Good News and Bad News

The Good News Is…

…Six weeks after my radiotherapy finished I have had my blood sampled and tested for PSA level. During a consultation with the oncologist two days ago, it was revealed to me that the level was 0.02, which apparently, is as good as I might hope for. I am, it seems, in remission.

I will be subjected to blood tests to monitor PSA levels for the rest of my life or until the cancer returns, which if it does, will hopefully be some years from now.

The consultant was of the opinion that I was somewhat subdued considering the good news. Possibly depressed. I pointed out that although I was very happy with the outcome (thus far) with the cancer treatment, I had further health issues, as yet unresolved, which had become evident during the previous two months.

The Bad News is…

…During a routine appointment with my GP, for which I had a list of things to discuss, I got to the third or fourth item which was, chest pains. Upon hearing my description of the pain I was experiencing, the doctor instructed me to go straight to the A+E department at the hospital. Apparently, I may already have had a heart attack.

I went to A+E as instructed and very quickly was hooked up to an ECG machine and a cannula inserted into my arm. Over the course of the next several hours I was subjected to various tests and examinations before being told that nothing bad had been found and was I discharged in the early hours of the morning into the care of a very nice taxi driver.

It is possible that the pain is yet another side effect of hormone therapy, or perhaps related to the heart murmur that was recently discovered. The report on the heart murmur indicates that intervention is not required and I should have a further examination in two years from now. So perhaps not a great cause for concern.

I am also waiting to attend a vascular clinic as I have a possible problem with the blood supply to my right calf. I have an appointment for three weeks from now and I am trying to stay away from Doctor Google.

More Good News

I have started swimming again and also go to the gym several times a week. I am making good progress and have got some muscle tone back. It was quite scary to see how far my physical strength had diminished but I will be persevering with it as I can already feel the benefit.

In addition, I have not seemed to have suffered much in the way of side effects from the radiotherapy. Fatigue mostly but the exercise will help combat that. As I regard myself as a side effect magnet, I am really happy not to have got any of the nastier effects.

I am not sure whether I should end this blog now or should I report periodically on how the test results go and possibly updates on the other health issues. Feedback would be appreciated. Whatever happens, I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown during a very difficult time.

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