This past week I had a round of medical tests, a little earlier than originally planned due to wanting to have more information. I had a chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound and blood test for PSA level. The highlight was the chest x-ray which showed “clear” and no problems. The whitish lines are mineral deposits in the vessels, not cancer. The big dark spot in the lower right corner is an air pocket in the stomach, normal. The key is the absence of whitish gatherings and intersections.
Obviously this is a great relief. The lungs were a very worrisome part of the original stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Whenever I would cough or sneeze or have any chest sensation, I would experience an autonomic, not cognitive, alarm sequence, then try to reassure myself. It is great to have some information to support an optimistic interpretation instead of the automatic paranoia!
The abdominal ultrasound, used as a general survey to check the vital organs, also showed no problems. I was not expecting anything from this as I have no symptoms. Ultrasound is interesting in that it is minimally invasive but also not very definitive. It is preferred as part of an overall desire to minimize radiation.
My PSA score is now 2.5, still well below any level of concern (especially considering that it was 266 at the start) but also still slowly rising ever since I stopped hormone therapy in July 2011. This will be tested repeatedly and hopefully it will level off under 4. The increase is almost a straight line on a graph, from <.1 in July to .4 in October, 1.2 in January and now 2.5. I will be focusing on prostate remedies in the next phase (specifically, reviving the naturopathic herbal treatment used for the first 4 months but then discontinued due to hassle), and spending less time on lung remedies. I consider concern about bones to be in the rearview mirror now.
I am staying with the full regimen to the extent time allows, and feeling well with normal energy.
I hear from other cancer adventurers pretty frequently now and I am happy to share any resources that I have found. I continue to be very grateful for ll the help that has come my way and I am eager to pass the good will to a new generation.