Hi Everyone,
I sincerely apologise for not replying to the many kind comments posted on my thread, but truth be known, I’ve been offline for 2 years, for multiple reasons, and also moving house, but we’re now settled again, having moved closer to our daughter, to make life a little easier all round.
I am still fighting on, and in comparative good health. Yes, I live with the ongoing shortness of breath (brought on after any exertion / lengthy conversation etc). I have an inhaler, but try not to using it too often. My old peripheral neuropathy is still a daily feature, so I guess I have it for the long haul, somewhat aggravated in my left foot following my post-chemo drama on my stairwell when my blue merle collie (Sky) struck my legs in excitement, sending me flying downhill on my back at speed for the full length of the stairs, hitting my bare foot against the bannister and rolling into a crumpled mass on the hall tiles! My wife later told a neighbour that she didn’t know whether “to call the ambulance or call a vet for the dog”, as Sky had ended up under my crumpled legs !
Anyway… My PSA has remained under 10 for over 2 years, which has been down to the expertise of my wonderful consultant. Following my 2017 chemo (Docetaxel) and ADT (Zoladex) treatment package, he continued to monitor my PSA with 3-monthly blood checks. As /when there was a slight gain in value, he would authorise my having a 3-month dose of Zoladex ADT abdominal injection, (* painful, wide bore needle, but very effective!) We agreed to employ this staged usage of Zoladex, as he was keen to prevent the cancer mutating, rendering the ADT less effective against controlling the feeding of the cancer (* feeding in my testosterone) . His strategy seems to have been highly effective, and despite several new metastases in the body (* I am now formally in the Advanced Prostate Cancer category), the beast is still responding well to the ADT. Recently I moved across to Decapeptyl (a variant of Zoladex, and is given in the buttock, and hence less painful ! ).
During 2018, 2019 and 2020 I underwent repeated PET-Scans, with the 2018 one showing that the beast had lodged itself in my C7 spinal neck disc.Bad news. Still a round of SABR radiotherapy within 1.5 cms of my spinal cord sorted that one out, and to date it appears to have remained ‘dormant/not feeding’ on both the 2019 & 2020 PET Scans. Sadly my 2020 PET-Scan showed that I now have further metastasis on my rib cage, also on 2 other spinal discs (lower and mid spine), and in 5 pelvic lymph nodes (some being rather too close for comfort to my right kidney and my aorta)!. Alas…. We fight on.
I now accept that I have had a very good run. Back in 2011, my consultant stated he hoped to ‘buy me 5-7 years before the beast took over” Well he has done more that he hoped to achieve, and continues to offer brilliant care and guidance. With the ever changing face of Oncology & the recent advances in cancer gene therapy, I remain hopeful. Either way, I and m family will always be eternally grateful to the man that I have come to call my best friend, though he doesn’t know it! He has been so easy to talk to, always making time to listen and offer sympathetic discussion.
During our latest tel consultation he also explained why I was starting to 'expand around the waistline' whilst losing body mass around the upper body and my ams. Apparently it's all part of the long -term use of ADT therapy, affecting men in different ways, but body mass changes are a common side effect.
If anyone who is going through similar experiences, or if you are supporting a relative with PC, then please feel free to contact me, and I will offer any support I can. Everyone reacts differently to PC treatment, but knowing potential side effects, and the various options available, can be helpful.
Having had cancer for 13 years, I have now learnt to live with it, and although it never leaves my thoughts, I do not let it swamp the bigger picture…. my loving family, my dearest wife of 43 years, and my two wonderful (now adult) healthy children, and of course my 4-legged companion ... ** a present from my wife, my bonus for dealing with & surviving Chemo!
Now settled in Gloucestershire, with no intention of moving again!
Keep strong ...&
Keep safe from C-19.
Ian
Edited by member 19 Dec 2020 at 15:38
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