My thoughts are with you and your husband. Especially with the pandemic I think many of is have not gotten our ”routine” test and visits.

So sorry, Kswl.

Wishing you the best outcome.

Just to add to kswl’s message - Men who have had treatment after diagnosis should continue to be monitored. DH had surgery many years ago, but an elevated PSA a few years back suggested they didn’t get it all. He then went through 13 weeks of radiation treatments. It’s been four years now and all is well. Wishing your DH well.

I am so sorry you're going through this Kswl. It sounds like you have quite a road ahead of you and I hope all will be at the end.

To add to the PSA - a friend of ours who is 67 had prostate cancer a few years ago and they got it into remission. He gets his numbers checked every 3 months and the last two checks have shown rising numbers. They have risen marginally so they will watch the next two tests and then decide what to do. Please get the guys in your life to get checked.

Sorry for this diagnosis. Seems like you are responding very aggresively, as you should. Hoping you get good results going forward.

Kswl you and your dh are in my thoughts . it sounds like you have a well thought out plan of action and thank you for thinking of others at this difficult time.❤️

Fugue state is understandable - but you are taking care of needed business with an aggressive plan. I'm sorry you and DH have to travel this road and hope for successful treatments.

I really appreciate your taking the time to post this, KSWL. It will be heeded. All the best to you and DH, you will be in my thoughts.

I have always admired you here and know you’re a strong, wonderful, and wise woman. Your DH couldn’t have anyone better in his corner!

Yes, Jinx, exactly. I know KSWL to be formidable, and yet always with grace and class.

Kswl, I am so sorry that your DH is facing another health challenge. It sounds like you have a good plan in place. You both are in my prayers.

Thank you for posting this informaiton. I am going to ask my DH if he has had this test. He just turned 60 and gets a regular physical. I am not sure if this test would be part of that, however.

So sorry to read about this. Best wishes to you both.

I am really sorry your DH and you are having to deal with this. My DH was fortunate with his because it was contained & his PSA has remained at zero since his surgery. I know three other men whose cancer had gotten out of the prostate itself, but with periodic radiation as needed & hormone therapy, they are doing fairly well. I so hope this is so for your DH. Every male should have the "cough test" at their annual physical, plus a PSA to monitor. So important. Supporting you in thought & prayer.

kswl, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Your DH is fortunate to have you at his side and the excellent medical facilities at your disposal.

Right now my daughter is dealing with a health issue and is staying with me. I give thanks that she's healing and I'm remaining in one piece to be able to provide her care. I pray for strength and calm and clear thinking to deal with whatever curveball comes your way. It's always something, kwim?

Best to you, Bunny.

Hope all goes well for your DH and for you. Thanks for the reminder and i will remind both of my sons.

Bunny, sending good thoughts to you and your dear daughter.

So sorry to hear about your daughter also Bunny. Hope her situation is improving! I'm sure it means alot to have her mom caring for her!

Bunny, sending you and your daughter well wishes and hopes for healing well. She’s very lucky to have you. ❤️

I'm so sorry you and DH are facing another medical issue. I hope all goes well for your DH. You already have good plans in place.

My father discovered he had prostate cancer and was told he had two years. He received Lupron injections and took Casodex for years, then decided to have surgery so he could stop the injections. He lived 24yrs past his diagnosis, and did not die from prostate cancer. DH started going to urologist in his late 50s. A few years ago his PSA was high, so they did severeal biopsies. All negative. His number has gone down, but is still higher than it should be. There is no explanation, so he goes 2x a year for testing.

I will keep you and your DH in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing, since these strong reminders always help someone go to the Dr and/or ask for testing.

Kswl, So sorry to hear of this development. Hoping for effective treatment for your DH.

Bunny, glad your DH is recovering well and that she has you to help her through this.

Kswl - so sorry to read this. I do appreciate your important message about screening. Will be thinking of you all and wishing you the best possible outcome. We navigated a serious health issue with my DH this spring/summer and are grateful to be in the monitoring phase.

All the best and take good care.

ps - All the best to you and your DD Bunny as well.

I‘m sorry to hear this KSWL. Thank you also for posting this PSA with all you are dealing with. Echoing what has been said already that you are a strong and wise woman.

Wishing the best outcome for your DH 🙏🏻

Thanks everyone. All shall be well. :)

Glad your DD is on the road to recovery, Bunny, and that she has you to care for her ❤️

Heartfelt thanks to all for your prayers and well wishes and personal stories of successful treatment. DH is concerned not only about surviving, but the life changing side effects that often result from the treatment itself (incontinence, sexual dysfunction being the main problems). We are optimistic but realistic about DH’s disease, but unfortunately as a retired doctor he knows far too much to be trusting or sanguine.

We moved my mother’s trans esophageal echocardiogram to the end of this week. she’s being measured (for lack of a better word) for an aortic valve now so that it will be ready when the time comes. The new medications and doses have done wonders for her, though, and she is faithfully weighing herself and checking her blood pressure every morning. Having her a half mile away means i can have eyes on her every day, which will take about a half ton weight off my mind 🙂

Thank you all, again. My corporeal friends have rallied around and will be checking our house every week we’re gone. DS2 got a seven month (non speaking) contract with the tv show Dynasty (i didnt even know there was a new one!) so he is mostly away these days. They film at the oddest hours and he is staying with DD and SIL in Atlanta except on days they dont need him and he can run down here to golf. The dogs are boarding at a relatively new place that looks lovely; I toured it and think they will be well cared for there. Only two dogs now…..our beloved Mr. Fluffy was euthanized Saturday after suffering a series of hours long, violent seizures that left him blind and paralyzed. He was 15 years old.

