Hello mikesouth3

Welcome to the forum although I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. 

I'm going to tag in [@Billygoatt]‍ to your post. I know Billy has had chemo for prostate cancer and has been living with what he calls his "uninvited guest" for some years now. Hopefully he will see this and pop along to say Hello! 
You might also like to give our team of nurses a call. I'm sure that they would be able to offer you some support and information about Dad's upcoming new treatment. They're available on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

I hope this helps. 
Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi Mikesouth3 I've had chemotherapy for prostate cancer mine spread to lymph nodes, ribs, pelvis, spine, and a lung, was diagnosed in Feb 2016 psa 1581 gleason 8 stage 4 t3b n1 m1b. I've been on permanent hormone therapy, had 6 sessions of chemo June to Sept my psa went to 0.9 it kept dropping till Feb 2018, 0.03 since then its slowly rising last month was 2.2 specialist wants it to get to 20.0 before more chemo, its not curable it can be managed. I've been living a normal life working, had to retire to look after my disabled wife she needs 24/7 care.. If I can give you any information please ask.. Billy 

hi Billy,

thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I guess what i wanted to know is whether it can be manged like you say. Billy, is there a limit to the amount of chemo a person can have, or is it just a case of you can keep having it as long as it is still effective? Im happy to hear your PC is mangable, and you are living a relatively normal life. The very best to your wife also.

Mike

Hi Mike after so long cemotherapy isn't as effective but there are loads of different options. Please let me know how things progress........... Billy 

hi Billy, plenty of options is good to know, especially as the consultant doesnt throw any light whatsoever. I remember him saying quite clearly, 'there may be a day where i tell you thats all i can do' so you can see why i am possibly on the negative side. Radium223 is one ive read about, but its seems to be for bone cancer possibly once chemotherapy isnt so effective? Chemotherapy is the next step, but if you could point me in the direction of any other treatments ill go and have a read. With Christmas coming its something were trying not to think about to be honest, but its like the elephant in the room at times. 

All the best,

Mike

Hi Mike I'm on permanent hormone therapy (decapeptyl) my cemotherapy was (docetaxel) it is a strong one and not very nice but if he can handle it it'll do the job, the trouble is thares loads of different hormone therapy and cemotherapy and some work better than others but it's finding the right one, the oncologist is the main person for that, hopefully you've got a good one.other people on forum have had different types of treatment hopefully some will get in touch.... Billy 

hi billy,

hope you are well and your treatment is going well. So my dad has arrived to the stage of needing chemo now his last hormine therapy option is no longer working. He has traces in the lymph nodes only and has no other spread, gleeson 7 psa 400 at diagnosis 3 years ago. PSA now 20 but the relationahip between psa and cancer spread is a difficult one to understand. When he was diagnosed it was in his lyph nodes and hasnt really moved much other than to a few other nodes between the treatment becoming less effective, so possibly the chemo may be quite effective at this stage. Hopefully the chemotherapy will be effective for some time, but no one knows how he will react i guess. Sorry, just using the opportunity put it down on paper. All the best, and any chemotherapy experience shed would be gratefully received. 

Cheers,

Mike