It’s a journey, one way

Don't give up. You're at a relatively early stage. I was also diagnosed in July 2021 and Ive been through Degeralix, Enzalutamide and 10 rounds of Docetaxel. Only Enzalutamide made a real difference but when that failed I started the chemo.

I suspect they will now give you a course of Docetaxel to keep the cancer stable and if you're lucky, shrink it. I'm about to start Radium 223 in attempt to zap the cancer in the bones. I've read somewhere that thinking is changing on this treatment and it may work better alongside Docetaxel or before. Don't forget to ask for Zometa as a bone strengthening agent.              

Hi sussex20, thanks for your message. Very useful info and advice, I will post after my face to face appointment on the 31st.

Hello Last exit, I am sorry to read about your struggles and I really hope that the oncologist can offer you a treatment option that works for you and helps to improve your physical symptoms so you can have a better quality of life.

I note that you have had some counselling, have made your wishes known and ‘made sure everything is in place for my family when I’m gone.’  These are positive and sensible steps to take for all of us  as we get older and/ or when we are faced with a diagnosis such as cancer.. I’m not a counsellor or psychologist but what does worry me is that you also mention anxiety, your ‘mind wandering to the dark side ‘ and your family stopping you from ‘doing something final’.  I have been thinking long and hard about your words as they deserve a constructive response because, like almost everyone posting here, you are faced with a diagnosis that nobody wants to hear - neither for yourself nor for a loved one.

I know what it is like to be in ‘dark places’ and it’s horrible. It’s even harder to climb out of a dark place when you are feeling physically poorly. However, one of the ‘life rafts’ I have found and clung on to as my husband and I face this disease is that prostate cancer is best looked upon as a long term condition which, even if a cure is not possible, can be managed in much the same way as diabetes is managed. There are lots of different ways of managing this disease - new drugs and treatments are coming to the forefront all the time. Hopefully your oncologist has something in his box of tricks that can help you feel better physically.

however, I am wondering whether you need more help with the impact of this illness on your mental health?  I am wondering whether your physical struggles and  the long dark, miserable winter and the constant stream of bad news in the media etc are dragging you down too much?  If this is so, can I advise you to seek professional help from your GP or your prostate cancer nurses or the oncologist or the hospice etc. you don’t have to suffer the mental anguish of this diagnosis on your own. It is not a weakness to say you are struggling with these feelings - it’s actually a very brave thing to admit and to ask for help ! You have taken the first step by posting here.

 finally, yesterday we had the first Spring- like day, weather- wise where I live. Just hang on in there,! we have warmer weather waiting just around the corner for us - long days to, perhaps, enjoy some more family outings! We can stop worrying about fuel bills!  Things always feel easier in the summer!

please let us know how you are getting on! I have found some tremendous support here at some of the darkest moments in my life.  as Sussex said , don’t give up!

with love x

Hi

Alca D can help strengthen the bones a little, in our case anything is good. Was there an underlying condition that chemotherapy was not offered ? My PSA 893 probably my scores are similar to yours, practically same age as you, I never accept my final prognosis, great having everything in place, but there’s years for us to battle away. I get tired, fatigued and weak, a bit of moody times mainly if I get shouted at. 
You’ve got to keep positive wife family friends know it’s hard, their there for you were here for you, so keep going enjoy being here.

Stay safe

Joe

Bless you worried wife. I take comfort and fresh hope from your words, thank you

Hi, I have not been offered chemo or any other treatment, told to continue with the two hormone treatments, may change after my face to face appointment. I’m a type 2 diabetic and apart from the svt event no other health issues thank you for your help 

Hi

Like me I’m a diabetic two, apart from a few other things which I take a lot of meds for. When you get a face to face, try and take your wife in with you, even if they say come alone, have a few questions ready, their there to help, you just want to know what plan B is, I always ask this.

Stay safe

Joe