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17 February, 2023

I have an update on what's happening with my treatment for prostate cancer.

Last week, my oncologist called me late in the day and said he thought it was best to terminate my treatment with radium 223 dichloride because it was having such a negative effect on my health - specifically my digestive system.

I had completed 3 of the planned 6 infusions.

They had looked at the bone scans and three CAT scans I had early last week, and they showed no signs of the cancer spread being slowed or stopped: in fact, it was continuing to spread and my PSA account continued to rise.

The only treatment left now is to go back and have another bout of chemotherapy with docetaxel being the medication used.

I understand this will be a 7-month job with 10 sessions 3 weeks apart - almost double my first chemo treatment in Apil 2017, when I has 6 treatmnts.

The problem I have is that I'm in a very poor physical state right now, due to my digestive system being basically torn apart by the radium 223.

The radium 223 has leaked into my digestive system and caused me to have severe diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, and it was (is) very serious.

They said it was too dangerous to proceed with the radium 223 treatment, with little benefit being shown.

I am also suffering from severe exhaustion, basically, because I have zero testosterone, and all the treatments I've had for the cancer, have further lessened the energy available to me.

It reminds me of the saying that if cancer doesn’t kill you - the treatment will (laugh).

It will probably take up to 8 weeks to get back to a physical state where I can start chemotherapy, and that's where I am now, but the cancer continues to spread in the bones.

I've also been put in touch with the dietitian from UNC Healthcare, who will help me get back my health - she is very helpful.

So that's where it stands it's been quite a journey over 12 years and I think I've had almost every treatment available.

It has really taken a toll on my body and on my energy, but that's where it stands and obviously, I'll do the best I can in the upcoming months with chemo and hope I can get through it.

It is as it is - and another challenge in life.

Ed Harrison