Update 1st November 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.