Triplet therapy

Hello James. It is difficult to explain what to expect now as everyone, plus the cancer, reacts differently to the treatments. Your drop in PSA to 0.01, which is extremely good, will be used as a benchmark for monitoring that things remain under control and be reassured that you are having 4 weekly checks. If you are still having pain they might arrange a scan to check how well the chemotherapy has worked and don't be too worried about only completing 5 sessions as this is normally sufficient to have given you the recommended dose. Now that you have finished with the chemo you should start to improve but it can take 6 months to get over the side effects of it. You will have regular blood tests including PSA and Testosterone. The hormone therapy is well into your system now and has probably already told you what side effects you are having to deal with as a result but let us know if there is anything you are struggling with as there are coping strategies for most of them. Mentally it can be difficult and if you need help then we can remind you of where to access it. Hopefully things will stay settled for a while for you but be reassured that there are plenty more tools in the toolbox if you need them further down the line.

Hello James (Prosleg)

Thank you very much for your post and update on your journey - it's not a condition of being a Community member that you have to post anything, thousands of people read the threads each day without joining the Community and from reading our posts they take away the information they need.

Your treatment so far has worked in keeping the Prostate Cancer at bay and your team are looking after you to keep on top of everything - I can understand you being upset, cancer is something none of us want and a diagnosis turns your life upside down. To help you may I make a few suggestions:

* Would you like your own "Telephone Buddy" - someone from our volunteer group who would contact you once a week for up to 12 weeks to see how you are - and put the world to rights - details in this link:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/macmillan-buddies#:~:text=Our%20free%20Macmillan%20Buddy%20service,buddy%20is%20there%20for%20you.

* We also have free counselling supported by BUPA and again here's the link:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support

* There is always our support line on 0808 808 00 00 (*am to 8pm 7 days a week. They are a great set of people who can provide you with some extra support.

I hope you don't mind me suggesting the above, if I can do anything else for you please give me a shout on this thread or you can message me.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you so much for your response  

cheers Jamie

Thanks for your help and advice I will give those ideas some thought 

regards jamie

Hi Jamie (Prosleg ), sorry I am late to respond but just back from a wet Isle of Wight holiday.

I only managed 4 chemo sessions and was told that should be enough, so well done for making 5.  I had chemo 7 years ago and am still on the 3 monthly jabs.  Great that you are getting 4 weekly checks although this itself is stressful.  I have a scan tomorrow and will probably get a bit anxious before I see my oncologist next month.  Best wishes, David

Thank you for your reply and I'm sorry you have had a wet time.

Hope you don't mind me asking.

did you return back to work after your diagnosis and chemotherapy and what has brought about your scan this time?

understand if you don't wish to answer.

i wish you well and hope your appointment goes to plan.

Regards Jamie

Jamie, no problem at all.  I was already retired by the time I got my diagnosis at 68 so work wasn’t relevant. I did find that I had to drop being chairman of a charity as the chemo ‘fog’ got me and I felt I couldn’t provide the necessary guidance to the group.   I then had RT (37 sessions) 6 months later.  Since then (for 6 years) my PSA has been reducing but last year started to rise (from a very low point) as the hormones are evolving and becoming resistant to Zoladex.   The upcoming scan is to check for any new mets before starting on a second gen HT to control the PSA for another 12 months or hopefully longer.  I am generally quite positive and keep hoping that the oncologist has a few more tricks up her sleeve and in the meantime we try and do everything we want to do.  The Isle of Wight is a great place to go and Tennyson Down even in the rain is a very special walk (and even better on a good day!).  
Crying is ok but try and have more laughs and definitely stay positive, it is the best medicine.  Best wishes to you, David