Chemo

Hi Shar - So sorry to hear of your news from the meeting with the doctor. Whilst it isn't what you wanted to hear you must embrace the word "treatable". The medical profession consider it treatable and will do all they can to keep the cancer in check and don't forget new treatments are being brought into use all the time.

Docetaxel -This is a chemo drug that kills off cancer cells and is proven to work well - I have no experience of this chemo but I am sure someone on here will pop up to give you their advice on this.

Decapeptyl - This is the hormone therapy drug - I am on this one - it stops the testosterone from being produced and this stops the cancer cells from growing as they live off testosterone.

It is worth checking with your medical staff if there are any clinical trials that your husband is suitable for.

On a more personal note, I am so sorry for you both however I and everyone in the community are here for you should you have any questions or just want a chat - you know where we are and - you are not a problem in posting anything!! It's good to talk and get things out of your system.

Best wishes to you both.

Brian.

Thank you Brian 

Hi Shar. OH currently on docataxel chemo- just had 5th out of 6 treatments. He’s been generally ok. Bit tired , dithery and some gastric issues but all manageable. Had cold cap and so far kept hair but body hair gone.  Has prednisolone continuously then a top up of another steroid just before next treatment.

also on Decaptyl hormone therapy - again manageable. Some emotional changes and almost PMT symptoms. 

have you asked why chemo- has it spread? You may want to ask about triple therapy which research shows offers good progression free time- we asked for it but we’re brushed off by oncologist. 
remember we are here. Big hugs xx

Yes it has spread I think he is on triple therapy, or will be I am so confused with it all. Yesterday he had an injection called decapeptyl and then he has to have Rhys every 3 months. He will then have chemo in about 3 weeks and this is called decapeptyl and then I think at the same time some tablets called darilutamide. I think the 3 then make up the triple but I could be wrong.

Not Rhys should say this 

Hi Shar

You are right there - it's called triplet therapy:

* Darolutamide - a new type of hormone therapy and works as I understand it to delay the advancing cancer.

* Decapeptyl - is the hormone therapy injection 

* Chemo - this is the 3rd treatment in the therapy and I am unsure which type he will have.

I am sure someone can give a more detailed explanation - this is my simple understanding of what I read a few months ago.

Kind regards

Brian.

Aww bless you - yes that sounds like the standard and up to date evidence based treatment.  The chemo ( docataxel) has to start within 12 weeks of the hormone treatment starting. The addition of the abiratone is the triple therapy. The research shows positive results so try to hold on lovely. It’s a scary journey. Never be afraid to ask anything. Xx

Hi

Don't be upset, many can be a long time in the future. I’m just days away from my seventh year I’m incurable had docetaxel plus radiotherapy and hormone therapy. All these keep us going with a handful of years in the future he might go on to a different treatment like me, enzalutamide or arberaterone maybe something else as medications are coming along all the time.

His team will know all about his condition, having dealt with this many times, no one knows how long we last, I had a PSA of 893, I thought with all what I had bone mets etc, I thought I would not last a year, but here I still am giving advice as best I can, have a look at my profile you’ll get what I went through when on chemo.

The one thing I ask is make sure you take his temperature morning and last at night, very important you will see on my profile.

Having said all this, it’s not uncommon for wives to be upset, mine who’s my carer too, worries about me 24/7 we all know this, what stress your under, without you ladies making sure we take are meds etc, we would be lost, so try and be positive he’s got many years.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Shar,

You've been so strong, and you must be exhausted. You really haven't had a chance to relax over the last few weeks and I know you've been doing lots of research and reaching out for answers. I guess we all want that word "cure" but "treatable" is also a very powerful word and it promises much. You need to focus on that now because it's a very real thing and the treatment can stop and hold back the cancer for many years. It's difficult for consultants to say exactly what will happen, because I think simply there is an area when they can't predict how it will be. We have the same problem, I'm a person that just wants the facts and to be told straight, but I can't seem to get them. The reason for this is there is an element of the unknown, possibly. The good thing here is that your husband has an excellent treatment plan that is being put into place, from this point his cancer will be hit hard and it will be knocked back and the focus will be to get it under control so that it won't go any further.  Remember to look after yourself as well and take some time now to let all this information settle in your mind. It's really easy, when first getting unexpected news to view it really negatively and think the worse, but there are plenty of people here that will tell you their story and journey and you will see that there is a possibility of many more years ahead.. 

Here is a place of understanding, everyone that reads this understands where you are and everyone here has your back. You are not alone. Best wishes to you and your husband,

Lx

Thank you Joe, I love your reply and pleased you are doing well. My husband seems to be coping so much better with the news than I am. I can't eat and have lost 2 stone since this all started back in April. I have to go upstairs to cry as I don't want him to see me upset.