Well, it's been quite a while since I've updated most of you. Those of you at church and on Facebook know more, as I tend to tell more there than here.
The news is good. Not great; but good.
Let me explain a little about my cancer and how the doctors track it. Since I don't have a prostate any longer, my PSA should, ideally, be non-existent. However, we've known since my surgery in 2004, my cancer escaped the prostate bed and moved into my lymph system.
Now, anytime I have any PSA reading greater than 0.1, it means I have growing prostate cancer cells in my body. As those cells multiply, my PSA goes up.
My doctors are watching for an established doubling rate of my PSA. The doubling rate is an indication of the aggressiveness of my cancer. You want a doubling rate measured in years, not in months.
Eight months ago, my PSA was 0.2. Four months ago, my PSA was 0.4. It doubled in just 4 months. But, two points on the graph is not enough to indicate a definite trend.
So, we had to wait (and pray) for the third point. Would my PSA double again from 0.4 to 0.8 in just 4 more months?
I put the word out to my church family and they prayed, and my family prayed, and I prayed and my PSA came back at 0.6. Praise God for answering prayers. The 0.6 broke up the trend.
Now we wait to see how long it takes to go from the 0.4 to 0.8 (again just 2 points on the graph) and then to 1.2. Or from the 0.6 to 1.2 to 2.4.
My PSA could plateau and hold steady for months, even years. Or, it could continue to climb.
I haven't seen my oncologist since the latest PSA came back. I will see him in August. I don't believe he will change anything at this time; but, he could surprise me.
Anyway, I'm still feeling great and doing well. I swim and take water aerobics at the Y three days each week. When school starts up again, I'll be babysitting my 3 grandchildren.
What to pray for:
-pray for my PSA to plateau or slow to a crawl
-pray that I continue to feel as good as I do (I feel old...but then again, I am old)
-pray that I can handle 3 grandbabies
Thank you all for your prayers and your friendship. I cherish both.
3 comments:
I am always praying for you. God is good..and while at times it's hard to accept what all His plan holds for some of us...we all have to trust that no matter what..it is for the best.
Aside from praying for your health..my goodness I will pray for you keeping 3 grand babies! I about pull my hair out with my 3! I love them so much..but it is so much to take on at times. Maybe being a parent to grown children and just learning to have fun with grandchildren really happens? Hahaha!
Enjoy those beautiful babies...you have such a blessed life and family!
Much Love & God Bless~
The Rodriguez' are praying for you and your family. Stay strong and have fun with the little ones.
I have nominated you for Kreativ Blogger!
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