8 Weeks Post Chemo

1 minute read time.

It's now 8 weeks since my last chemo cycle. I saw my consultant last week who officially passed me onto long term HT and Darolutamide treatments with a blood test and initially alternating telephone (with CNS) and face to face (with consultant) reviews at 12 week intervals. 

Blood test results prior to consultant meeting were all good, and PSA remains undetectable.

With one exception all side effects have virtually gone. Unfortunately I continue to have problems with painful fingers and nails. One nail has gone, one is hanging on by the cuticle, one is showing no signs of doing anything it should and the remainder which are discoloured and deformed are in the process of growing out. I'm told this should take a month or so to resolve, but given progress to date it looks more like several to me. Hopefully it will be quicker.

Now with chemo side effects mostly cleared I can determine whether HT and Darolutamide are causing any problems. I've been asked to keep an eye on my blood pressure (all is normal so far) and I have an annual blood test with GP next week which will look at blood sugar amongst other things. Other than that there's nothing significant at the moment - hot flushes are virtually non existent, I am maintaining a steady weight (getting more exercise now) but do seem to have a few more aches and pains although nothing to be too concerned about yet. 

My hair is now growing back and at the moment looks a little darker than it used to be.

Hopefully the fingernail problem will now resolve itself and the new normal will be established. 

It's a relief to be feeling more like normal again and Mrs E and I are busy planning what we hope will be the first of many holidays somewhere sunny and warm early in the new year - we have some catching up to do and we intend to make the most of it while we can.

Will post further updates when there is more to report.

Anonymous
  • Wow   - well the Chemotherapy looks to have done the job and apart from the nails you look like you are doing great, and long may this continue. I love the bit about the PSA being undetectable.

    Mrs M and I find that holidays are just the tonic - we are lucky having a place in Turkey and I always feel better when I am in the sun and warm - it's just good to get away!! Sunglasses.

    Thank you for the blogs - it's a great tool for anyone who may be facing this in the future (gulps!!) and it just shows with the correct mindset it's not all as bad as it sounds.

    Kind Regards - Brian.

  • Thank you Brian, as you'll imagine I also liked the non detectable bit, I've been fortunate so far but of course it's early days.

    Some sun and warmth would certainly have been welcome after today's weather.

  • This sounds quite good?  Well done on the return of your hair! Hopefully the nails will recover over the next few months. I'm now three weeks post final chemo, still fatigued but appetite beginning to be more normal.

  • Hi Excavator,

    Really positive update, wonderful that your starting to plan ahead holidays etc. PSA is doing its stuff, so pleased for you. I’m sure the nail thing will resolve itself quickly.

    just had my 5th round, bit more fatigued plus the usual bits I’ve had each time all slightly worse. Unfortunately my PSA showed a slight rise by 0.06 to 0.18, oncology wasn’t too concerned, but it’s that psychological stress. Nothing I can do about it so…

    please keep posting 

    I have RT afterwords so that’s gonna be another hurdle to sort out..

    all the very best.

    Chris.

  • Yes Dignahtee, not at all bad really.

    I found the fatigue lifted quite suddenly over just a couple of days, so hopefully you'll have the same. It was nice to be able to move about without becoming exhausted almost instantly.

    All the best,

    Derek.