Update 1st November 2024

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excavator

1 Nov 2024

It's now 5 weeks since my my last chemo and I have good, bad and indifferent updates to report:

GOOD:

Last PSA result from test on 21/10/24 remained at <0.05. Next test due 12/11/24 prior to meeting with consultant.
Fatigue and shortness of breath now much better and hardly interferes with normal activity. I'm now up to at least 10,000 steps daily.
Eyes have stopped watering and back to normal.
Slight numbness in feet has gone.
Weight maintained, no gain.

BAD:

Developed an infection in right thumb on 19/10, reoprted to chemo unit 20/10 and antibiotics started. Didn't work, infection worsened so dose doubled 4 days later. Further 5 days antibiotics prescribed later as infection not entirely clear (subsequently cleared by 30/10).
Middle finger of left hand became swollen and red on 29/10, visited chemo unit on 01/11 and blood test showed no infection markers so suspected this might not be infected but related to side effects of nail damage (see bullet below). To be reviewed next week.
Most finger nails have now turned red / black, are deformed and painful to touch. It's possible some or all nails will fall out after which they will slowly re-grow. In the meantime handling anything is difficult and very painful - and I'm officially excused from all household chores for the time being!

INDIFFERENT:

No re-growth of hair yet, but it's early days. I was born ginger, so am eagerly awaiting re-growth to see if it comes back this colour first.

It's disappointing to get new late-developing problems at a time when I thought I'd be making some progress but that's life. Further updates to follow as and when there's something to report.

Millibob 21 days ago

Keep going - you are doing great - it will all be worth it in the end.

Best wishes - Brian.
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excavator 21 days ago in reply to Millibob

Thank you Brian.

Hope you're having a splendid break.
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Chrispea 20 days ago

Hi Excavator,

Your update following your treatment is interesting, I like you would have thought these late symptoms wouldn’t have happened after finishing treatment.

The finger problems sound a real pain but your team are all over it.

The good news headlines are great, PSA level..fantastic, long may that continue. Fitness, general condition improvements fantastic.

Still benchmarking your journey against mine. Just had round 4. First few days feeling a little more fatigued than this time last round. Nurses said bloods still holding up although down from last time, to expect more side effects. Prior to round 3 PSA was 0.12, nurse wouldn’t tell me again this time, have to wait for the consultant in a week or so, fingers crossed.

usual aches and pains nothing paracetamol can’t help with.

Keep the posts coming when you can, they are really helpful. Just that feeling of not being alone in this battle.

all the best

Chris.
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Dignahtee 20 days ago

Well done with all the positive news. Late sie-effects are a right pain though. Hopefully, the fingers and nails will all recover in time? Good luck with the hair regrowth, will you get chemo-curls? My niece did, very fetching!
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excavator 19 days ago in reply to Chrispea

I know Chris, I couldn't believe the finger problems started so long after. I lost my right thumbnail this morning and a few others are loose so it looks like they'll be off shortly. My wife had to tie my shoelaces for me yesterday - the last time that happened was when my mother had to tie them when I was at infant school. Hopefully this will be the last hurdle for me.

I hope your PSA shows a nice drop when you find out the latest result from your consultant, and that you escape the finger problems as well as the worst of the fatigue.

All the best,

Derek.
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