Cheshire Chris's Treatment Thread

User

Posted 15 Mar 2022 at 17:12

Got a phone call yesterday morning asking me to go to Arrowe Park hospital (where the people leaving Wuhan in China were first quarantined for possible exposure to Covid - gosh, that does seem a long time ago and a different world, doesn't it?) for my "missed" chest CT scan. In and out in 5 minutes because it was done without contrast. Got a call this morning from the urology nurse saying that the scan was clear - how's that for fast scan reporting! - so next scan will be in a year's time.

Next on the agenda is my 6-monthly PSA check and telephone consultation with the specialist nurses at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre where I was treated. That'll be early May.

So good news all round!

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 15 Mar 2022 at 17:38

Great news from one Cheshire Chris to another 😆

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 07:09

Great news Chris x

regards barbara

User

Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 15:30

My 6-monthly phone appointment with my excellent cancer nurse is next week, so I had a preparatory PSA test on Thursday. The results have come back as 1.2, which is good. I had my RT in Feb/Mar 2019, and my PSA history since then has been:

2.0: Oct 19

1.4: Apr 20

1.5: Oct 20

1.5: Mar 21

1.2: Oct 21

1.3: Jan 22

1.2: Apr 22

So it seems that approaching three and a half years after RT I'm still at my nadir, which is great.

Waiting for tests never gets easier. If anything I find myself more stressed out waiting for my test results now than ever. In the future I'll try to have a test on a Monday or Tuesday so I won't have to wait over a weekend, I think 😁. I don't know about anyone else, but for me the mental aspects of prostate cancer have been worse than the physical ones, and it's a life sentence. Oh well, I can put it out of my mind again until November now.

Cheers,

Chris

Edited by member 25 Apr 2022 at 15:37 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 15:38

Good news Chris 👍.

And I agree the mental side of this disease along with the HT have wreaked havoc with my mind. Not so good at the moment waiting to find out if my PCa has become castrate resistant….

Take care

Phil

User

Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 17:13

It’s been awhile since I finished treatment. My Triptorelin effect expired October 2020. I was undetectable PSA then, now I’ve had three six monthly checks all at PSA 0.4

User

Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 19:05

Mate that’s REALLY good news and I’m so pleased for you. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t get stressed with results , but ever since deemed incurable I tend to just crack on with work and keep myself occupied. I guess what will be will be and I can’t change anything. It was emotionally very tough waiting 5 weeks for my latest bone and ct scan results , even though the psa was still good. In honesty I’m more at the stage where I’m concerned about freedom to travel and get insurance and pack in as much as I can , than worry about bad results because they are inevitable ( agent Smith , Matrix ).

Keep on soldiering on 👍👍

User

Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 22:00

Yes Chris, I passed the 70 mark 2 weeks ago and decided to get on with life, got a new grandson very late December, a surprise from my 42 year old youngest girl! Something to look forward to is every weeks visit

shes decided to marry long term partner end of May he’s 51 so I think they must have worked hard at it😂

It seems such a long time ago we were both in the real dark times

User

Posted 21 May 2022 at 20:27

Not the best of days 🙁. Nothing to do with prostate cancer, but I was woken up about 3am this morning by the most agonising pain in my groin - like being stabbed. Thought I’d maybe pulled a muscle, but I stuck it out until mid morning then went to my local GP walk-in centre. He reckons I’ve got an “inguinal hernia” and it’ll need surgery. Got to go and see my own GP on Monday and hopefully get an urgent urology referral. Not what I was hoping for. The pain’s eased off a bit, but still extremely uncomfortable. Could have done without this 🙂.

Oh well, such is life…

Chris

User

Posted 21 May 2022 at 20:30

Hope you are sorted soon like most off us on here been through the mill enough let's all have a bit off luck for a change hope you get treatment asap 👍

User

Posted 21 May 2022 at 20:49

Hi Chris

I agree just as things seem to be going okay there is always something going to jump up and kick you in the nuts

I have been feeling really good lately and two weeks ago I let a friend talk me into cycling the coast to coast route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. Everything went okay and I survived it over the three days. Two days after getting back my left eye started going black from the bottom upwards. Luckily I saw a specialist who told me I had a detached retina I needed immediate surgery which I got at a specialist eye hospital near me. While I was there they checked my right eye and found a tear in my eye retina which they fixed at the same time.

Initial treatment was seven days laying on my side to allow the retina to reattach after surgery, painful as hell and boring too! I’m allowed up tomorrow for the first time can’t wait

User

Posted 22 May 2022 at 06:02

Omg horror story..

