post, I’ve learned that making homemade tamales is an hours-long labor of love; I made a quick trip to Yosemite at Christmas; I completed another orbit around the sun; I’m on tap for possible jury duty next week; and I have family coming to visit in early February. 2024 is off to a busy start.
Stay tuned for more to come…
Header Image: Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park, California
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Dan, as you know, we’ve been on a similar path up until and including SRT/HT. I haven’t been to the next step as you are going through, so far. So not a lot of advice I can offer. But it’s great that your head is in a good place, that’s so important.
I’ve often wondered how I’d react if my PSA came back showing an issue, it’s still quite possible, as I’m not that far past salvage radiation. I hope I manage it mentally as well as you seem to be.
We’ve gotta squeeze the juice out of every day, and get the most out of life as we can.
Hope this doesn’t come off as corny. But I think it’s important to say. Took me 72 years of life to figure that out
Fingers crossed for you man.
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Thanks, Ken. Nope. Not corny at all. We should all think in those terms, whether we’re fighting dragons or not.
All the best,
Dan
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Dan , good news this step was fine. I was thinking about you and your progress …. The mental side of PC for me (and anyone) is a huge chore in that my Father passed away from it 24+ years ago and I was his care giver. I discovered mine early ,but still haunted by the past …. Glad to hear you are fine bud ! Keep that positive attitude and keep busy ! James from Vancouver Island !
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Thanks, James! I’m sorry you had to preview all of this with your father. That had to be difficult to say the least.
Be well!
Dan
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Thanks Dan ….in a strange way you and me have it way better than my father . Just think of all the advancements and technology around cancer care these days. So, there is always a silver lining to our thoughts and mental anguish. Take care, and I will be praying for you. James on Vanc Is.
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