Oncology

A day or two since I wrote a few words in the Blog. We have naturally been busy, but we have also been preoccupied with our visit to the oncologist on Tuesday, 9 August – a date that’s now prominent in our minds. What were they going to tell us?

Yes, the biopsy confirms it’s cancer. Yes, there’s an enlarged prostate. Yes, more treatment is necessary. Probably radiotherapy. But before we do that, lets have another look at it under a microscope to see what’s happened since the last CT scan nearly six months ago….. oh, and we’ll do another bone scan, too.

The young man we saw was very nice. He was thorough and explained everything very well. But we can’t get away from the fact that earlier in the year, John’s PSA reading was 42, and now? It’s 92. Can’t get away from the fact that the Gleeson score is 9; and it’s a T3 cancer.

As always, we hope for the best. We’re both frustrated at the delay, but relieved the oncology team are at last involved and seeing John face-to-face, eye-to-eye.

The young man consulted ‘the boss’ after our discussions and came back with a plan of action: “We’ll make an urgent request for a CT scan and bone scan,” he said, “and, in the meantime, take this pill. It might make you feel a bit tired. Carry on with the hormone therapy.” Righty-ho. So, we await more tests and more results before anyone will actually do anything……

Home again and what are the choices? Sit in a chair and wring our hands while we wait? Or carry on with the life we’ve whittled out for ourselves? We chose the latter of course, and John was back at it, working on the Lotus, while I picked up a paintbrush.

A letter arrived on the mat yesterday for a CT scan on Sunday at ten past five in the afternoon. Well, that’s quite a quick turn round! Good. We hope that the rest of the plan is as quick and the appropriate treatment can be agreed and started. Otherwise, we might be doing a little bit of agitating……

I am not sure what our current mood is. Exhausted, mostly.

Take care everyone. God bless.

12 thoughts on “Oncology”

  1. Oh dear let’s hope the scan will bring light in a good way I do not know how you have gone down this long road you have but John he’s been through hell and bk he never gives in love you all fingers crossed for results on scan😘😘

    1. Yes, fingers crossed. 🤞🤞 Thank you Phil – and thank you for the reassuring message on email, too.

  2. 10 years on from a psa of over 500 and unreadable, via 0.5 and currently hovering around 5 to 7. All I can say Anne is that it’s manageable and that the current drug treatments can really work. Take heart.

    1. Of course!! Had forgotten about Superman who lives with you!! He’s certainly beaten the odds, so let’s hope John does too. Sending love and hugs

  3. Many prayers and much love Annie for you both. Brings so much home. Am with you all the way with getting on with life it is a gift best not to waste it. Continue to share and make memories.

    1. Thanks Lizzie. We’ll keep on keeping on as best we can. Love to you and Ray

  4. Love the positive vibes from friends Anne. It was good to see John, flat on his back, under the Lotus yesterday afternoon. Carry on regardless springs to mind and you know what, that’s exactly what’s needed. You two never cease to amaze me with your inner strength of body and mind, although I realise at times it seems to not be there at all. Rest assured that it certainly is. We’d been to Charlcotte Park and called in at the Oakes on our way home to pick up some delightful supplies. Lots of love to you both and all the family xx

    1. Ah…. yes! That’s where the ol’ man likes to be – under the car, under the bonnet of a car, under the boot of a car……🤣🤣🤣🤣

      And thank you for your words of encouragement – so much appreciated.

      Lots of love to you both. 😘😘😘😘

  5. Praying for you both, you’ve both been through so much, keep smiling Anne and keep tinkering John. xx

  6. Sorry I didn’t reply yesterday but can only echo all the previous messages of hope and support, sending much love and positive thoughts, as ever xxx

    1. Thank you! I think you have been busy, so no worries! Glad you had a good time away!

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