It's nearly 3 months since my Chemotherapy was suddenly stopped, because it was affecting my Finger, and Toenails badly. My PSA reading at that time was 7.5 - down from 69.7 when the Chemo was started.
This afternoon (17/12/12) I went for my 3-monthly "follow-up" at the Cancer Clinic. The interview was fairly brief, because the "bottom line" was very positive. My reading was now 4.4 - down from 7.5.
What I was not aware of before, was that the Prednisolone Steroid treatment was also actually a form of treatment for Cancer. I was labouring under the impression that it was some sort of "counteracting supplement". Well, anyway, I was to carry on with the Steroids, and my other 3-monthly Zoladex Implants, which are a sort of capsule injected just below the skin in the Belly area near the Navel, and which dissipates over time (it's not as bad as it sounds) - - this is the ongoing Hormone Treatment that I've been on since "forever" it seems.
So there we have it - - my PSA readings continue to go down, and the same medication continues.
It sounds rather dull, but the main point is that I am still alive, when I could so easily have been dead and a statistic, if I hadn't checked my PSA when I did. I know, I know, I've said it before, but there are SO many people out there who think "it can't happen to me" - - - when it bloody-well CAN - - - - and DOES !
So anyway, my PSA readings dating back to when my Prostate Cancer was first discovered in 2003. It started dangerously high, (from what I understood) - - they put me on Radiotherapy immediately. The combination of Radiotherapy and Hormone Treatment was extremely effective, and my readings dropped down to well within the "desired" reading - - of about 0.5.
I was then in Remission for several years, and I feel I could be forgiven for believing that I was cured of Cancer. Ha-bloody-ha - - I couldn't have been more wrong - - my PSA readings shot up to even higher than at the beginning, - - which is when they put me on the Chemo/Steroids. With the treatment, the readings dropped even faster than they increased, and have been going steadily downwards until today, and I believe there is every hope that it will continue - - at least for the time being.
If I didn't learn anything else from this experience, I now know that there is no guarantee that my Cancer is cured, but that the sooner it is discovered and tackled - - there is a better chance. Who knows - - one day there MAY be a "cure", and I will be making my little donation to Cancer Research for as long as I'm able.
OK gang - I won't have any more to say until 3 months from now, when my next check-up occurs.
I know you will be sitting on the edge of your chairs and waiting for it - - - I don't think.
