I had every faith in our large hospital, the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and praised them to anybody who would listen.
The Top Cancer Doc told me that my treatment would stop on the 6th Course. My Record Book says 9 courses. On the 6th course, another Doc told me treatment would continue because I was reacting so well (from 70 down to 10 PSA). On the 7th treatment, yet another Doc seemed surprised to see my rotten Finger and Toenails, and went away to confer with colleagues. He came back - handed me a PSA request form and told me I would receive a letter of Appointment for 3 months time - - - - and walked out the door. (My PSA was now down to 7.5 in just 3 weeks)
My daughter took me for a snack, but it took me several hours to get my head round the fact that I had more or less just been "patted on the head - - and pushed out the door" - - so to speak.
At home, I e-mailed the Urology Nurses to ask about "stepping down" from the sudden stop in treatment, - pointing out that the Prednisolone Steroid instructions said that one should NOT stop suddenly. (I had 14 tablets left over from 7 days that I had missed over 5 months). I had suggested stepping down by 1 per day. The reply - - from the top Doc was to continue the tablets till the next Clinic. I replied by pointing out that I had 14 tablets, which would not last the 90 days till the next "Clinic". After 5 days, I have not yet received a reply. I have not heard from my Specialist Nurse Mentor for some time - but allowed for holidays and shortage of staff.
Was it something I said ? ? ? ? ?
I know I have survived the Chemo surprisingly well for my 80 years, but this abrupt stop to the treatment without any sort of "pep talk" about stepping down, strikes me as absolutely bizarre. I feel as if I have been "stonewalled". Some tips about recovery from the dead Finger and Toenails would have been reassuring too.
I absolutely HATE to complain about anything the NHS & Trusts do, but being virtually pushed out the door without even the SLIGHTEST instruction or explanation, strikes me as mindboggling.
Cheers Dan