User

Posted 22 May 2022 at 09:05

Hope the treatment works 100% - wishing you a speedy recovery

User

Posted 23 May 2022 at 19:35

Just an update on the above. I went to see my own GP this morning, and he doesn't think that the pain is due to a hernia. He suspects that it may be a surgical adhesion. He's arranging an ultrasound scan which will hopefully provide more information.

Chris

User

Posted 23 May 2022 at 19:40

Chris, Hope everything goes well and you get a path to resolution.

User

Posted 23 May 2022 at 19:59

Cheers, TechGuy. I'm somewhat concerned about being left with long-term pain that nobody can do anything about. Fingers crossed that won't happen!

Chris

User

Posted 23 May 2022 at 20:02

Thanks for the supportive messages, Pallance. Very sorry to hear about your eye problems - I do hope everything's on the mend now. As you rightly say, it does seem like a long time ago now that we first spoke. We've both been through a lot since then! Enjoy the new grandson ❤️.

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 23 May 2022 at 22:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hope you get sorted out soon chris and will be feeling better 🤞🏼

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 06:10

I'm 60 today! That somehow seems like a significant milestone in my life, and one that I seriously thought that I might not reach when I was first diagnosed in 2018 at the age of 55. It's certainly been an "eventful" four and a bit years since then, but here I am, if not "fit and well" then at least "well", and enjoying life to the full.

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 07:17

Chris, happy birthday,🎂.

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 07:42

Nice one Chris and Happy Birthday 🥳

That’s my next goal but very unlikely. Strange isn’t it when you get your new debit card that lasts 10 years or a value years supply of cod liver oil , then wonder if you’re still gonna be around.

Have a good celebration 👍👏

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 08:02

Happy birthday Chris...

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 09:29

Hi Chris

hope you had a good birthday. x

regards barbara x

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 09:47

Happy 60th Chris, hope you have a lovely day celebrating x

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 10:00

Happy Birthday Chris, have a lovely day 🥳

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 12:32

Happy birthday, enjoy.
Leila x

User

Posted 01 Aug 2022 at 15:39

Thanks for the kind wishes, everyone!

Chris

User

Posted 02 Aug 2022 at 17:14

Chris,

I have just finished reading your story(to date) and I find it both informative and inspirational, thanks for sharing it. I am very early in this journey and at times finding it hard to come to terms with my diagnosis. The last few days have been tough with mood swings partly down to anxiety (uncertainty over diagnosis and treatment), and partly down to the changes going on in my body. It’s a strange feeling of sadness and emptiness is the best way I can describe it. Your post has helped me considerably and I’m determined to keep as active and busy as possible as I find that keeps me feeling positive.
So, it’s back to long walks. I also find getting out on my eBike a great way of both having fun and keeping fit.. I bought this during lockdown and it kept me going and smiling through these difficult times. it’s one of the best investments(not cheap) I have made. It is so much fun-some people say it’s cheating but if you’ve not been a regular cyclist it’s a great way of getting into it and keeping fit without overdoing it if your energy levels are not quite what they were….and you can always switch your motor off(as I do frequently) for a more challenging ride.

I will also be rejoining my local council gym to try and build up my muscles as I know muscle loss is a side effect of hormone therapy.

so thanks again and all the best for the future - I will continue to follow your journey closely.

Derek

User

Posted 02 Aug 2022 at 22:47

Belated Happy Returns Chris!! Again, many thanks for all the advice early on in my diagnosis, it was extremely helpful in negotiating the minefield of which treatment option to choose. Cheers!!

User

Posted 04 Aug 2022 at 06:17

Happy belated birthday

User

Posted 08 Oct 2022 at 19:08

Many months ago, I asked my GP for a referral for breast reduction surgery, which he was happy to provide after I gave him the reference to the NICE guidelines which state that, although a cosmetic procedure, it can be funded by the NHS in cases where it’s the result of prostate cancer hormone therapy. I’ve finally got an appointment at the “Breast Reconstruction Clinic” at Bolton hospital for this coming Friday. I rather suspect I’ll be the only man there! Apparently in order to be funded it has to cause “mental anguish”, so I’ll be practising my best “mentally anguished” look 😁.

We shall see what happens!

Cheers,

Chris

Edited by member 08 Oct 2022 at 21:52 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 08 Oct 2022 at 21:59

Good luck Chris. You deserve to be treated whatever , as if you’ve sought treatment then you are anguished. And you didn’t deserve cancer. Luckily neither 1 yr of Bical and 2 yrs of Deca have caused me any problems moob-wise.

