It has now been just over 4 months since my last chemo session. It was suggested to me that it can take from six to 12 months for the chemicals to fully leave my system. From my perspective I feel this will be nearer the shorter end of that timeframe. I have been feeling really well this past month, in particular, as my energy levels have returned to near normal, for my age, at least! My finger nails were affected by the chemo, they died back, but all remained in place. they have now fully recovered and my hair is growing strongly again, albeit it seems thinner than before. It could continue to strengthen given more time.

I had an appointment with Gary Tincknell, my medical oncologist, this morning. He had the latest blood results from last Thursday’s “donation”. My PSA remains at 0.01, which is the lowest score possible. I asked if this meant my cancer was no more. He confirmed it was not the case. It is, however, sound asleep and we should hope it remains so. As long as it remains dormant, so too will my bone cancer. All cancer cells, wherever they may be, are dormant. The medication I am taking, darolutamide (two tablets in the morning and 2 in the evening) plus a 6 monthly Lucrin injection, are certainly doing the job they were designed for, in my case.

Accordingly, there is nothing that needs changing. He wants further blood tests and a review meeting in three months.

We just need to make sure there is no increase in the PSA and if there is, we can react to it quickly, which is so important.

So, I will carry on with my acupuncture, fortnightly, not weekly. I will continue with my naturopathic supplements and increase my exercise, which Gary felt was important. Kim and I are going to do more walking.

On the home front, Kim has a new horse, Jake. He is a standard bred, originally from NZ. He is 9 and was a trotter – not Del & Rodney! You should see him run. We are at the planning application stage to add a new lounge to our home. We could do with an extra space as things are a little cramped when we have visitors – another project to keep us occupied!

That’s it for the time being. Kim and I are delighted to have put the cancer to sleep and we fully intend keeping it that way as long as we possibly can.