Yesterday I had the 6-month review with my consultant after a year of Zoladex ADT and 60Gy of full-pelvic RT, ending in July last year. After the GP’s blood test started this journey off with a PSA score of 18 in the summer of ‘24, 3 months ago she said PSA was at 0.02. This time it was ‘undetectable’ and the blood results were all good. Zoladex is to continue for another 2 years, fortunately my body is tolerating that well, so far.
Although left iliac lymph nodes had been highlighted as affected during diagnosis, I hadn’t realised all pelvic lymph nodes had been treated with RT. She explained there was a chance microscopic PCa cells had moved to any or all of them as they are interconnected, hence the wider treatment. I also asked her whether cancer had been identified in the seminal vesicles as they were also treated. She checked and said it had’t but it was a common site for PCa to spread to once out of the capsule, hence the RT covering that area too. Again, fortunately, the RT has left me with only very minor, and very manageable side-effects, so far.
Apparently the target now is for PSA to remain very low until ADT stops, then to rise to 0.2 and stay there. I’m a realist and know that, starting at G9 and N1, that will be the critical time, but for now I’m feeling a lot more relaxed. Funny thing was, it’s been 6 months since I was last in the RT waiting room. We walked through there yesterday to get a cuppa from the tea bar and it felt like it was only the day before we had been sitting there, me full of water and us doing a crossword, waiting to be called through…!
Happy days. Yes it’s been tough at times but hopefully someone just starting out will read this and take some real positivity from it.
Hello Amplitude
Well that's a result and long may it continue. It's good to have a team that take the time to explain everything to you, however I think if as you do, you show an interest in your own diagnosis and treatment they are more than happy to go that "extra mile".
I know the feeling well about walking through the RT waiting room as at the moment I see my team every 3 months and their offices are past the waiting room. Every time I walk past I feel like shouting "good luck". I "cadge" a brew at the Macmillan centre at the hospital if it's staff I know!! (too tight to buy one!!)
Good luck moving forward.
Best wishes - Brian.
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