Mike and I went to meet with the radiation oncologist on Thursday December 8. His PSA lveels in his three month check-ups had been about .08 for a year (with one zero) then this summer it went to .09. His test in October was .13. That's when he was referred to the oncologist and sent for more tests: bone scans, CAT scan, chest e-ray, blood work.
The nurse who came in first immediately told him his PSA result from November (one month after the October one): "Your PSA is .16, that's good!" I guess for men who are more advanced, that IS good. For us it was bad news.
The oncologist, Dr. Kendall, has recommended radiation. There was a small mark on one of Mike's ribs - Mike asked if it was there in the 2003 scan. Dr. Kendall said, "Smart question, actually, yes it was, and it has not changed." Therefore we all believe it is just a leftover reminder of some klutzy move on Mike's part once upon a time. The bone scans show up old breaks and injuries. The prostate bed itself looked fine - whatever is there is likely still around there and very tiny.
So, sometime after Xmas, Mike will start radiation treatments for 7.5 weeks, Mon-Fri. He feels good about though. At least it's doing something to attack the thing. I am so glad he has a positive attitude about it. I think that's as important as anything. He will likely be able to work through the first part - afterwards you apparently get quite fatigued. And the radiation at the time is painless, although it can leave a "sunburned" skin and cause damage to the rectum (because the prostate bed is right behind it. This can be healed on its own or repaired. No urinary incontinence, but the doctor told him that the radiation will likely "finish him off down there" as far as impotence goes. But at least no hormone treatment is recommended - Mike's more terrified of that than anything.
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