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Prostate cancer & metastasis

TMC2e3b37
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 162 views

Hello,

My Dad has been diagnosed with Prostate cancer that has spread into his bones & some organs. After 16 months of going back to the doctors with Dad having a sensation of string/ hair coming out of his body & doctors thinking it was an hallucination/ old age. They finally sent him for scans after me begging & pleading with them as dad was getting weaker, more sleepy & losing weight. Which they finally diagnosed this! I believe because they wouldn't listen & kept getting fobbed off this string/ hair was masking other symptoms. He is now 5 days into chemo tablets. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced anything like this?

  • Dear TMC2e3b37

    Thank you for getting in touch with us at Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. I am sorry to hear about your dad’s symptoms of weakness, sleepiness and losing weight and his diagnosis of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones and some organs.

    It sounds like a worrying time when you could see that your dad was unwell. It sounds frustrating if the sensation of string or hair coming from his body may have masked other symptoms. It is good that you were able to raise your concerns to his doctors and that further investigations did take place. Many symptoms of cancer can be similar to symptoms caused by other things so sometimes it can take time for a diagnosis to be suspected or confirmed.

    I hope that your dad is coping well with his chemo tablets. If tiredness and weight loss are an issue then our booklets Coping with fatigue (tiredness) and The building-up diet may be helpful. They can be read online or ordered via the website or by calling the Macmillan Support Line on the numbers below. They are general information only so should be used in conjunction with advice from your dad’s cancer doctor or GP. If your dad is continuing to experience the sensations of string or hair coming out of his body, then he may need further investigations or support regarding this as well.

    You asked if anyone else had experienced anything like your dad’s situation. If you would like to connect with other people living with prostate cancer or supporting someone with prostate cancer then there are a number of ways to do this. Within our online community we have a prostate cancer forum where you can post a question or read about the experiences of others. We also have other forums such as our family and friends forum which you may find helpful for support.  The charity Prostate Cancer UK have an online community to connect with other people. They also have a  one -to-one peer support service for the person with the diagnosis or for family members. Their peer support is from a volunteer that has experienced prostate cancer themselves or who is supporting a family member.

    Supporting someone with cancer can be physically and emotionally demanding. Do look at the information in the attached link about support and if you would like to speak to someone directly about how you are coping you can contact us on the Macmillan Support Line on the numbers below.

    Best wishes

    Penelope

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref PN/RH

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