"I always felt relaxed, well looked after and informed"

I was diagnosed with metastastic prostate cancer which had spread to bone and lymph nodes in may 2022.

My treatment plan was put in place and within a few weeks i was started on hormone treatment and eventually enzalutamide which kept my psa low for a couple of years.

When it stopped working i was then told that the next step would be chemotherapy treatment with docetaxel 10 rounds.

I was obviously very anxious about starting the treatment as i was worried about the side effects and how it would make me feel when started.

I was given my 1st round of treatment in Feb 2025,and to be fair i was surprised that it really made me feel tired and slightly lacking in energy levels if i tried to do too much,a few stomach issues which i had medications to combat.so all in all i tolerated the treatment well.

I have just finished my 10th and final round, and am glad to say i felt the same through all rounds without any really unpleasant side effects.

Looking back to my first day visiting the oncology unit at Forth valley royal hospital, i was met by the cheery smiling reception who made you feel relaxed.

When i was taken through to the chemotherapy unit i was met by the nursing staff who were all very pleasant and always had a smile and friendly chat when administering my treatment, they always informed me what the treatment was and what it was being administered for.

All the staff were always nice and went out their way to have a chat including the wrvs tea ladies and domestic people who could not do enough for you, also i always had a chat with other patients around me which also made me feel more relaxed.

All in all in the unit i always felt relaxed,  well looked after and informed, i could not give them anything but praise for all the care and attention they give to everyone attending the unit.