"The road ahead"!

User

Posted 17 Apr 2017 at 20:26

Keep on trucking!

User

Posted 18 Apr 2017 at 07:31

Valleyboy your doing great ,the first month is always differcult as your not sure of how your body's going to react .When Gary had his a year ago for the first 3 sessions on days 3/4 he had very painful thigh spasms and also it's as if all the old injurys that had happened over his life were being targeted ,eg : ribs ,broken thumb ,and even inside his ear where molten metal went in while soldering ! It did get easeier over time .also Gary used a mouth wash twice a day prescribed by hospital .
Gary found by still working helped keep him going but fatigue was the main side effect .
Best wishes
Debby

User

Posted 20 Apr 2017 at 20:03

Days8/9 (chemo/1)---still all ok with pain tablets down to "as required" instead of every 6 hours--therefore only needed 2 yesterday, whilst so far none today. 3rd hormone injection today and prior to receiving it Tuesdays blood tests indicated all ok for injection--however there was also a 'small win' in that for the past two years I've been pre-diabetic (47), which then rose to 49 (diabetic), at the same time my elevated PSA was diagnosed, (Feb/17). Today my blood sugar reading was 40!! So no diabetes treatment now required as readings are well under the proscribed level. Please note I think this must be down to my dramatic diet change over the past 3 months, i.e. No processed foods, plenty of fruit and veg, no red meat and soya substitutes instead of most dairy, plus no alcohol??? This combined with daily exercise, either walking and/or stationary spinning bike, has resulted in a weight loss of 2 1/2 stone, which, as stated previously was needed!! So all in all a good day, let's hope it lasts?

User

Posted 20 Apr 2017 at 21:21

Yay for small victories.

User

Posted 20 Apr 2017 at 23:36

You'll get the slimmer of the month prize if you keep this up! Really impressive - well done you. I on the other hand have taken to comfort eating, comfort drinking and comfort sitting on the sofa.

User

Posted 23 Apr 2017 at 11:21

Day 10/11/12 (chemo/1)----all still ok, no significant issues, so chemo/1 seems to be going ok, few sniffles and sneezes this morning but no other flu/cold symptoms, don't know wether I'm being a bit optimistic but as I've been advised not to play golf till chemo finishes, I've gone out and bought a motorhome??? Pick it up in 2/3 weeks then it's off for a life on the open road?? Well initially West Wales anyway!!!

User

Posted 24 Apr 2017 at 12:20

Hi Valley Boy,

I see you are planning to travel in W Wales in your camper, is that where you live. have you come across WW Prostate Cancer Support Group. they have a web site. We live in W.W.and we go to the group lunches and meetings, if you are a member see you there if not you would be very welcome.

Leila

User

Posted 26 Apr 2017 at 16:04

Days 13/14/15 (chemo/1) all still ok, walking, cycling as normal--minor aches and pains but nothing of concern--in fact no pain tabs needed for past 3 days? Hopefully Chemo, hormones and steroids doing their job there--just cut grass again with no ill effects, so with only another week to go till I start chemo/2, it looks as if I'm coping ok, (let's hope that statement doesn't come back to haunt me)?? I feel my Diet changes and exercise definetly helping as I'm now 2 1/2 stone lighter than I was in January, and feel much better for it!!!! Anyway just off out to re stock on more green veg, salad, whole grain brown bread etc etc. Just read Jane Plants diet book, bit severe, but there's a few things in there that I'm also going to take on board.

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 07:13

Ok--days 16-21 (chemo/1) all ok- no undue side effects, so it looks as if I've got through chemo/1 unscathed?? even my beard which I shaved off 3 weeks ago has grown back!!
Start chemo/2 tmos and whilst I'm still going to maintain this blog for reference purposes, unless any side effects kick in, which I will comment on immediately, it will now be on a weekly/as required basis. Hope everyone out there is battling on, stay strong, the summers on its way which for us in Wales usually means one day of glorious sunshine sometime between June and August, interspersed with the occasional shower!!!!!!! Then again thankfully I do live on the right side of Offas Dyke so I can't complain can I?? Take care---J.

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 08:17

Good on you Valleyboy! Hope the next session goes as smoothly and that your beard grows ever fluffier. My brother ended up with curly hair when his grew back so you never know...

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 08:41

Glad for you, Valleboy.

Wishing you continue to carry on well with your chemo... And your beard to grow back splendid.

All the best for you,

Lola.

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 17:38

Valleyboy, I've just had my third infusion and a further good reduction in PSA, so a very happy bunny. The pattern with me is now - first week headaches and slightly nauseous but not disabling in any way; second week much improved energy level and side effects after 7-9 days; third week back to normal.

My wife says my chest and back are as smooth as a baby's bum, but beard and hair on top of head, such as there is, entirely unaffected. I guess we are all affected differently.

Hope your treatment continues as smoothly as mine.

AC from near Champions' City.

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 21:19

AC--how are you getting your PSA readings after each cycle? Because I've been told I need to complete at least 3 or 4 cycles before I get any further blood tests or scans to see how well, (or not) the chemo and hormones are working. thanks--

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 21:54

Valleyboy not sure if it's the same at all hospitals but when my dad had chemo last year he had to have blood tests the day before each session so they could be checked before the chemo was administered.

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 22:08

Same for me, bloods (FBC, renal, liver, etc.) the day before, if they don't like the look of the bloods they won't do the chemo. If no bloods are done, no chemo!

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 22:55

Thanks for the replies and yes I do have my bloods taken 2 days before my chemo session and then a nurse phones up, e.g. today, ( one day before chemo) to tell me the results are all ok and that my chemo will go ahead as planned tmos. However on both occasions so far there's been no mention of How my PSA is doing and when I queried it 3 weeks ago I was told I wouldn't
Get any PSA indications until after sessions 3 or 4 at the earliest, and I was just wondering how "AC" seems to be getting his PSA results with every cycle?

User

Posted 03 May 2017 at 23:08

Ps--I've just read Dave Stuart's post from the 3rd May 2017, very encouraging to know about other treatments and I really like his "strap line" too---especially the bit about " incurable but treatable"-----thanks for that Dave.

User

Posted 04 May 2017 at 04:01

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I was just wondering how "AC" seems to be getting his PSA results with every cycle?

I see my Onco every 6 weeks. She gives me bloods forms for the next 2 chemos and always ticks the PSA box as well as all the others she wants tested.

User

Posted 04 May 2017 at 07:15

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks

Keep going strong Valley boy,

There are many years ahead for you

Regards

Dave

"Incurable cancer does not mean it is untreatable and does not mean it is terminal either"

User

Posted 04 May 2017 at 15:16

Just completed chemo/2 session all went ok no issues with infusions and again no side effects yet--just having my complimentary tuna sarnie and milk free yogurt then off home--what a life?? Ps gained internet access in hospital today and wish I hadn't as I spent a small fortune on line?? Hey-ho happy days!!!!!!

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