Dads Advanced Prostate Cancer Journey

Hi dapc7171, sorry to read about your Dad’s diagnosis. He is on the best treatment path for his cancer stage as early docetaxel combined with hormone therapy has shown good success in holding things at bay. I’ve had everything except chemotherapy so can’t speak on that, others here will as they have experienced chemotherapy.

The hormone therapy can make you feel fatigued, give you hot flushes and make you more emotional. The hormone therapy blocks production of testosterone and so the male body changes somewhat with less body hair, hips widen due to ligaments loosening too.

Hopefully the cancer will shrink and his prostate should become smaller easing his urinary issues and he can stay well for a long time. 

Thank you for the response,

Yeah to be honest he has coped really well on the chemo so far! Has had some bits which are to he expected but definitely not been too bad with it so far thankfully!! 

I think it's just the not knowing what's to come and how long we have etc.. we know it's incurable..but don't really know what that means in terms of severity of cancer and longevity.

Also approaching the 'how long do we have' question with him isn't something we are ready to do yet I don't think, but are you ever ready? 

What was your prognosis if you don't mind me asking!

Thanks again 

Dapc7171

That’s good he is coping reasonably well so far.

Have a read at my profile if you have a chance. To answer your question about my prognosis  I had recurrence after surgery to remove my prostate. I was restaged PSA stage 3a after surgery with a second more aggressive type of prostate cancer that leaves my prognosis less good, a quote from my urologist.

My PSA was rising very quickly. At one point my oncologist told me I would be put on palliative treatment. 
But I pushed on, asked for a second opinion and ended up having salvage radiotherapy. I’m ok at the moment but my oncologist strongly suspects I have metastatic spread but it isn’t showing up yet. I hope he was wrong but I just take each day as it comes and am thankful that I’m ok for now. It’s almost 6 years since initial diagnosis. 
I hope your Dad continues to do well.

Hi Dapc7171

feel free to read my profile and keep in touch through your journeys.

I am also 62 and my cancer has broken out deep into my pelvis.

My Gleason score is 4+5=9

PSA was 17 at its highest but can go into the 100’s and even higher.

I have had three of six cycles of chemotherapy and have my fourth next Week on the 16th. ( Docetaxel )My Cancer is Incurable and my Oncologist says she wants to be talking to me for many years yet.

My last bloods gave good news that my PSA had fallen each time the last being 01.1 and this was likely to be the Prostap hormone injection that I am on for at least the next two years.

My Cancer is Locally advanced, but was told that I would never be told I am cured.

I visit a Maggie’s centre each time I visit the Christie Hospital, but they are scattered around the country.

Last week I joined an on line link with Maggie’s which is a Prostate Cancer Support group, for one hour each Month.

I understand how your Dad must feel as I had a catheter fitted due to retention and an enlarged prostate.

I had a TURP operation in August last year to remove some of the prostate and can now function as normal.

( however I do wake nightly, but with good flow )

I am also coping well with the chemotherapy, but do seem to be getting more fatigued with each cycle.

But I am staying strong for my family and fighting the fight.

It does get hard at times especially when I’m alone in the day, but I keep myself busy and do the more important tasks/jobs early in the day before I get tired towards the evening.

I send all my love to your Dad and you as a family.

Its so good to talk and I hope you find the answers you are looking for as time goes on, this is a wonderful site with a lot of knowledgeable people.

Take care of each other and Stay Safe

Spud

”You don't  know how Strong you are,

until being Strong is your only choice “

Bob Marley