Next bit of the journey

Thank you 

Woke up really emotional this morning and can't stop crying and trying so hard to not let husband see me. I just want this all over and the cancer gone, but I know in my heart that is not totally possible. The problem I have is a real phobia of hospitals and just walking through the door is horrendous. The dept he goes to is directly above the ward where my mum died suddenly in 2018. I miss her so much, my dad had died only 21 weeks earlier also very suddenly. I don't understand any of this, my husband has always been so kind to everyone so why him. We took early retirement to see the world cruising and then 3 months later we went into lockdown. Sorry I think I am just too emotional today. Will be back later to say how it went 

Hi Shar

You have been strong so far  - stay strong for your husband - he might not show any emotions or worry about his condition but deep down they are there and he needs you.

Just think once his treatment plan is over you can both get back to a normal life and back to cruising.

There's no shame in being emotional - it's a sign of true love.

Best wishes

Brian.

sending hugs

Just a little update. Husband had his first chemo yesterday and naturally we were both anxious, fear of the unknown I guess. We arrived at 10 30 for his 11am appointment as parking can be horrendous. We sat and sat and sat abit longer. Other people were going in for their chemo. Finally after 2 hours I went to the desk and asked if we had been forgotten as it was our first time and we didn't know what to expect. She said someone would come and talk to us. 15 mins later the unit manager said the first doctor signed off the medication first thing this morning but now needs a signature from husband's oncologist. She said they kept chasing him but he was now with a poorly patient. After that it would go to pharmacy and then medication sent to the unit. Finally at 3 pm he was called in. He did have an initial reaction within 5 minutes but luckily it was and they were able to carry on. We left just after 4 .15 pm. 

Oh dear, that was a long day for you, Shar.  I've been thinking about you both and wondering how it went.  May II ask what sort of reaction your husband had so quickly and how it was resolved?  And has he had anything since?  I keep thinking about you both and wondering how you're coping.

My husband went for ECG on Tuesday which was, as expected, all fine, and collected the darolutamide he was meant to be starting the next day.  When we got home he realised they'd given him enzalutamide instead!  he had to go back on Thursday (an hour's round trip plus waiting time) to get the right drugs.  When reading the leaflet he realised that the statin he is on is incompatible despite the fact that oncology were aware he was taking it.  Another phone call to the cancer nurse, who checked with oncologist and contacted his gp to say dose must be reduced or a different statin prescribed.  This doesn't fill me with confidence.

Wishing yu and your husband all the best over the coming days.

Hi Lyon

You are correct to check everything prescribed - I always read the patient information leaflet that comes with the drugs!!

I had to convince my diabetic nurse that my Hormone Treatment drug messed with both my HBA1C (diabetic blood reading) and also aided my weight gain (not much help needed in that department anyway!!). She said it was above her pay grade passed me on to the GP and he said "What do you think we should do".

Considering something like 1 in 8 men get PC there's little knowledge out there. I even had to tell the GP I needed a prescription for Calcium/Vitamin D tablets as the HT can weaken your bone structure!!

I hope you and Shar get through this without any more issues!

Best wishes

Brian.

Your post reminded me of a joke (at times like this a little humour is good). 

In Jason Mansfords recent nostalgia show he told a joke about someone having a cardiac arrest in the audience and a request being made for any Dr to come forward.

2 paramedics came forward to help before a Dr joined them. One of the paramedics asked what type of Dr he was and he said he was a GP. They told him to go away (not the exact words used), because they didn't need the help of someone who had to use google.

Joking apart, GP's aren't experts in everything which could be why our surgery have paramedics taking appointments, who  in my experience are excellent.

Hi Lyon, I always double check any medication by reading the leaflet. Husband said the chemo nurse was excellent checking the medication she gave him to take home and asking if he was taking anything else. She then came and found me in the waiting room and went through it with me. Very impressed. They put the cannula in and put saline through for 15 mins. They then put chemo drug in and within a minute he had a pain going across his chest which lasted about 30 seconds and then his face went bright red. They checked his temp and bp again and this was normal. They said it is a common reaction. 2 nurses were with him all the time just watching him. They said if above had continued they would have stopped chemo, given an anti histamine tablet and then re started chemo slower putting it through to take 2 hours instead of 1 hour. Hubbie saud he felt ok as they were calm and knew what they were doing. Thank you for thinking of us. So far he has felt fine and not needed the anti sickness tablets. X

My late mum's kidney consultant, one of the top in her field was sking in Austria with her sister. Sister fell, consultant checked her and said a sprain to your shoulder. When she got home still in pain she went to hospital and she had a broken collar bone. This made me laugh when the consultant told us the story. She said I do kidneys not bones