User

Posted 08 Oct 2022 at 23:54

Just Google 'best compo faces' and then practice in a mirror.

In all seriousness, I think the important thing is not to go into the appointment and minimise how you are affected. I think your default position is to make the best of things and downplay the difficulties but the breast reduction clinic is not the place to do that!

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

User

Posted 09 Oct 2022 at 10:48

Thanks, Chris and Lyn.Yes, I shall certainly not do the "it doesn't bother me" thing for the clinic. I mean, it's not something I lose any sleep over, but I would like to get it sorted out of it's feasible to do so!

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 15 Oct 2022 at 12:20

Went to the breast clinic yesterday. Bolton hospital is a huge site with dozens of buildings and it took me ages to find the right one. Fortunately I'd allowed plenty of time 🙂.

I was examined by a very pleasant lady, who appeared on the staff list as "Miss X", so I'm assuming she was a surgeon. She examined me, agreed that it could certainly be treated, and explained what the different surgical procedures entailed (including having your nipples turn black and fall off if they lose blood supply!). Next step is a need to have medical photographs taken (appointment for that one Monday) and then she needs to go to a board of some sort and request funding for the procedure.

Just received a follow-up clinical appointment for 28th April next year, so clearly this isn't going to be a rapid process!

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 17 Oct 2022 at 16:27

Back to the hospital today to have photographs of my manly chest taken. Thinking about asking for copies for this year's Christmas cards. I ticked the box on the consent form saying that my photos could be used for the edification of future generations of admiring medical students. Immortality at last!

Chris

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 09:26

Blood test this morning for my 6 monthly PSA test, three and a half years after finishing RT. No matter how often I do this, I still get sleepless nights waiting for the results, although there's absolutely no reason to suppose that it'll be anything other than fine. The mental aspects of this disease are worse than the physical in many ways.

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 13:00

Fingers crossed for you CC

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

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 13:06

True we are always anxious good luck Chris I am sure you will be fine 👍

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 13:12

🤞

Edited by member 18 Oct 2022 at 13:12 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 17:46

Thanks, all. I really should follow the advice I give to other people and just take things a day at a time and not play the “What if…” game, but strangely it’s much easier to give advice than to follow it 😁.

Chris

User

Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 18:45

Good luck Chris. My 4 month psa nearly 7 1/2 yrs on with T4 is on Thursday !! If I’m honest I’d forgotten. Yes it can be very frightening and was in the past for sure , but these days I’m so busy throwing myself at life that it dusts the PCa out of my mind mostly. Still doing a bit of farming and school volunteer reading. Just started as lollipop man at the same school , and have now joined our local model airplane club learning to fly a 1.5 metre wingspan trainer. I’ve not got the time to worry about it 😆😆😆

Good luck and keep the faith 🙏

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 01:44

Good luck Chris, as you say, follow your own brilliant advice.

Jamie.

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 08:11

Good luck CC...

Glad to hear you are still enjoying a bit of my farming CJ..

My latest toy is an amazing little drone I had as a 45 year long service present, I use it to check my sheep on my "retirement farm". Another great distraction from PSA anxiety.

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 10:37

Got the results back quickly, thankfully, and it’s good news. PSA is 1.0, which is the lowest I’ve had so far. My recent results are:

2.0: Oct 19

1.4: Apr 20

1.5: Oct 20

1.5: Mar 21

1.2: Oct 21

1.3: Jan 22

1.2: Apr 22

1.0 Oct 22

So I’m very happy with that!

Cheers,

Chris

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 12:14

Fantastic news Chris 😁

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 13:00

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Sounds as though you're keeping yourself busy, Chris! My main interests are music and art. I play English folk music on a variety of different instruments. None particularly well, but I thoroughly enjoy it and meet people too, which is the important thing 🙂. Same for painting - it's social and fun.

Very best wishes for your test tomorrow.

Chris

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 13:18

Brilliant news Chris, really pleased for you.

I know what you mean about being able to give good advice about not over worrying but not taking that advice yourself 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was listening to a Gaby Logan podcast about her husband being diagnosed with PCa. Robs surgeon was speaking on it and said how after the op (and of course relatable to other PCa treatments) PSA meaning changes from Prostate Specific Antigen to Persistent Stress and Anxiety! Made perfect sense to me!

Congrats again on a great result 👍

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 13:49

Fantastic news Chris. Very pleased for you.

Ido4

User

Posted 19 Oct 2022 at 20:59

Very nice result Chris. BTW I make some awful scraping noises on a fiddle. I've just started inflicting it on a local session.

Dave

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Cheshire Chris's Treatment Thread

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