March 9, 2025 
Eighteen years.
On March 26, it will be exactly 18 years since my diagnosis with prostate cancer.
Eighteen years. It’s been that long.
And the past year has been marked by my doctor and me looking for a trend in my PSA – you know, the prostate cancer blood-reading that tells how you’re doing and whether you ought to worry. But mine’s been up. It’s been down. And it’s been sideways. Finally, on Jan. 29, we had a useful number.
And it was not in my favor.
My PSA was up from 0.67 in July 2024 to 1.36 in January — higher than it’s been since my prostatectomy in 2007 (when it was 6.22). So I did what I‘d long pondered: I entered my oncologist’s research study, and I’ve now had three body scans since.
And my oncologist, after viewing the super-sensitive scan, concluded there is nothing in me to see, nothing for him to treat. The radiology report did, in fact, contain lots of Nos, Negatives and Nothings. I have a higher PSA – yes – but zero prostate cancer to target and, therefore, to zap.
And you’re right: That’s how I feel today:
Will I make it to 19 years?
My First Cancer 
Thanks Bill for your update. You spent an hour talking to me about my prostate cancer back in 2017. I was overwhelmed with how to proceed moving forward and Maggie Locke gave me your contact information so I could learn from your experience. To make a long story short, I’m 9 years post RP and post op prostate bed radiation. Overall I’m doing well and after a couple of years of just ignoring it I’m back on bicalutamide after my PSA finally got up to 8. The reasons for why I ignored it all for a couple of years is the long story part of my post and not worth going into. The important part of the story is that I’m back under care and I do appreciate you sharing your experience. Let’s keep on keeping on. Each day is a beautiful gift.
I am so glad to hear you are well! Onward to 19 –
YAY BILL! I was just thinking about you too yesterday! Thank you for sharing this update! Rooting for you.
This sounds like pretty good news,no?? I talked to Vivian recently and she mentioned u had been
Great news Bill! Thanks for the update. I expect 19 will be a breeze.
Hi Bill:
Always great to hear from you. Congratulations! Yeah, you’ll definitely make it to 19 years insofar as far as keeping prostate cancer remaining at bay is concerned. On the other hand, you and I are 19 years older, so there’s that… But your writing style remains as pellucid as always.
I crossed the 16-year threshold on January 22, 2025. My PSA remains undetectable; prostate cancer has faded into the background of my life.
On the other hand… (I can’t remember if we’ve corresponded in the last year or so—apologies of this is redundant.) In late 2022 I was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer. (Maybe I should start a newsletter called “My Second Cancer.”) To keep a long story short, I have genetic anomaly—a “defective mis-match repair” (dMMR) gene. Because of that “defect” my very smart oncologist at UW Health Carbone Cancer Center here in Madison was aware of the promising results of a small trial (12 people) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Like them, I was treated with immunotherapy (pembromizulab—aka Keytruda) for eight months and am now enjoying “complete clinical response.” Every person with this defective gene treated via immunotherapy (there are about 60 of us now—worldwide) has enjoyed CCR—the only cancer around with a 100% CCR score. I’m one fortunate guy to make it through two distinct cancers—all without chemo.
But no book this time! I’m guessing that like me, you’re enjoying life and know well that each day is truly a gift to be valued and enjoyed. May you keep on enjoying—and writing this occasional email.
Thanks for your update, my friend.
all the best, Craig
Craig Pynn craigpynn@mac.com craigpynn@gmail.com Land: 608-841-1326 Mobile: 925-708-7491 avocation: https://craigshots.com
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Yes, you will! Thanks for the update, Bill. Please give us an update on your life! How are other things going?
I’m counting on 19+++++++++! Great news, Bill. Way to baffle the docs (nice as they are 🥰)
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Delighted with this update, Bill. I’ll certainly put $$$ on 19, and beyond!