Adam’s Advanced Prostate Cancer Journey

In this episode I reflect on my birthday this week, a milestone I didn't think I'd reach when first diagnosed last October, and also my meeting this morning with my consultant t discuss the results of my CT scan last week to see how effective the 18 week chemo treatment has been. 

...and lots of it. In this episode I explain how urinating goes hand in hand with prostate cancer (sometimes literally), from being an earlier indicator that something may be wrong, to causing issues in your everyday life. I offer hints and tips from my own journey, and what you can do to make things as easy and comfortable for yourself as possible.  

This episode discusses my feelings on finishing the 18 week chemotherapy treatment, how my body (and mental wellbeing) have affected, and my thoughts about the future. 

In this episode I welcome special guest Gary Lamb and discuss his own prostate cancer journey, during which he elected to undergo radical prostatectomy - a procedure to remove the entire prostate gland.

In this episode I talk about the emotional reaction to receiving my final chemotherapy infusion, and how the plan for radiotherapy set for May and June won't be finalised until the results are known of my forthcoming CT scan.  I also talk about the interview I recorded for UHCW's new podcast Patients Stories, and the local prostate cancer awareness initiative I'm working on here in Coventry. Happy Easter!  

In this episode I reveal some of the plans for a new awareness initiative which I've set up for people affected by prostate cancer here in Coventry. This podcast will be part of that, along with fun events such as quizzes, comedy nights, and to start with a Brave the Shave fundraising challenge. I also discuss my thoughts ahead of my final chemo infusion, and the fact that my finger and toenails are in danger of coming off. Fingers crossed - very gently!  

In this episode I describe how chemo session 5/6 went, and the work I've carried out his week on various prostate cancer awareness initiatives, including a forthcoming guest spot on a major local podcast and a new awarerness group which will launch this coming week with a couple of events. And my PSA is at it's lowest recorded level!

In this episode I ponder the usage of blood in diagnosis, treatment progress and everyday life, and the return of back pain this week, as I prepare for chemo cycle 5 of 6. 

In this episode I talk about the forthcoming Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and initiatives which are available to show your support and raise vital funds. And I didn't record it on Friday 30th February, despite what I say in the recording!

In this episode I describe my latest chemo infusion - No. 4 of 6 - and how this podcast has been reassuring other men starting out on their own prostate cancer journey, just through my being myself and speaking about it in an everyday way. Long may it continue! 

In this episode I talk about changes to appearance due to cancer treatment, from hair loss from chemotherapy to weight gain and fluid retention due to steroids. I also discuss the results from my progress meeting with my oncologist clinical nurse specialist, and early ideas for prostate cancer awareness events here in Coventry.

In this episode I discuss how I'm coping with chemotherapy at the midpoint of the eighteen week treatment, and compare the readings from my latest blood test with those on diagnosis in October.  I also talk about a new prostate cancer related project which I'm aiming to launch in the very near future.

In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by Lindsay Randall of the Macmillan Cancer Support office at Coventry's UHCW. Lindsay explains what Macmillan can do for everyone affected by cancer, be it a patient or family member, and how they help to reduce stress in all sorts of situations, some which won't even be apparent when you are first diagnosed.

In this episode I relate the conversation - and results - of my progress meeting with my head consultant, Dr Jane Worlding, and the plan in place for my long-term future. And an unexpected appearance on a live BBC radio show!

In this episode I give an update on how the first cycle and half of the second have affected me, including pain, appetite and missing eyebrows. 

In this episode I again relate my reaction to the first cycle of chemotherapy, this time the second week of three - which happened to fall right on Christmas week. Could I manage a Christmas dinner? Did I feel in the mood? Could I even get out of bed?  

In this episode I describe how I received my first chemo infusion, and how my body has responded in the week since. 

In this episode I talk about what happened at the pre-assessment meeting I had on Monday before I start chemotherapy next week, and describe the experience of losing my lovely long silver locks to the shaver.

In this episode I share my thoughts on last week's decision by the UK National Screening Committee to not recommend that nationwide screening for prostate cancer be introduced. But there's also some good news, firstly in the test result of how the hormone therapy I've been on since day one has worked, and secondly in that an enormous sum has been very generously donated by my lovely supporters with regards to my forthcoming Brave the Shave, ie losing my lovely long silver locks in advance of my chemo treatment. If you are in a position to make a small donation before the shave on Thursday 11 December, here's the link: https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/afc6b7ef-165a-464f-8809-78cfbd9ae666

In this episode I talk about my first meeting with my oncologist, at which I learnt further details of my diagnosis, and agreed a treatment plan of chemo infusions over the next eighteen weeks. I also explain why I've decided to shave off my lovely long silver locks, and how you can show your support, should you wish to, for the marvellous people at Macmillan Cancer Support by donating a few pennies at my Brave the Shave page: https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/afc6b7ef-165a-464f-8809-78cfbd9ae666

In this episode, my friend Kim Sharpe relates his own journey with prostate cancer. We discuss attending a pop-up PSA testing session, radiotherapy, constipation and erectile disfunction.

In this episode I share my thoughts on how I've managed to remain positive since my diagnosis, accepting the situation and being realistic about what lies ahead. I'm not living with cancer - it's living with me.

In this fourth episode I discuss receiving my score on the Gleason chart - the system devised to rank where a patient is on the prostate cancer journey - and my reaction to what at first seemed like devastating news, plus more hormone therapy side effect fun and the first round of pain.

In this episode I talk about Relugolix, the hormone therapy tablet which seems to be the UK norm for the initial treatment of advanced prostate cancer. I describe my experience after several weeks of being on this treatment, and details the side-effects - from increased appetite and bone pain to man boobs.

In this episode I'll discuss my experience of MRI and CT scans, and subsequent lymph node and prostate biopsies. All this completely new to me, having never had any more than an X-ray before. What's the dress code, and where does that gel go?

Hello to anyone listening to this, the first episode of my advanced prostate cancer journey podcast! I'm 60, previously in great health but recently diagnosed with stage 4 advanced prostate cancer despite having no symptoms. It's now in my bones and lymph nodes, and incurable. I'm going to be recording and publishing my thoughts and reflections each week, primarily to provide myself with an outlet, but if anyone listening to this can get something from it, either relief that certain procedures aren't as bad as they sound online, or encouragement to go to your own GP to get checked out. This episode discusses the background to the diagnosis, and how I dealt with it.