Since Friday, 1/17, I’ve thought about writing this in the aftermath to Understanding PSA Levels 13 Months Post Radiation Therapy. There I wrote on my higher-than-normal PSA numbers as I had a follow-up with oncology that day. Cancer sucks, even when you’re not sure if it’s there.

When my initial treatment ended in December of 23, I felt it was clear sailing. The PSA numbers had lowered to a normal range in the twos. Normal is defined by being between two and four.

A full year after that final treatment they had ‘bumped’ to over five. And have done so in a matter of three months after being tested in October of ’24. There they were in the twos as well.

Oncology said this could be expected and could even raise higher after that appointment ten days ago, before it lowers again. So now it becomes a waiting and testing game to see if the radiation therapy session was truly successful.

Results in previous testing of others taking the same course of action towards their cancer, five doses of radiation over a two-week period have seen similar findings. The PSA levels would increase before finally lowering once again. My oncology doctor, Dr Z, said he’s had one patient whose rose by a full ten points before it lowered. And added these ‘bumps’ can happen as far as three even four years after treatment.

This is where it leads back to more follow-up’s other than the three-month exchange offs from oncology and urology. As they just can’t tell with one bump whether or not the cancer has returned. It’s too early and I sense more than this follow-up is ahead of me, although the doctor hasn’t said so yet.

After discovering my current plight, my meditation instructor Dr Caroline Parton took off her teaching hat and drew from knowledge as a physiatrist. Originally scheduled for a new lesson in meditation last weekend she sensed I would rather talk about what was happening. She was right.

The weight is daunting of the things I’ve been dealing with recently. From that lost friendship, newfound relationships and the various other medical procedures, I’ve neglected to address my feelings through most of it.

Like a scripted classroom session, Caroline led me to the realm of what I can control over this current plight. And it was much needed.

We spoke to the things out of my control, things I can influence and things I am in control of. By the end of our session, I realized there were far more things I am in control of as opposed to things I’m not. Actually, a grand feeling.

In the meantime, I’ll continue visualization meditation daily to help handle the stress and anxiety of it all while waiting for that future oncology appointment next month. Afterall, it’s out of my control.

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