Waiting for the diagnosis

Hello again Caroline and Ray Caroline1957 . We will try and help you with the prostate cancer and I am sure you will find the same support on the pancreatic cancer forum if you need it. On a reassuring note prostate cancer is usually slow growing and there are many treatments available now as they have improved considerably over recent years. Very often the bladder problems reduce once treatment has started and the tumour starts to shrink but what that treatment is will be decided by the medical team once they have all the information in. By the sounds of it your husband has been put on a course of hormone therapy initially which will act on the cancer no matter where it is in the body and the best piece of advice is to encourage your husband to get as fit as possible as this can help reduce the side effects from the hormone therapy. He can also help with the bladder control by doing pelvic floor exercises and there is a Squeezy app which you can download to make sure they are done properly and give a reminder of when to do them. This will also help him with his radiotherapy which they will schedule once his PSA is down. To help you initially I would recommend downloading a free book which explains the terminology and treatment options. 

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

In the meantime ask as many questions as you like and we will try and help so that you can prepare for your meeting on the 9th. It can help us to help you with more tailored information if you could update the profile page with a little bit about your husband's diagnosis if you are comfortable doing this with such things as initial PSA, TNM, Gleason and any relevant data. We are also here if you just need to vent but we do have a lighter side where we share all manner of things like recipes, holidays on the No Specific Topic thread.

Mentally it can be very difficult to deal with a cancer diagnosis and you have a double whammy so don't forget that you can speak to Macmillan on 

0808 808 00 00

They have many options to help both you and Ray. Also check whether you have a Maggie's in your area as they are there for the whole family and can maybe put you in touch with support groups.

Caroline (Caroline1957 ), I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through, one cancer diagnosis is hard enough but for you also to be suspected must be horrendous.  The problem with all this once the initial shock has settled is the unknown.  Once you have an understanding of what is going on, you can plan for whatever is ahead.  We can help with your OH’s PCa and I think AH (Alwayshope ) has provided some links to other groups.  You are not alone. Best wishes, David

Good morning Caroline1957 

Another warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although I am so sorry to find you here under the circumstances.

I can't add much to the two replies above which are great apart from:

* Here's a link to take you directly to the Pancreatic forum - Pancreatic cancer forum. 

* Here's a link to help you with questions to ask on 9 December 2024 - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/your-treatment-options/questions-to-ask-your-healthcare-team

Just to add to the great post from Alwayshope  there is medication to help control the bladder and I would add this to your list of questions for 9 December 2024.

I would also advise you to give the fantastic team on the Support line a call - it's free - on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8 7 days a week) - they will be able to offer you some extra support.

Feel free to ask us any questions - however trivial you may think they are.

If I can do anything else for you just drop me a line.

Best wishes - Brian.