What does this all mean?

Sorry

Dave

Just read your chemo advice for Steve's dad which was very helpful for me as well as I'm about to embark on the first of my 6 Chemo sessions on Monday 1/10.

Many thanks

John

Hello everyone, 

Just an update regarding my Dad. 

He had his appointment with the oncologist today which mainly focused on the recommendation to start Chemotherapy treatment. The oncologist broke down the reasons why chemotherapy is recommended at this stage, how the process will work and all potential side effects involved, possible infection being highlighted as one to be mindful of especially.

Dad consented to the chemotherapy today and will receive a phone call in a week or so to book in the first of cycles 2/3 weeks after that. My dad is very scared about having chemo, the impact it will have on him and how it will affect his life so he is actually still debating about whether to have it or not. I think/hope he will go ahead with it.

One of the big things that I took away from the appointment today was the Dr saying that the average life expectancy after diagnosis of metasticised PC is 3-5 years and that early use of chemotherapy can extend this by up to 15 months. I already knew the average benefit of chemo but the average life expectancy did come as a bit of a shock. I know that there are people who have lived much longer than that with PC and it is only an average number but just hearing that struck a strong chord with me.

I hope everyone else out there is doing well and enjoying life as much as possible.

Many thanks for reading and as always any thoughts/feedback/comments are greatly appreciated.

Take care, 

Steve 

Just a quick one for now as am still lazing in the sunshine in Cyprus!

That average figure that shocked you scared the hell out of me when I read the results of the STAMPEDE trial that resulted in the recommendation of early chemotherapy. That figure doesn’t take into account the men with prostate cancer who would be/are still alive after the five year period anyway. I hope you can make sense of that.

I’ll send you a longer message in a couple of days but for now - Paul told me he was reasonably fit and healthy so that puts him in at a good starting point for chemotherapy.

Take care

Dave

Hi Dave, 

Thanks or the message. Dad's struggled with the side effects after his first cycle of chemo. He was in hospital for a couple of days last week. He's at the 10 day mark now so is starting to feel better.

If you have a chance to drop him a line in te next couple of days I think he'd really appreciate it. 

Thank you for sharing your news and I'm glad to hear that your Dr is positive about your results. Let's hope it stays that way as long as possible going forwards!

Many thanks, 

Steve 

Hello everyone, 

I just wanted to pop the latest update of my dad's treatment to this thread. 

My dad has had one course chemotherapy which was at the end of October which unfortunately he suffered quite a severe reaction to. Due to the reaction it was decided by his oncologist that he should not have his second round of chemo in mid November. Throughout this time he has continued to have hormone therapy and regular blood tests.

He met with his oncologist on Wednesday last week and was advised that having more chemotherapy was unproductive due to te reaction my dad suffered with. So he will continue with the hormone injections every 3 months and has also been prescribed hormone medication to take. His oncologist also informed him that his psa level has dropped down to 10.

I didn't go to this appointment with my dad but he was very positive when telling me how it went, relieved that he didn't have to have any more chemo (for now at least) and it's obviously very good news that his psa level has dropped from 51 to 10 in 3 months. Fingers crossed it will continue in a downward trajectory and with close monitoring from his gp and oncologist any negative change in psa level will be acted upon swiftly.

Many thanks, 

Steve