Jim scores 0.3!

Jim's PSA test was 0.3 and that score is a winner!  It is better than a winner--it is a burden lifted.

After 44 radiation sessions over eight weeks, Jim had to wait the prescribed two months to have blood drawn and another PSA test.  Dr. Ding, the radiologist, said we could hope for a score of 0 or 1.  Dr. Schwarzman, the urologist who drew the blood last week, said that there could be a "bump" in the results--an artificial raising of the score that would reach a "nadir" later in the process.  So we were warned not to panic if the score was higher than hoped.

The blood was drawn on Tuesday.  Jim was told to call for results on Thursday.  The results were not in and the office was closed on Friday.  He signed up for an online "portal" so he could get the results in that manner but even with the  code from the doctor's office, he was told that something was wrong.   Later he found the original  "activation letter"  back in his files and saw that he had heard the code incorrectly.  But there were still no results on Friday.

This morning (Monday), before I even got out of bed, Jim came into the bedroom saying that he had an email telling him there were new results on his portal.  He checked it out and the number was 0.3!   What a beautiful, wonderful number.  He doesn't have to call the doctor's office today; he doesn't have to ask how to follow up if the numbers were higher; we don't have to wait for the "nadir" of a score.   For now, he doesn't need any more radiation or hormone shots.  He doesn't need to consider any other procedures or even surgery.   In three months, he will see the urologist again.  He will need PSA tests every six months for the rest of his life and you can't consider yourself "cured" until you have 15 years of negative tests, not the often quoted five years for other cancers.  And that brings him to age 89 which seems like a pretty old age to us right now.

I had prayed so many times for healing.  But if not healing, then strength to deal with the cancer.  Jim has been very tough through the whole process although dealing with the protocol for radiation did give him daily stress.  I have not been as tough and tears have come too easily.   But today, my body feels like a big smile and I am so relieved for the success of the radiation and also not having to wait any longer for the test result.

I have emailed and texted our children and several friends who have asked about Jim this past week.  It is good to get their happy and loving responses.  I am so thankful for this respite  and so aware that others do not get such happy news when waiting for tests and biopsies and scans.  As I write this, we are thinking of two good friends in Michigan who are beginning treatment for breast cancer and a bile duct cancer.

We are thinking that we may celebrate tonight with an On the Border take-out meal including their take-out margaritas!   Maybe we'll do two nights in a row of BritBox TV.   Celebrations in a time of pandemic are low key but important! And this news is so worth celebrating!