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Is this the final journey

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User
Posted 22 Sep 2022 at 15:14

Hi,


Just had call from oncology that I have to stop taking olaparib. This medication has been working well since last January. The nurse said that Mt last CT scan is showing lymph nodes being affected and that the decision in now to offer me chemotherapy. 


Can anyone give me an idea of how long a 6 week chemo session will stop cancer growing and what comes after chemo. 


I have an appointment face to face to discuss the chemo option at oncology on 4th Oct. The worry is that this is my last line of defence. 


TIA

User
Posted 17 Oct 2022 at 13:01

Donachadh...my husband was diagnosed stage 4 in April 2022. Has just finished 6 sessions of chemotherapy and apart from neck and joint pains for 48 to 73 hrs after each session with some measure of fatigue, he managed it very well. he continued to farm albeit at a lesser level and rested when tired. He lost some of his hair but it has grown back quite quickly to a blond colour instead of a red head. I'm sure you will also do very well on your chemo and remember the staff in the  oncology units are brilliant at supporting you also.  So  good luck and best wishes.


Ann

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 18:38

good to hear Mathew long may it continue good luck with your treatment going forward hope both off you keep doing well and moving forward πŸ‘

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 19:00

Thanks Gaz, same best wishes to you and yours!


 

User
Posted 07 Nov 2022 at 14:45

Hi. Ive just had my 28th chemo and never really had any major problems with it. Lost a bit of hair and it came back curly which was interesting. I've been on and off chemo for 5 years now and its become a way of life. Doesn't stop me doing what I want to do and am still very active. Keep positive!

User
Posted 07 Nov 2022 at 16:42
Chemo for prostate cancer - the most common is docetaxel which is usually given as one course of 6 infusions or one course of 10 infusions. Infusions are given every 3 weeks. If a man responds well to docetaxel it can be done again in the future. When docetaxel stops working, cabazitaxel can be used instead - usually one course of 6 infusions and, again, if it is effective and well tolerated it can be repeated. There are also situations where other chemo are used.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 10:39
You should not be in pain to a level 9 you must raise that with your GP, Macmillan nurse and hospital consultant..
User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 13:17
Ask whether you can be referred to the pain clinic or to your local hospice for a pain meds assessment.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 23 Dec 2022 at 20:37

Was with a guy at city hospital gave him 6 months in 2017  still here on my last check up keep battling  gaz πŸ‘

User
Posted 24 Dec 2022 at 04:47

Glad to hear your positivity keep up the battle it's a terrible desease we are all battling all the best keep in touch gaz 

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User
Posted 22 Sep 2022 at 16:25
You can take multiple courses of chemo, depending how well you tolerate it. No chemo is fun, but the type of chemo used for prostate cancer is much less tough on the body than that for some other cancers. There are people on the board who’ve taken ten or more courses and it’s kept them going for years.

Best wishes,

Chris
User
Posted 25 Sep 2022 at 03:55

I didn't realise you can do more that 1 chemo sessions shows you how much I know about treatment ..lol.. I'll look into ordering wigs


Thanks for your reply it's reassuring to hear it can last longer than I thought.

User
Posted 25 Sep 2022 at 12:17
Yes you can have chemo more than once and if docetaxel isn't effective, they may offer you cabazitaxel instead. But you are a young man and if not already done so, it is time to get a referral to nacnillan or your local hospice to start planning end of life stuff ... better to do it now than when you are actually at end of life. The hospice team will have people who can help you plan things like where you want to be, they are usually far better than the hospital or GP at managing pain and will know how to get any equipment you might need as things progress. The appointment on 4th is also the time to start talking about finances - if the onco has a reasonable belief that you may have less than 6 months to live, they can complete a form which gets you financial help. 6 months sounds brutal but many oncos or specialist nurses will sign it if they think you have less than 12 months. This benefit is very important as it will help you pay for any specialist equipment, home assistance, waking night staff, etc
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 25 Sep 2022 at 16:16

I'm worth about 50p I have no finances to pass on. Also have the D1500 in place which helped with applying for benefits. Yes knowing my time is limited is indeed brutal something I find hard to deal with.


Thanks for the reply

User
Posted 25 Sep 2022 at 19:47
You are already receiving PIP?

I didn't say anything about passing on an inheritance ... I am all for spending every penny you can get your hands on on making your life the best it can be!
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 15:01

Yup PIP and esa is what I'm on. Saves me having to worry about work!

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 15:08

Like me, you’re far too young to be in this position. I wish you well. This a tough and often lonely pathway isn’t it. 

