Thursday 17 January 2013

Ticking away ... Day 809 ~ A is for Abiraterone ...

You may have already seen my comment elsewhere as regards yesterday's trip to the hospital with Jamie.

We got there early because sometimes you can get in early to see the doctor. This was not one of those occasions and we were still in the waiting room an hour later.  Then we were called into a side room where we met a new doctor, the fourth so far in this adventure of mine. And she was very nice, asking me how I was doing ... so I told her about my discomfort in the left side of my groin and that also in the last couple of days I was feeling discomfort in my left armpit.

Then she told me the results of my CT Scan by and large confirmed what my discomfort was all about ... but she said there was no sign of cancer cells in the pelvic bone. She had also mentioned that my PSA reading was up to 55 !

So good on one point not so good on two. Still I expected bad on all three fronts.

The doctor suggested that I start taking Abiraterone, a newer type of hormone therapy. Before I can start this though I had to have my blood pressure taken and undergo a bloodtest. Once these had been undertaken I was told the Abiraterone would be delivered direct to me at home. I then have to have a bloodtest in a fortnight so the hospital can see it's all going well and then go back in a month for another checkup.

On average Abiraterone prolongs a man's life by four months more than a man who isn't on Abiraterone.

Whilst I was there three or four of the nurses who looked after me [and Jamie] when I was having chemotherapy came and had a chat with us to see how we were doing. That was good of them.

At 9am this morning my Abiraterone arrived and I will start taking it early tomorrow morning. Four tablets have to be taken at least an hour before eating [or two hours after eating].

There's a warning with the tablets that Abiraterone should not be handled by pregnant women or women who could become pregnant. They should use gloves. 

It will be interesting to see what it does to me.


Incidentally there is no photograph of me because although we took five or six, they have all been swallowed up in my camera ... somehow.

23 comments:

  1. Hope the new tablets help Charlie,they seem to be looking after you really well.The nurses sound really caring,just what you need.Ann

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    1. The nurses have been marvellous Ann ... and they all seem to be doing their best for me. I can't expect any more than that can I ?

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  2. It's good to hear there are no cancer cells in the pelvic bone. I hope these new tablets help. Will they help reduce the discomfort, or prevent it from increasing?

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    1. The Abiraterone should do both with luck Mitch ... for a few months anyway. I am seriously anticipating that I will be feeling much better in a week. Still, one step at a time !

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  3. I am glad to hear there is no cancer cells and truly hope these tablets help, Charlie! I am sending you all my best as always. I know I have not been about... I've been caring for some others at the moment... but you remain near and dear in my thoughts and prayers! Many ~hugs~

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    1. Likewise Marie ~ I don't feel that I have been watching out for you as much as I should have done. I hope things soom pick up for you.

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  4. Good news from England on a dreary morning in Canada. You perked me up a bit.

    Another perk up this morning was that when I googled scrambled eggs I found the Gordon Ramsay video on how to make sexy scrambled eggs. I tried his method and they really were better than any I have ever made before. I had to substitute coffee cream for the creme fraiche and green onion for the chives and whole sliced tomatoes for the cherry ones, but they were really good. He has an accent but I don't know where his show comes from. I'm thinking Britain as he calls his wife 'the missus'. His scrambled eggs really are worth trying.

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    1. Glad I'd got some goodish news for you Karyn.

      As for Gordon Ramsay he's British ... I will have to see how he does his scrambled eggs though to be honest it's poached eggs I have more trouble with.

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  5. Hi Charlie, hope the Abiraterone don't cause any undue side effects. And some good advice for you (and Jamie)... Never handle a woman who might become pregnant - unless you're wearing gloves! ;-)

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    1. So far I'm feeling ok with the Abiraterone thanks Ian. I think your advice as regards preganant women should be aimed more at Jamie. Incidentally, if you look at the photo relating to the 'midfield birth' I have posted on Facebook and Twitter you might be tickled [as opposed to tackled].

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  6. I'm glad that you have access to a promising drug. I hope that your discomfort is lessened ... and that you have good days ahead. Wishing you all the very best ...

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    1. Thank you Pet. I took the first four [at 6.30am] and await developments !

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  7. I hope your body reacts to this new drug in a positive way.

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    1. Yes, let's hope so Diana. I have been allergic to a number of drugs and there have always been others. I think Abiraterone might be unique. Let's hope I don't have to find out.

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  8. Seems like it's a very powerful drug, I hope it gives the wished results you need.

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    1. My armpit is clear but my groin is proving more stubborn. Still on the whole after just two days I feel better than I did thanks Diane.

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  9. I'm glad to read that there is improvement, Charlie.

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    1. Having taken my fourth lot of Abiraterone five hours or so ago I can confirm that on the whole I am feeling fine. The little marble sized lump in my neck is smaller but my groin is still uncomfortable. Will it improve ? I hope so ...

      Thank you for your concern Pet.

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  10. Hi Charlie. I am glad to hear that the Abiraterone has no ill side effects. I too saw the same Gordon Ramsey how to make Scrambled eggs and I agree. It works. I do not know if these 'gizmos' are available in the UK but they work great for poached eggs. These silicone gizmos are called poach pods and they work. I wrote about them in yesterday's blog.
    http://chuck-chuckdate.blogspot.com/2013/01/chuckdate-january-21st-2013-1111am.html

    Hang in there Charlie!

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    1. Thanks Chuck. It still hasn't kicked the 'groin strain' into touch but hopefully it will.

      As for the gizmo I will have a look at your link once I've typed this.

      Thanks for your support Chuck ... and I hope you're ok too.

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  11. Didn't comment on your depressing post a couple of days ago and scrolled forward to see how you got on with your hospital visit. This does sound as though you're getting the right sort of relief. I'm glad. Hope you'll be able to hobble round another walk soon, Charlie.

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    1. Thank you Neil ... I can hobble for a few hundred yards but after that it gets bloddy painful. Hopefully [this is the eternal optimist speaking] things will improve !

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