Bless your heart, when it rains! Mr Fluffy was a handsome fella. I am sure he was much loved and will be missed by all. Glad your mom is close by, so one thing a bit less on your mind.

Oh kswl, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear Mr. Fluffy.

Aww, I’m sorry about Mr Fluffy! Such a sweet face.

kswl's DH has been on my mind since reading this thread. Just now, out of the blue, a timely article about early prostate cancer screening came my way. Recently diagnosed, he seems to underscore everything kswl has said.

Prayers for you and your husband.

And for Bunny too!

Mr. Fluffy, RIP.

Kswl, sorry you have been dealing with the illness and for the loss of your doggo.

Bunny, healing vibes for your daughter.

KSWL….i am so sorry to read about your husbands new health problems. i so admire what a hands on wife and daughter you are and how you seem to takeover in troubled times and put everything in order. you are a couragious and strong women.

thank you for the reminder on PSA tests.

So sorry about Mr Fluffy (I lost my 15-1/2 yr old lab this summer) and the cancer diagnosis for your DH. My dad had prostate cancer. I remember some talk about watching his PSA levels and when they did further tests, they found cancer in every part of that grid. I remember that it would have been a very different story if they found any outside of that -- ultimately, they did not .He was treated with radiation only and did not have any long term problems. He died of totally unrelated causes Hope your DH will have a similarly successful treatment and this will soon be behind you.

Bunny, hope your DD is soon back to 100% too.

Many wishes for a full recovery.. and so glad to hear of the love, strength and support of those around you! <3

Also wishes to Bunny and all others who are tending to loved ones.

Goodness Kswl , this is a very rocky patch you and DH are going through and have been through ((((((HUGS))))). Please make sure to take care of your own health. I have seen this and experienced it myself, it's very easy to become negligent.

You as well Bunny! Take care of your health during your nursing. My best to your daughter..

I’m so sorry your DH is facing yet another health issue, Kswl. You both will be in my thoughts as you navigate this next medical journey. It sounds like you have a clear plan and i sincerely hope your DH responds well to all the treatments. Thank you for the PSA.

And Bunny, glad you could take care of your daughter when she needed you.

Sending virtual hugs, Kswl. Thinking of you both. I know the waiting is so hard when you need answers.

The waiting is the hardest part.

kswl, so sorry you both are going through this.

If it helps at all, my cousin had an aggressive prostate cancer and he managed to get treatment for it and 3 years later, he's still cancer free.

Sending you my thoughts of strength, courage, healing and patience.

From maddielee, but one I would have written.

“Many of our family and friends are at the age that prostate problems are being diagnosed. Every single man has gotten through treatment and are living active lives.

And this was my cousin:

My brother‘s was stage 4 prostate cancer when he was in his early 60s. He had the daVinci surgery and 6 weeks of radiation after. Today he is fit and healthy at 73.”

Hang tight and dont waste any time overly worrying. Hugs to you.

Im sorry Kswl to hear of more health problems for your husband, but sounds like you have a wealth of great medical services to call upon. My husband had a prostate biopsy recently and the wait for the results was terrifying for both of us (he is 64.) Fortunately the biopsy result was benign. He is still having issues, but at least now we know they are non-life threatening.

You seem to be a great source of support for so many, Kswl. Please be sure to take care of yourself, too.

Just wanted to circle back to say I am thinking of you and your DH-- hope all went well with your appts and that you are well informed and prepared for the next steps!

MDLN, i have never heard of a doctor who recommends or performs a biopsy based on a single PSA result. It is customary to have a repeat test to rule out false positives, even in our small backwater of the U.S. Surely the answer to overtreatment is better education and training of urologists, not a protocol that punishes patients who could benefit from this test?

The guidelines you cite remind me of the recommendation for decreased mammogram monitoring for women back around 2010. Confusion and inconvenience over false positives and false negatives, in addition to overtreatment, were given as reasons to stop annual breast cancer screenings for women in their forties. I remember someone saying at the time that there is no test more inconvenient than late stage cancer.

The PSA is an inexpensive test and not only can it save lives, but it earlier detection and treatment can prevent the morbidity of incontinence and sexual dysfunction that could negatively impact quality of life for decades. You should ask a man who has been on androgen deprivation therapy for a year if he wishes his cancer had been detected earlier.

As a result of DH’s biopsy and subsequent scan results he has a 30% chance of five year survival. Thanks for your concern.

Thank you again, KSWL for sharing this. We are taking your advice. I agree, I do not understand the "downside" of testing.

there is no test more inconvenient than late stage cancer - @KSWL I agree with everything you have said. Thankfully my husband and I both have doctors who still recommend yearly screenings such as mammograms, PSA/prostate exam and pap test.

I don't think there's a downside of screening itself other than the psychological impact of thinking or knowing you have cancer. The biggest downside is if you have unnecessary treatment. We have a friend (early 60s) who tested positive in the last couple years. He's not having any further treatment - his doctor's recommendation - but he is continuing to be monitored regularly for disease progression.

Mayo Clinic provides a nice explanation.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psa-test/about/pac-20384731

@User, you may want to consider challenging your insurance company for coverage, was FDA approved 12/2020.

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/prostate-cancer-psma-pet-ct-metastasis