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 17:17

Far too young to be thinking that the end of treatment may not be that long away, still have bucket lists i want to achieve. This chemo will be interesting and thinking of just chopping things off like hair and nails... but you need a humour and I have a great woman by my side who helps with daily grief of it all. Thanks for your reply.

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 17:22

Just a quick note ref Chemo - I was diagnosed at 52 in April with stage 4 Gleason 9 (no symptoms)…well anyway I just finished 6 cycles of Docataxel chemo and experienced no head hair loss (in fact it grew) and no impact on my nails (one of my biggest worries). 


Hope springs eternal :)

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 18:38

good to hear Mathew long may it continue good luck with your treatment going forward hope both off you keep doing well and moving forward πŸ‘

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 18:48

I hope I'm just as lucky. I've ordered a cold cap but will just have to see what happens to one's hair and nails. 

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 19:00

Thanks Gaz, same best wishes to you and yours!


 

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 19:02

Good luck with it all. There’s every chance you’ll take chemo in your stride. Keep us posted. 

User
Posted 16 Oct 2022 at 20:26

It's a thought indeed but I'm sure I will manage it just fine 😁

User
Posted 17 Oct 2022 at 13:01

Donachadh...my husband was diagnosed stage 4 in April 2022. Has just finished 6 sessions of chemotherapy and apart from neck and joint pains for 48 to 73 hrs after each session with some measure of fatigue, he managed it very well. he continued to farm albeit at a lesser level and rested when tired. He lost some of his hair but it has grown back quite quickly to a blond colour instead of a red head. I'm sure you will also do very well on your chemo and remember the staff in the  oncology units are brilliant at supporting you also.  So  good luck and best wishes.


Ann

User
Posted 17 Oct 2022 at 23:04

You might be interested in looking at Polybalm for protecting nails during chemo.
One guy in a local support group used it, except he couldn't get it in time for the first session. He got a bit of damage from the first session, but nothing after that. Developed by the same guy who did Pomi-T.

User
Posted 18 Oct 2022 at 13:21

I'll look into that thank-you.

User
Posted 07 Nov 2022 at 14:45

Hi. Ive just had my 28th chemo and never really had any major problems with it. Lost a bit of hair and it came back curly which was interesting. I've been on and off chemo for 5 years now and its become a way of life. Doesn't stop me doing what I want to do and am still very active. Keep positive!

User
Posted 07 Nov 2022 at 15:52

I was informed that I will only get 1 chemo treatment but I see on here people get more. Be interesting to know if I picked it up right or not.

User
Posted 07 Nov 2022 at 16:42
Chemo for prostate cancer - the most common is docetaxel which is usually given as one course of 6 infusions or one course of 10 infusions. Infusions are given every 3 weeks. If a man responds well to docetaxel it can be done again in the future. When docetaxel stops working, cabazitaxel can be used instead - usually one course of 6 infusions and, again, if it is effective and well tolerated it can be repeated. There are also situations where other chemo are used.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 05:33

Away to start 4th cycle next week. Issue is I getting into a lot of pain round y back and pelvic area. The aim is for oncology to increase steroids as this may be the cause. However if not I'll expect another 5 painful days and they ain't easy if I was asked out of 10 pain scale it would be 9 and it rarely goes away. I'm on docetctal every 3 weeks. Has anyone had experience of this at all be good to hear what others  have done 

User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 10:39
You should not be in pain to a level 9 you must raise that with your GP, Macmillan nurse and hospital consultant..
User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 13:17
Ask whether you can be referred to the pain clinic or to your local hospice for a pain meds assessment.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 21 Dec 2022 at 16:17

Im in hospital now and getting a full mot! Pallitative care are involved and awaiting ct and mri scan 


Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it.


Thanks for your replies

User
Posted 23 Dec 2022 at 20:26

Well they got to the bottom of the scan and made a 6 month prognosis which is not good. They found the chemotherapy wasn't working and I no longer have any treatment options left. Thought I may have another 2 years to go gutted with 6 months. At least you'll not have to put up with my posts anymore!

User
Posted 23 Dec 2022 at 20:37

Was with a guy at city hospital gave him 6 months in 2017  still here on my last check up keep battling  gaz πŸ‘

User
Posted 23 Dec 2022 at 22:46

Yup Gaz I'll keep battling the light will stay on in this fight. Good to hear about the guy on your list still being here and hope I can do the same. I guess my issue that my cancer is very aggressive doesn't seem to be taking any prisoners!

User
Posted 24 Dec 2022 at 04:47

Glad to hear your positivity keep up the battle it's a terrible desease we are all battling all the best keep in touch gaz 

 
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