I'm recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, been through the treatment consultancy cycle, and been told/accepted that hormone therapy is the best treatment. I have also a shadow on one of my ribs that cannot yet be explained. The disease is throughout but still contained in my prostate and I've been given a probability of 2-5 years with the treatment before it spreads, breaks out, and the likelihoods of where it will probably go! I can't have any more radical treatment because of scar tissue and problems associated with previous cancers, testicular and bowel - which I had survived in my 30s and 40s.
Being 72, I feel a bit of a fraud on this forum because I'll probably die of other/natural causes which I suppose, strictly speaking, does not make me terminally ill? Although, of course, in one sense, we are all always terminally ill.
However, I've wanted to cover all possibilities. I've read on here about people who have been given similar figures and succumbed much earlier. So I've given a great deal of thought generally to Dying with dignity, rather than going into the anxious spiral of worrying about every possible new cure or wondering if I've made the right decisions for my friends and loved ones. I have really hit a blank wall trying to discuss this - except for my daughter who has worked with it all her life. My wife is lovely and sympathetic/empathetic but she has never experienced this sort of thing at this close quarter - she is 6 years younger so will be left to pick up the pieces.
To cut this sprawling thing short is this subject still as taboo as I'm finding it, or am I just not seeing it right or not in the right place?
Best,
Stephen
Hi Stephen and welcome to the group. I'm in a similar situation. I'd had my 4th quarterly check-up and supposedly clear of Endometrial cancer when the results of a CT scan ordered by my GP for unconnected "niggles" revealed I had lesions on my Liver and Spleen and masses in my Peritoneum, Omentum and elsewhere. In one stroke I became incurable and reading between the lines of the letter to my GP my life can be measured in months rather than years.
I'm currently halfway through 6 cycles of chemotherapy and it's going well. Had a CT scan last week and speaking to my Oncologist tomorrow. I'm feeling really well ,apart from Peripheral Neuropathy, and hope and pray my tumours have shrunk, I can continue with the next 3 cycles then have a rest until it starts all over again.
Hubby's got his head firmly buried in the sand but I've been forcing him to take things on board and consider the "what if and when" scenarios. I've always been the admin person in out 40+ years marriage so I've arranged a book of passwords, told him where relevant documents are. I've talked about a Hospice when the end comes. I can't say it won't come to that as it will.
I'm sure the other members will be along to offer their words of comfort, we are in this together and you're not alone here, we've got you and we understand.
Big hugs, Barb xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
...when I was in depth of cyclothalmia - I was diagnosed in my 50s, almost as a side-effect, during a routine consultancy for the after-effects of my cancers, I was told that meditation and yoga was a great way of relaxing and not a bad lifestyle. I'd always been interested in non-theistic Buddhism, so I didn't need much persuasion.
Anyhow to cut a long story short, I love the response/greeting, Namaste 
- my interpretation is, "I recognise and share your spirit."
Namaste, MrsBJH and everyone else who shares our spirit 
Stephen
..it is so irritating when that happens - I wrote an award winning essay in response to an e-mail notification yesterday.
I hadn't noticed the log-in button, should have done that first! You know that, I know that, everyone knows that... when I did press it to log in and post, it whirred and then presented me with a blank page....
'Oh dear, I said, as if we didn't have enough to put up with 
" lol...
All in the same boat, yes, struggling to cope with cancer, and I hope I can help to keep spirits up, mine and all...
Good luck back at you, thank you for your reply.... and Namaste
Stephen
Lol, thank you, the Art thread sounds, or should I say looks, my cuppa tea... If I knew how to give you a buzz, I almost certainly will do as long as it complies with the sites hygiene and ethical standards....
Thank you for the hug, here's one back at you
I am well, just signed up for the Prostate UK March the Month charity thingy, 134, 000 thousand steps to be taken next month. (No worries MacMillan, I'm donating some to you as well) This should help get me back in shape after the hormone therapy and 2021 Xmas excesses. I have my second tri-monthly check up and injection tomorrow, get to find new PSA level and weight (oops, oh dear!). I shall post and maybe rant as appropriate....
Namaste
