My hubby has had prostate cancer for several years which has become resistant to treatment and is now widespread through the bones. He had a dose of Radium 223 which he hoped would prolong his life for a little longer but instead it has weakened him. Three weeks ago he was admitted to A&E with urine retention, expecting to be sent home with a catheter and some Tamsulosin. Instead, they then admitted him to an oncology ward for the possibility of having a second dose, which he was eager to have, despite the unpleasant side effects he’d been experiencing.
All was ok for the first 3 days – he could walk and talk sensibly - but then started to become delusional and unable to walk. He’s deteriorated mentally very rapidly since then and is now delirious most of the day, although will respond vaguely when spoken to. His doctors blame it on several infections although the cancer in his skull could also be causing it.
Today his consultant told me that he probably has about 4 weeks left and won’t be coming home again. Though I had been expecting it, to actually hear him say it just broke me up and I spent the afternoon crying by his bed. As if that isn’t bad enough, he’s also contracted covid and is in a separate room – probably for the best with all the crying I’ve been doing.
We’ve been married for 54 years, known each other for 58, and were very close. Since his mental decline I've been feeling as though he's already left me and life feels very joyless right now.
