Hi all,
It has been a while since I posted.
I was diagnosed almost exactly a year ago - it has been a roller coaster ever since.
Some of you might remember I had a Radical Prostatectomy in July (along with the removal of 35 lymph nodes) - shortly after which my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My RP went well, but I found out in August that I had some metastatic spread to my lungs and pelvis and was put on Bicalutamide.
In hindsight, I’m not sure I would recommend having so many lymph nodes removed—I should have checked for alternatives, but the surgeon said there was a 75% chance of involvement - so I figured "while you are in there", but in reality they were all clear.
I now have some swelling in my thighs (lymphoedema) which is quite problematic, but a Doppler scan today just cleared me of any clots, so I’m moving on to compression - lucky me!
My wife started Chemo in September, and I started Triplet Therapy (Docetaxel, Darolutamide, and Prostap) in October and November. The chemo affected my wife much worse than me, so I’ve been able to look after her, the dog, and carry on with work as usual.
I had a bad reaction to the first chemo session, but with antihistamines and extra steroids, it’s been manageable since - it just is infused over 2 hours instead of 1.
My wife had great news last month—scans showed no trace of the cancer. She’s just had an operation (a ‘scrape’ rather than a lumpectomy) and should get those final results at the end of the month.
As for me, I heard yesterday that my PSA has dropped to undetectable after just 2 sessions of chemo! My lung nodules have also shrunk, and the Oncologist is super happy. I have 2 chemo sessions left to go (having now had 3). He said the 6th session could be skipped.
Aside from some tiredness and a bit of a ‘pill regime,’ I’ve had next to no side effects.
I wanted to share this because your support has been amazing, and to let people know that these treatments can have incredible results and sometimes they are not so tough as you might think - I know I was terrified of HT at the start.
Yes the impact of RP and HT are life changing - but I'd rather be here with my loving family than not, and I know they share that thought.
I’ll have a final PSMA PET scan later in March following my final Chemo session on 6th March.
Keep fighting everyone!"
all the best
Tom
Hello Tom (Beard)
What an amazing post and brilliant news for both you and your wife. Thank you for taking the time to come back to us and deliver the great news.
I wish you both well moving forward.
Best wishes - Brian.
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It’s been a rough ride for both of you buy you both are coming through it! Well done! I hope your scan results are good and that you both can sail into calmer waters and enjoy some better health. Well done! I am so pleased for you both
