"The road ahead"!

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Posted 04 May 2017 at 18:19

Simple matter on the blood tests. I have a stock of forms all of which show the required tests, including PSA, as printed out by the Oncology Nurse at my last three weekly meeting to approve the next cycle. The Chemotherapy Nurse during the infusion puts the relevant figures: Hb, WBC, Plts,. Neuts and PSA into my personal treatment booklet. Perhaps all hospitals don't do this? If not, why not?

User

Posted 04 May 2017 at 20:09

Thanks AC--just looked at my form for my next bloods in 3 weeks and it's all "double Dutch" to me--tests being done are--U&E. LFT. Bone profile. And FBC And don't get me wrong I'm glad they are being done and for the treatment I'm getting but any ideas what those tests refer to?

User

Posted 05 May 2017 at 17:39

Urea and Electrolytes, Liver Function Tests, Full Blood Count. With PSA, same as mine. AC

User

Posted 10 May 2017 at 08:01

Ok--1st week of chemo/2 update----all in all I still feel fine, walking at least an hour daily, also cutting grass and generally tidying up in the garden, a bit of sunshine really helps doesn't it? I've had a few headaches on waking over the past few days but these seem to clear up during the mornings. Poor sleep pattern over past few days --but this could be due to the fact that I had to take 12 steroids prior to chemo/2 infusion plus now taking 2 a day for next 21 days? Also our old dog has decided that it's a good idea to start barking from about 4am to go out for a pee!!!!!! ---So once again, as yet, no major issues re chemo/2 and unless something else kicks in before next week I ll update again in approx a weeks time. Stay strong, all the best J.

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Posted 23 May 2017 at 06:32

Weeks 2/3 of chemo 2 update--other than a muzzy head for a few days in week 2 and a bout of the dreaded 'night sweats' after my 5th hormone injection last week all ok. So once again during this cycle only real side effect seems to be a few days fatigue spread out over the 3 weeks. Anyway off out for bloods this morning and If all' s well then it's Chemo/3 on Thursday. As previously I ll keep you posted as to progress. J.

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Posted 26 May 2017 at 20:25

Chemo/3 update--infusion yesterday all good and today I feel fine too--also good news on the PSA front as you ll see from my original post that my initial PSA reading in March was 1547 whereas its now down to 157 !! Obviously there's still work to do as I believe that under 5 is a good score for over 60's? However I ll take the current 157 with open arms hoping that it will come down even further during my next 3 planned hormone treatments and chemo sessions!! "Cruciferous veggies rule ok"!!!!!

User

Posted 26 May 2017 at 21:31

Nice one - tough breed you Valley boys!

User

Posted 01 Jun 2017 at 15:30

Chemo/3 week 1 update---first 7 days of this cycle not too bad--few headaches on days 3 and 4 other than that all ok--however my hair is now definetly thinning whilst my beard looks like Catsweezle so back to square one there then--ok now where's that bloody razor!!!!😜 Ps my 4th chemo infusion and my 5th 4 weekly hormone injection are both due on the 15th June, my specialist's say this is ok so I'm going for it--however just out of curiosity has anyone else had both treatments on the same day and if so, how did you cope.thanks.

User

Posted 08 Jun 2017 at 14:43

Chemo/3 week 2 update--much the same as last week however for the first time in a cycle my headaches and general lightheadnesses on waking have continued into week 2? Other than that all ok with appetite taste etc unaffected. I've also had a few additional days this week where I've been completely knackered in the afternoons, days 11--13, however this may well be down to me doing too much the day before feeling tired--as at the moment my mind-set is-- if you feel up to it do it !! Anyway as stated previously next week I've got both hormone injection and chemo infusion on the same day so let's see what that brings? Ps I've also got a C T scan on Tuesday to re-check my lungs as on my original scan in March some nodules were detected in this area so they are having another look to see if any changes are apparent? And again I ll post results next week in my final update from this cycle. All the best J.

User

Posted 14 Jun 2017 at 12:49

Ok just had a bit of a set-back in that I've just been informed that my PSA has risen from 157 in May, (originally 1571 in Feb), to 176.9 today??and whilst I ll be querying it at my next chemo session tmos, has anyone had a similar experience? and if so what caused the raise? E.g. Has my degaralix HT treatment failed after only 4 months? All comments gratefully received Thanks J.

User

Posted 14 Jun 2017 at 13:31

Hi Valleyboy,

Sorry i can't help with your questions but hope i can give you my support and best wishes with your treatment, chin up mate and keep fighting.

John.

