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.
Hi and whooooohooooo for good news I'm soooo pleased for you.I guess it's a rarity for any of us to hear the cure word cancer free or remmision i think is the nearest most of us seem to get.It's been a heck of a fight and you are kicking cancers sorry a**e and I like all of us here hope that one day soon they will find a cure.Yay for still being here and may you long continue to be and I for one will be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for your results of the next check up and cheering you on and I wish you too A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year much love and hugs Cruton x
hi there my husband as had prostate cancer for 3 years ,then psa 34-5 now 0-5
his 3 years on zoladex is last implant ison 29th may 2013 we are worried what will happen after that , we would prefer to stop on zoladex, is there any body who as been on zoladex longer our gp as said we need to depate this when we see the oncolagist may 1st .
he also as lots of radition damage he is going into hospital this week to have this looked into further
hi there my husband as had prostate cancer for 3 years ,then psa 34-5 now 0-5
his 3 years on zoladex is last implant ison 29th may 2013 we are worried what will happen after that , we would prefer to stop on zoladex, is there any body who as been on zoladex longer our gp as said we need to depate this when we see the oncolagist may 1st .
he also as lots of radition damage he is going into hospital this week to have this looked into further
I've been on Zoladex since 2003. I've been meaning to get back to you, but just haven't got round to it I'm afraid. As you have a partner, I would suggest that you find out more about the effects of Zoladex, because I have been "chemically neutered" by it, but as a Pensioner and a Widower, it hasn't bothered me a lot, except the embarrassment of having a little piece of "gristle" being the only thing left after 10 years of Zoladex. I have absolutely NO idea whether Viagra or Cialis have any effect, because I simply haven't even needed to think about it.
The big problem is that the Zoladex is fighting the Cancer, so that if hubby stops the treatment in order to maintain a healthy sex relationship - - he will be more vulnerable to recurrence of the Cancer.
I am absolutely NO expert on the matter, but after 10 years on Zoladex, the only thing I can raise now is an eyebrow - - if you get my drift.
I'm sure there are others in the Macmillan community that can be a lot more help to the two of you, but I felt I ought to make you aware of what continued use of Zoladex does. From what I have understood, the treatment shuffles the Hormones around until the person becomes totally sexless, - or "neutral". (Apparently one side effect is the development of breasts, but thankfully I have been spared that extra embarrassment)
What is so frustrating about Cancer and the treatment, is that apparently not even ONE person has the same side effects as the next one, so that there is a whole infinity of effects that even the experts don't seem to be able to predict. I have been treated by some brilliant Consultants at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, but when it comes to getting answers - - they get mysteriously vague. When the Chemo caused all my fingernails and toenails to die - - the treatment was stopped immediately, almost as if they'd been "caught on the wrong foot". (I hadn't brought the matter up as I had assumed it was a natural part of the treatment - - as with loss of hair etc.). btw - my nails are growing back again now, but very, very slowly, because of the ongoing treatment - I calculate my thumbnails will be back to normal by Christmas.
Bottom line - - I'm as fit as a fiddle for my age, because I have remained active throughout, - - but I have Cancer, so I'm not holding my breath.
Best wishes to both of you, and I genuinely hope you find a solution. Cheers Skeptycall
