So much uncertainty: How do you manage it?

@camacho66
3 1/2 years after surgery, my PSA started rising, so I had salvage radiation. 2 1/2 years later, my PSA started rising, so I went on ADT. That kept my PSA low for about 2 1/2 years at Which point I became castrate resistant and went on Casodex Followed by abiraterone When my PSA kept rising. In have Had two more reoccurrences, had to have a metastasis Zapped on my spine. Four years ago I found out I was BRCA2, which is why it keeps coming back, makes it much more aggressive.

It has now been more than 16 years and I Have been undetectable for the last 33 months. I’m on Orgovyx and Darolutamide And together they work great.

Prostate cancer is a chronic disease for almost all of us, not a deadly disease. Don’t get too concerned you have lots of years left, And they keep coming out with new drugs.

@jeffmarc
HI, Thanks for your input. I was recently diagnosed with Gleason 4+3. PSA 8.6
I was put on Bicalutamide 50mg daily and one Lupron injection. Getting ready for the Barigel spacer and Urolift and then daily radiation for five weeks. Hoping all goes well for me. New to the group so thanks again.

@ecurb Curious why avoiding beer is suggested. I understand the obvious, but is there something you can share specific to PC treatment. I find value in a couple of beers to take my mind of this unfortunate journey. Any insight you can share is much appreciated.

For me, it's the uncertainty and the constant "what if" questions that I continue to face after my prostatectomy last September for T3b prostate cancer. I've come to realize that worrying about the future robs us of the opportunity to fully enjoy the present.

I'm trying my best to apply some of the lessons I've learned from Dr. Laurie Santos, the Yale psychologist and cognitive scientist whose podcasts focus on happiness and resilience. A few of her teachings that resonate with me are:

* About 80% of the things we worry about never actually happen.
* Of the 20% that do happen, we usually cope with them much better than we imagine.
* When faced with challenges, instead of asking "Why did this happen?", ask "How can I deal with it?"

I'm still a work in progress, but I find these reminders helpful whenever my mind starts drifting toward uncertainty.

@corin what I read is that Beer inhibits the effectiveness of the ADT- cancer treatments. Alcohol does you no favors. Since I m off ADT I usually get a 7/7 when going out to eat or a Bloody Mary only once in every 3-4 weeks. lol

@ecurb
Thanks for following up and sharing.

@ecurb Also, ADT can elevate liver enzymes - as can alcohol - so they want your bloodwork to reflect any changes SOLELY to the effects of ADT.
Phil

@soli Its true our bodies and mind are a complicated ever changing network. We do seem to adjust and re-think the process and keep moving on. Things at work, things with your family, health, daily stresses. Yet we add those to the mix and move on. I always look at the next person and go man how can they endure one thing after another. Then feel I can do this. I like the saying from Mark Twain. "I know worrying must help because none of it ever comes true. "

@tuckerp
Spot on! Many of the things we worry about are either exaggerated in our minds or never materialize.

For example, when I was preparing for my prostatectomy last year, one of the things I dreaded most was having a catheter for 7–10 days after surgery. I imagined it would be one of the worst parts of the entire experience and lost sleep over all kinds of catastrophic scenarios—getting it snagged while I was asleep, accidentally pulling it out while getting a cup of coffee in the kitchen, or being in constant pain.

None of those fears came to pass. Of course, no one wants to walk around with a catheter and drainage bag unless they have to, but having one for a week or two turned out to be very manageable. I was able to walk around the house, go to restaurants and grocery stores with my sisters, and carry on with most normal daily activities. Looking back, I spent far more time worrying about it than I ever spent dealing with it.

Perhaps try living and focusing on today. Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. If we are worrying about those two days, we miss today where the action and gifts are.