Hi everyone
We are back from our visit to Oxford Churchill with good news on Radium 223. They are willing to go ahead as they feel that we are able to react quickly to signs of infection and they will monitor. We will go up twice a month, once for bloods and an oncology visit and the following week for treatment. I had resigned myself to this being ruled out on the basis of infection risk but am delighted that they are going to go ahead. The doctor was simply fantastic, she read John the riot act about taking painkillers (he avoids like the plague) as she said it would improve his quality of life. I once again had to contradict him on how he is. Oh he said I've been fine for the last two weeks (he was better yesterday, he's been very poorly for weeks). He also said that he never rests in the day, whereas he's hardly been out of bed in the last few weeks! I think the doctor realised that his memory isn't the best, but mine is ok. Phew. On the journey home I mentioned about the painkillers and he said yes I shall take paracetamol twice a day - argh!!
Good job I love this lovely man, but I do wish I could make him understand that life has been utterly miserable recently and if painkillers can contribute to a better quality of life, he must take them. I will chat to our hospice nurse about this aspect as it's a real worry.
He has to stop taking the diethylstillbestroll, aspirin, ranatadine and calceos, so that's four drugs less anyway.
Doctor also said that Radium 223 does not necessarily reduce the PSA, so that's good to know.
I think we will start the new regime in about four weeks time.
Cheers all
Devonmaid