4 month update.. not great

It's not just your oncologist who is keeping you going,- it's you as well. We could all sit back and say 'that's it' but I am sure that having the right attitude and adjusting lifestyle plays a big part.

Hi Ah,

Just checking whats the weather like with you at the moment? Did not see you on the form in the last week

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi Dafna.

All is well here and nice and sunny. Plenty of work in the garden.

The fridge freezer went bang and we had a major water leak under the sink - one advantage of tiled floors is that you can push the water out the door and dry things out quickly. Someone scraped the side of the car whilst it was parked and put a nice rubber mark from front to back - after 2 hours of work I managed to get it off and no damage was found under it. I hope that is it now with the 3 lots of bad luck!!!!

Have been very busy and went to Athens last week for the PSMA PET CT (at the extortionate cost of 60 Euros at a private hospital). Results came through showing no additional mets and no bone involvement but we are back to where we were last May with the lymph nodes, although some are showing that the chemo was effective, but unfortunately not all. The Greek God and the radio oncologist are in discussions as to whether SBRT or cryotherapy would be suitable and will let us know next week. Hubby is eligible for Lutetium 177 and further chemotherapy if necessary, also waiting to hear about whether gene therapy is a possibility.

Mentally it has been difficult for hubby for a few weeks so the antidepressants have been upped for a little while but he has perked up since getting the results. Scanxiety had set in.

By posting I hope it shows that there are plenty of options for others with a stage 4 diagnosis when the 1st, or even 2nd line of treatment becomes less effective at controlling the cancer.

We are both positive and looking forward to the summer when we can go out more. Even the ice cream parlour has opened up again so we had a lovely sugar and dairy free mango one yesterday.

Hi Alwayshope , that all sounds fairly positive (other than your 3 issues).   You both sound to be doing well, fingers crossed with results of discussion with the Greek God.  I don’t think I suffer from scanxiety but I know I feel better once the outcome is known, so it must be subconscious.  Next chat with oncologist in 15 days (course I’m not counting).  We are having a first taste of Spring (in the South) and have even seen a yellow thing in the sky, so hopefully Winter is receding.  David

Hi AH,

and WOW! Pet scan 60 Euros! is that a typo? All sounds pretty good though with the no additional mets and bone health. I rather liked the option of Target RT, did they say why? You have such good treatment options there with the availability of Lutetium 177 as well , I don't really know much about it, but it's so good to have a box of tricks at your disposal. With the obvious added bonus of the Greek God of course. It has to be a very draining time though, thankfully this time of year can be so lifting.

Lx

No typo - definitely 60 Euros as the Greek NHS allows you to go to private hospitals and they subsidise the cost to the tune of up to 90%.

The targeted radiotherapy would be to the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen which have been causing a problem since diagnosis in July 2020. Prostate area has been confirmed that the initial 33 sessions of EBRT worked well and remains cancer free.

All the best David for your meeting in 15 days time. Hubby said today that he didn't think that he was anxious about his recurrence and scan but now admits that it has been affecting him. I think it is because we were down this recurring route in January 2022, then May 2023. He is very much a home bird now so doesn't relish having to go away for treatment again but will do it if necessary.

Hi Ah,

Good to hear about all the options available and that you both positive! I mean, we cannot let this PC win over us. Please send us some sunshine as here is dull again and very fogy. 

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi there

•  I’m hoping to find some hope here. My dad 77 has been living with prostate cancer for 16 years. Managed after initial chemo and radiotherapy with medication and that’s how I thought it would be until he passed if old age in many years to come. He’s had back pain for a few months and recently had a scan that showed deposits on his spine. He’s starting chemo next week and having an xray on his femur (something must’ve shown on the scan as no pain there). Still in early stages for a plan. I’m low and imagining worst case scenarios as it’s my mum and sister. Dad has taken to painting and cleaning the decking and getting jobs done as if preparing. Don’t really know what I want but feel so alone and can’t imagine life without my dad.

Hello Chitchy a warm welcome to the online community.

First off may I say there have been many advances in Chemotherapy in the last 16 years so his next treatment may well be better than the last with less side effects.

Just a few ideas if you don't mind:

* We do have a dedicated Chemotherapy forum - To join this for help and advice just click the link I have provided, it will take you to the forum.

* Do you have a "Maggie's" near you. This is a cancer support centre for all the family where you can just call in and have a chat, a cup of tea and see what support they can offer the family - details in this link - https://www.maggies.org/

* For that little bit of extra help and support there's our helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) just give them a ring and see what they can do for you.

Remember the Community too - there's always someone around for a chat - it's YOUR Community too so it can be about anything, not just cancer - we are all here for you.

If I can do anything for you please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards - Brian.