THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2016 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

This past Oct went for my regular annual physical exam - assuming it would be a typical visit. Of course, part of that is blood work. A few days later I get a call from the doctor saying my PSA was high (4.9). Previous year was like 1.7 and before that 1.4, 1.3. I ask what might cause the rise and he indicates sex before the test can cause it. I tell him I had sex with my wife just before the appointment (who knew that would impact the blood/PSA results? - now I do). He tells me to come back in a week for a follow-up test which I do. A few days later he calls to tell me it is even higher (6.8) and I need to see a urologist - now I am nervous. It should be noted that my DRE with this doctor felt very rough (to the point it was sore down there for a couple of days). My thought was this a reason for the rise in one week from 4.9 to 6.8.

In a panic, I search for a urologist on my insurance plan. Fortunately, I find a doctor who can see me the next day (my first sleepless night). At the exam, another DRE is done - everything is smooth. He tells me a rapid rise in PSA like this is unlikely associated to PC and likely an infection and not to worry. Antibiotics are prescribed for one week and then I should get another blood test after waiting a week more. More anxiety, but feel better that it is thought to be nothing. Three weeks later, I go to the doctor's office to get the PSA results - PSA is down to 2.9. As he says - we're better but not where I want you to be which is below a 2.5. I'm a bit concerned as the number is not back to below 2.0 if the infection is gone. He indicates it might take some more time for the levels to drop so we decide wait another couple of months and do another test. In Jan I do another test - PSA is down to 2.6. Still high, but lower than last time. He feels the trend is right - I'm a bit more concerned it is still not dropping to the old level. In April I do another test - still 2.6. My doctor is a little concerned but not pushing for the biopsy yet and ok with monitoring the PSA level further. I on the other hand, feel something is not right. The reason is not so much the PSA level, but the ED I have been experiencing in parallel since my DRE in Oct. My doctor thinks it is mental, but I've never had a problem in that department my whole life.

I decide to get a second opinion from another urologist regarding next steps. I present my case. His recommendation is to get the biopsy to determine if anything is there. He too said for my age, below 2.5 is desired. Tells me 1 in 4 chance it will be positive - not great stats when you think about it. I tell my primary doctor I want to do the biopsy. It is scheduled for May 20.

On May 27 I get a call that the slides had been sent to John Hopkins for a "second set of eyes to review". I take this as not good news and now give myself a 50/50 chance of something positive. On May 30, I get the call: one core (less than 5%) with Gleason 6. Now I am in the new world of PC management. I had been on this site before and knew the world that awaited me if a positive result was found. I so badly wanted to avoid it.

Living near NYC, I make an appointment with a specialist at MSKCC whose focus is conservative treatments like AS, given my results. I figure I should go to place where this is their focus. The appointment is 3 weeks out - more anxiety, but nothing to do but wait. As part of the appointment, my slides are sent to MSKCC for review by their pathologist. Gleason 6 (3+3) confirmed and % is calculated at 3% of the core sample. Doctor indicates I am a candidate for AS. The next step is actually another biopsy at MSKCC in late September, however it will be proceeded with an MRI. They use a new technique where they leverage the results of the MRI to guide the sonogram when doing the biopsy.

So here I am. 47 years old with Gleason 6 in 3% of one (1) core, but the PC is there which is still hard to comprehend. Of course, maybe there more, but the needles missed it. On the other hand, this could be it for now and I just found it really early because I did the biopsy and could take years to become something more. I have not done the gene tests yet that supposedly indicate the aggressiveness of the PC - that is next.

Steve's e-mail address is: jason.ogilvie AT outlook.com (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Steve has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.