So had first oncology appointment today.
So got our final treatment plan for my husband.
he will receive decepaptyl injections 3 monthly for two years.
he is also getting started on aberiterone with steroids for 2 years.
min July he will start 20 sessions of radiotherapy.
he will also be out on calcium and vitamin d supplements due to possible bone thinning
his Gleason is a 7 4+3. But the way the cancer is behaving they are treating it like a Gleason 8 due to the amount of 4s that were in the biopsy.
I think this is due to the high volume of cancer they have decided to treat like this.
Going to be closely monitored so that good. We will meet with oncologist again in a months time to go over radiotherapy plan as was a bit too much information today.
husband already suffering fatigue and flushes with having 1 injection of decepaptyl so hope this doesn’t intensify side effects.
Hi Skye45
Im glad your husband has been given a plan by oncologist, as it keeps you focused on the next step of treatment.
My hubby has been on hormone injections for 18months now and the sweats are really debilitating.
we saw oncologists today who suggested chemotherapy but we aren’t ready to go down that route just yet.
Instead he’s been started on Enzalutamide which again has similar side effects to the injections but he was told it can reduce his PSA down from 20, and hopefully halt any further bone mets
There's such a lot to take in at the beginning but hubby felt so much better after his radiotherapy, and I hope your hubby will be the same
Big love to you both xx
Hi Skye45
Your husbands treatment is pretty much the same as my partners. The hormone treatment has really brought down his PSA but the side effects make him tired and he will dissolve into hot sweats at a moments notice, he’s also put on weight, but he wouldn’t have it any other way as no one fancies the alternative. It’s good to get a really solid treatment plan for your husband, it sounds like you have a great Urologist. Now you can focus on getting the cancer under control and hopefully fighting it off. Thank you for posting an update as it’s really helpful to know what treatments etc other people are having .
All the best to you and your husband,
L
Hey there
yes it is very similar good to find someone going through exact treatment.
He won’t start till prob Monday on the aberitrone.
My husband has recently just taking up golf so I hope he manages to continue as that will be good for fitness.
yes he was under a urologist till we got the diagnosis and then had to be referred to oncologist who is treating it aggressively to give husband better chance of cure so staying positive.
Hope you and your partner are coping xx
Aww what stage is your husband at.
how are you coping?
yes it is all a bit overwhelming but main goal is to stay positive and fight through it together.
xx
Yes exactly the same treatment and being treated aggressively for “cure”. We are coping ok as there’s no other choice for us but to be positive at this point, I think we have invested heavily in the thought that it may be cured or held back for a reasonable amount of years so that helps to keep us focussed. My partners next step is RT and then HT for a couple of years more, and then we will know more where we are. I have to say having cancer has given my partner the green light to unlimited golf, “I’m just going to golf with the boys,” is now met with the reply, “ great idea! have a good time and don’t worry about the lawn I’ll mow it ,” instead of, “ What the hell that’s the fourth time this week!!”
Take care
L x
Hello Skye, I’m pleased to hear you’ve now got a treatment plan. Although the drugs do have unpleasant side effects there is some sort of feeling of taking some sort of control of the cancer once the therapy starts. There is also the relief of actually knowing what is what and having an action plan.
my husband started the ht in November so we’ve not been through warmer weather but, so far, he’s really only had one out and out hot flush. What I find the hardest is seeing that he aged 10 years in the first 3 months. He’s in some sort of permanent state of jet lag - some days better than others for no explicable reason. Yesterday was a bad day - low in mood, lacking energy etc. he’s on decapeptyl. He’s also Gleason 4+3=7, T3 N0M0.
I hope all goes well for you both.
Hi Skye45 I’m glad you’ve got a treatment plan sorted, can I ask about the Abiraterone as it’s seems to be a new treatment for locally advanced, was this offered by the nhs and which area are you? Thanks
It is a hormone therapy that helps remove the testesterone. It is given in the more aggressive cancers as a first line treatment as it was successful at being used instead of chemo in lock down.
we have been put on it through the nhs and we are in Scotland.
are you currently on treatment xx
Yes we feel a bit better now we are in a place where everything is getting monitored but still a bit of a worry with the possible side effects of this second treatment. But am sure all will ge fine.
my husband is suffering fatigue and hot flushes with only having had one injection 1 month a go so I hope it not going to intensify things. As he really loves playing golf so I hope he doesn’t get to fatigued to be unable to play.
Hooe your husband picks up soon I suppose there will be good and bad days xx
Yes having second Prostap injection tomorrow initially diagnosed with Gleason 9 high risk, scans where clear including PET scan but obviously they where worried about micro mets, still waiting for the final staging results but had a bit of a wait ( June 14th) before meeting with Oncologist to get a full treatment plan. I am currently using my work’s private medical insurance to see someone sooner and see if they offer any different treatments, that’s why I asked about the Abiraterone as I’m not sure if the nhs offer it yet for locally advanced? Thanks
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