Partners prostate cancer diagnosis

Hello Tara, sorry to hear about your partner’s diagnosis but it does mean you have gained entry to this great group!  The time from getting that first raised PSA result, going through the diagnostics and getting the treatment plan was,, for us, the most difficult part of the journey. Our emotions were all over the place! It was the people on here who got us through!

anyway, in answer to your question - my husband started hormone therapy at the beginning of November 2022 and started his hormone therapy in February 2023, finishing at the beginning of March.

I have heard, though, that the time has lengthened in some areas due to a shortage of oncologists or machines. We were told that , due to the good control of the cancer by hormone therapy, it is possible to delay radiotherapy somewhat in order to accelerate the treatment of more aggressive and life threatening cancers. I don’t know whether this is so or whether it was hearsay!

one thing I would say is that we were scared silly at the thought of radiotherapy and warned about all the side effects. We were given instructions about the do’s and dont’s and followed them to the letter. Any little niggles were reported to the team and they were fantastic! They did everything possible to help my husband through it - timely appointments, care and concern and supreme professionalism with regular reviews etc. I have often said that the only difference between the NHS care and private care during the radiotherapy was that, within the NHS there was no carpet on the floor and no free cup of coffee! 

I hope the bone scan goes well and that the results are clear. My husband’s were and I cried! Tears of relief!

Hi Tara(Tara3 ), very sorry you have joined our club but you are in the right place for help.  Firstly, do you have the full diagnosis. This will help us work out what stage your OH is at.  Normally PSA, staging and Gleason.  Once on HT you are already fighting the cancer and RT can’t be given for a few months.  
From his Gleason score, I think he is going to be curable, but even if the bone scan shows mets, it will be treatable, so try not to over worry.  I am 7 years into this and still going,  please ask any questions. The folks on this site are amazing.  Best wishes, David

Hi Tara3 .

I am sorry to see you hear but glad to welcome you.

There are a lot of people. who are much better at explaining things but my aar recent experience might be helpful.

I have recently been diagnosed, but maybe slightly ahead of your other half in the treatment plan.

My own plan is:

• Six months hormone therapy,
• Just under 8 weeks radical radiotherapy.
• Two more years of hormone therapy.

The understanding I have from the oncologist about the initial period is that my prostate is "chunky" and she wants to shrink it to get a better target. The practical side of my mind adds that she doesn't want the radiotherapy taking place over Christmas.

The way this plays out in my head is:

• Hold it still.
• Give it a good bashing.
• Suck the life out of what's left.

The initial period and the extent of the radiotherapy seems to be governed by the size of the prostate (chunky), the area of spread ( seminal vesicles and one lone lymph node nearby), risk level (Gleason 9) and practicality.

Two years after seems standard.

If it is any comfort to you, 3 different GP's 2 specialist nurses, l oncologist and I radiologist have told me that the chances of cure are good, as is the prognosis.

This, in the famous phrase, is a marathon, not a sprint.

Hi Tara,

I am so sorry for your partner diagnosis. You are in the right place for support and knowledge as people here are so wonderful to share their experience and knowledge.

My husband diagnosed over 8 months ago so I can share our experience and what I learnt in this journey:

Every trust is different and although it is the same PC oncologist differ in the plan and pathway. My practical advise is do not worry about the treatment now. The important thing is to finish all the scans so the oncologist will have the full picture and then he will work a plan with you in your first meeting. You can prompt things by chasing the scans and the results.

I can share with you that the first few weeks are the most difficult but when the treatment plan is drawn things start to settle down. My husband now lives almost normal life ( a bit tired from the HT so he take a nap in the afternoon). He keeps active physically and mentally and we look forward to our holiday in September. 

Please ask any questions you want and learn the different options and treatment but things will work out after your first meeting with the Oncologist.

Lots of love

Dafna

Good Morning Tara (Tara may) 

Another welcome from me and I am so pleased to see you have joined us from the "New to the Community forum".

You have already had some great advice from our fantastic Community members so I will leave you with a couple of links you may find useful:

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../hormonal-therapy-for-prostate-cancer

and

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-prostate-cancer

I hope the above helps. ask any questions you may have - however trivial - you will get answers, we are all in this together.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Tara may.

Good morning it's great to meet you today sorry though it's under these circumstances but we are a great bunch.

I started my journey last June 2023 and I was put straight on to Hormone Therapy (injections and tablets) 

At the beginning things were very bleak but as soon as I started the HT within weeks my PSA dropped from 1000+ down to single figures.

It now stands at 0.9 and I have been told that I will be on HT for the rest of my life.

My consultant hasn't mentioned radiotherapy to this point.

There are many people on this great site that have many ofexperiences of it and they will be able to help you further.

Prostate Worrier.

Hello Tara,sorry you’ve had to join us regarding RT,I was diagnosed in January with 3+4=7 Gleason and am currently on the second month of HT 1 month to go then I’m hopefully starting 1 month of RT lovely bunch on here very helpful,keep chin up xxx

Hope all goes well with the bone scan . When my husband was given the bees his scan was clear I could have kissed our GP .take care and thus group is great sk keep the questions going as I do 

best wishes 

Liz