Three chemo sessions down, three to go.
It's been quite a journey already. My problems started on 27th December with pain in my shoulder and back, just thought it was aches and pains of a 46 year old. Over the following months I had four GP visits and even an MRI in March, but was told to go home and take paracetamol.
Something just didn't feel right, so I pushed for a second opinion. Thankfully, they offered this. Blood tests showed my PSA was 309, my ALP was 4,900, along with numerous other abnormal results. That led to my diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer in May, with it spread to my hips, back, spine, shoulder and lung – with no history in the family.
Since then, I've been on Relugolix, Darolutamide and Docetaxel, and I'm now halfway through chemotherapy.
The first cycle wasn't too bad apart from the chronic fatigue (cold cap - which seems to be working - was the worse bit!). The second one hit me a little harder, and after yesterday's third treatment I'm feeling particularly shabby today. But I'm determined to keep fighting.
The results so far have given me a real boost. My PSA is now down to 1.19 and my ALP has fallen to 252, so I'll definitely take that as a huge positive. It shows the treatment is doing its job.
The only lingering issue is the pain in my neck and shoulder. My oncologist has mentioned that, if it continues, I may be offered radiotherapy between chemotherapy cycles.
I have to admit I'm a little apprehensive. If each chemo cycle is going to knock me a bit more, I'm wondering what adding radiotherapy into the mix might be like.
Has anyone else had radiotherapy between Docetaxel treatments for bone pain? How did you find it? Did it help with the pain, and did it make the fatigue or side effects noticeably worse?
I'd really appreciate hearing other people's experiences.
Wishing everyone else on this journey the very best. Keep fighting—we've got this.
