Results following chemotherapy: some uncertainty

My hubby’s PC returned as aggressive, Gleason 9, in 2015 and has been controlled by HT until last year when his PSA steadily increased from 0.8 to 85. He recently finished 10 cycles of Docetaxel with monthly Zoladex and last week we got his scan results. 

According to the CT scan, organs and lymph nodes now all clear (good), but ribs and pelvis indecisive as the results may have been influenced by the chemo still in his system.  There’s also the mention of (quote) ‘an increase in size and number of bony sclerotic lesions, concerning for disease progression’ and the fact that, after an initial plunge, his PSA never dropped below 6.4 and had risen slightly to 7.1.  He’s due another CT scan in August. 

We felt a bit dejected and it would have been nice to have had a discussion about the results so far but we were last on the list and got the impression the doctor was anxious to go as she gave us a brief summary, gave him printouts of the results to read and digest at home, and the whole thing took 5 minutes at the most.   Hopefully whoever does his September review will be more forthcoming about a future plan, as by then they should have a more definite idea from the second scan.  Meanwhile he was just told to continue with the Zoladex. 

Well, to be fair, we can’t expect a miracle cure as we know it’s an incurable cancer which can only be controlled for as long as possible.  In fact, he’s been luckier than a lot of men with it having been under control for several years  before it began to spread and on the whole, he’s feeling quite well at the moment.  

He’s happy to be off the food restrictions now and is particularly relieved that he can for now gradually taper off the steroids.  With arms and legs covered in bruises and plasters he’s looked for months as though he’s been in a fight!  It seems that Prednisolone is a major offender for thinning skin.