User

Posted 14 Jun 2017 at 13:36

Sometimes the PSA rises while on chemo and it is not indicative of failure. Sometimes prostate cancer cells produce more PSA as they die off and/or as they try to fight off the attack.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 14 Jun 2017 at 19:24

Thanks for the support John, as up till now I've been really positive about this journey and just got caught out a bit by today's rise in PSA news???
Also thanks once again Lyn,--- very reassuring and as always a wealth of knowledge on all PSA issues, which I ll mention to my chemo team during my 4 th infusion tmos.

User

Posted 14 Jun 2017 at 20:13

Hi Valleyboy
I've been following your journey so far and want to send my best wishes and hope all goes well. My husband is a bit behind you and your posts have been so helpful to me, he is due to start Chemo in 2 weeks. I am just learning lots from the people who post here and really hope you can get some answers soon. Sorry I can't help but feel for you.

User

Posted 15 Jun 2017 at 23:54

Thanks hiitsme hope all goes well in two weeks and as you can see from my journey to date it hasn't been so bad has it?

Chemo/4 day one update----triple whammy day started with 12 dissolveable steroids tabs!! Followed by HT injection at 09.00 Then up to hospital for chemo/4 infusion 10-30--14-00. Discussed my 20 point rise in PSA with my onco and she isn't too concerned at the moment as she stated that as I started with such a high number fluctuations can occur, however she ll review it again before my next infusion in 3 weeks time, and depending on which way it goes will action accordingly. Also been told not to undertake any vigorous exercise!!! For 48 hours prior to my next test thus giving a more accurate reading. At the moment (23-50), all going well with no undue reactions. In fact I'm now lying in bed watching the US Open golf because as usual today's steroid intake means im wide awake?? Again as usual unless something dramatic crops up Over the next few days I ll update weekly during this 4th chemo cycle. all the best comrades----J.

User

Posted 22 Jun 2017 at 19:54

Chemo/4--week 1 update--met with my Onco's assistant during infusion last week and she stated, (following consultation with onco), that they aren't too concerned with last weeks 20 point rise in PSA as due to the high level I started with fluctuation can occur for a myriad of reasons, e.g. Doing too much prior to blood tests, etc. However if it goes up again prior to my next infusion, (1st week of July), then a full review may be required. As for the general situation during chemo/4, other than annoying headaches on waking coupled with extensive tiredness in the afternoons everything else seems ok. Still eating ok with little or no pain, but chemo/4 has definetly left its mark as even tho I've still got a covering of hair all over my head, you can now see straight through to my scalp!! so let's see if its still there for the next two weeks?? Hope your all coping as well as possible---J.

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 16:23

Chemo/4--week 2 update--couple of new symptoms which I haven't had before--chesty cough ( for which I've been taking standard over the counter cough medicine), and a shortness of breath when walking up stairs etc--has anyone out there had experience of this and how long did it last? I've had it approx 5 days. Phoned my chemo Unit yesterday for advice and they went through a telephone check list---daily temps ok--no loss of taste or appetite--no constipation/dioreha--no pins and needles so no need to go in to hospital, but to phone again if anything changes---all replies gratefully received--Thanks J.

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 18:59

Early indication of pneumonia?

Probably not, I'm over sensitive to any signs of pneumonia at present since it has totally f'ed up my summer. My pneumonia was only picked up from an X-ray.

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 19:59

Hi Valleyboy,

Once again a reply to your post has been zapped by the system. I have been assured that this does not happen but IT DOES. Either someone is censoring posts or the system has a fault. So this is a repeat entry!

Anyway, to my point, breathlessness is a well known side effect of docetaxel use for both men and women. I had it in the fourth cycle and it is worse in the fifth. No other problems. I checked my peak flow and that is fine too. I shall discuss it with my oncologist next week and hope that in subsequent cycles it does not become disabling. For someone who is as fit as a fiddle, it isn't much fun to be puffing and blowing when returning from buying the paper in the morning, perhaps a mile and a half, 25 mins, down and then uphill. You have my sympathies, but I reckon you may have to grin (or scowl) and bear it like me!

User

Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 13:06

Thanks Col, and whist I'm not dismissing it, as I have no other flu-like symptoms and my breathing is fine when sitting or lying down I'm hoping it's not pneumonia related--ps hope your coping with everything that's being thrown at you at the moment?

A. C. Thanks for the reassurance--And as "Big Brother" may be vetting this site??? I ll reply in code!!!!!!
Breathlessness and cough much better today, however that may be down to the fact that I haven't done anything today other than read the paper and watch some news features? Let's See how I feel tmos and then I ll consider getting my walking shoes back on because as you say, it's so frustrating to be puffing like a steam train after a short walk when thankfully up to date, the chemo sessions haven't curtailed my exercise regime to any great extent? I've also got chemo/5 next Thursday (6th) so at least I'm prepared for this side effect now, and I too will be raising these issues with my team next week.---thanks J.

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