Help please - what next

[Fdccs]

Hi guys,

So a bit of background my husband was diagnosed last November PSA 167, Gleason 9.

He finished 6 rounds of chemo in May and is due to start whole pelvic radiotherapy in August. The CT and bone scan showed an enlarged prostate obviously and one pelvic lymph node.

His consultant is like a robot with no emotion/compassion/encouragement at all. Whilst he was recently in with pneumonia he commented that his latest CT scan shows the lymph node is more or less back to normal, PSA less than 0.1 so as expected. That was it.

I'm doing this whole thing by myself and feel a huge sense of responsibility for his life. He's currently on Prostap.

Is there anything else you would be doing?

Did the chemo shrink the lymph node so it's gone?

His consultant is so dismissive, I would of liked more encouragement after 8 months of hell. Is this a good response? You're doing well etc but as we're in the UK we can't hire and fire dr's and my husband is ok with him.

We can't get abiraterone in the UK yet but wonder if it's worth paying for privately after radiotherapy.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[GP24]

Yes, the chemo can shrink the affected lymph node. I assume he is stil on hormone therapy? If he gets pelvic radiation now that is all you need to do. Save the Abiraterone for the time when hormone therapy does not work anymore.

[Fdccs in reply to GP24]

Thanks. Yes he is still on HT.

I'm really hoping that the chemo got any micro Mets and radiotherapy will sort prostate and lymph node.

I would also like him to have a more precise scan and LU177 but PSA is too low (long may that continue)

Suppose I'm just talking aloud as it feels so lonely and I have all these thoughts in my head.

[GP24 in reply to Fdccs]

"got any micro Mets" Personally, as an advanced PCa patient, I do not think you will ever get them all. You just can give the PCa a hard time so you will live for a very long time.

[Fdccs in reply to GP24]

Thanks GP24, o really appreciate your time and sure hope so. I'm really struggling with this as I'm sure you all are.

BW

[Fdccs in reply to GP24]

GP24,

Thanks for your time already.

I was just reading your posts on LU177 and the great response you had.

I guess this isn't possible to have with an undetectable PSA as psma won't show?

[GP24 in reply to Fdccs]

With Lu177 you treat what you see on the PSMA PET/CT. If you see nothing, nothing will be treated.

My response was unusual and I suspect it had to do with the adjuvant Bicalutamide I took during the treatment and a few months after that.

[Fdccs in reply to GP24]

Thanks and what treatment are you on now?

[GP24 in reply to Fdccs]

Just observation - no ADT. My PSA is 0.13 now and I take a break from treatments.

[NPfisherman]

At this point, if he is less than 0.1 on his PSA--that is considered "undetectable" in many facilities....he is getting whole pelvic radiotherapy in August.....try and relax....the ADT is keeping the cancer down and then he gets his radiation... Everything is going well....He is doing OK....try and take care of yourself as well....go have fun with friends, walking or some form of exercise, meditation, prayer... these will help you and him if he decides to participate...Good luck....

Don Pescado

[Fdccs in reply to NPfisherman]

Thanks so much Don.

I'm trying, just having a bad day with anxiety

[NPfisherman in reply to Fdccs]

It's OK....everybody has some anxiety days....you're a good wife...do something fun today--you deserve it.....nature walk perhaps....2 hours a week is good for health....

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Have a great day....

Fish

[Fdccs in reply to NPfisherman]

Bless you, thanks a million

BW

[NPfisherman in reply to Fdccs]

God bless you....Have a great day....

Fish

[Magnus1964]

I don't know how the UK medical system works but if it is feasible change consultants. ADT drugs should be used before radiation. Usually Lupron. But I don't know enough to make any real determinations.

[Fdccs in reply to Magnus1964]

Thanks Magnus.

It isn't really possible to change consultants in the UK but he is on HT, has been on Prostap for 8 months now so prostate has shrunken from that ready for HT.

[Tall_Allen]

It would be a mistake to think of his metastases as gone.

The most curative therapy is external beam radiation with a brachytherapy boost. Ask your consultant for a referral to Peter Hoskin Mt Vernon Hospital in Northwood.

[Fdccs in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks Ta, this is what I was struggling with.

Had the HT and chemo and the fact the pelvic lymph node is now back to normal mean it isn't cancerous.

Hopefully the RT will get it then.

Thanks for your time

[Tall_Allen]

The fact that chemo and HT shrank the pelvic lymph node means that it is cancerous. I hope youu are able to get brachy boost therapy and not just "radiation."

[Fdccs in reply to Tall_Allen]

Oh yes I know it is cancerous, I had just hoped the fact it had shrunk with those treatments meant it was no longer.

I will ask again about brachytherapy boost, our hospital do it but when I asked previously I was told they can't give maximum dose to whole pelvis and boost. We're meeting radiologist on 30th so I would expect them to know more.

Thanks

[Tall_Allen in reply to Fdccs]

You don't seem to understand what I'm saying. Brachytherapy BOOST therapy is different from brachytherapy monotherapy.

[Fdccs in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi,

Yes I do understand I think and thanks for your reply.

This is what the hospital told me when I asked about RT plus Boost

[j-o-h-n]

Listen to T.A. he knows his stuff...

If I couldn't change MD's/consultants I would find his automobile and stick (shove in deep) a thick potato (or two) in his exhaust pipe)s).... He's a damn robot...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 07/05/2019 6:30 PM DST

[Hidden]

Potatoe

in the tailpipe . That’s Cheech and Chong stuff.