Husband newly diagnosed

Hi Scottishlass.

Welcome to the club I know you didn't want to join.

I am so sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis.

The Degarelix injections are to reduce testosterone which the cancer needs in order to grow. Once you've have all the tests done, you will be advised of the different treatments that may be best for you.

I know this is a very difficult time for you but talking is always best.

When you get any of your results info, please share on here and if there's any questions you have please ask. There are some fantastic people on this forum who can also help and offer advice.

You can read my story by clicking on the picture of my cat.

Best wishes on your journey

Peter 

Hi Scottishlass,

Treatment will definitely help. That is a very high PSA  but rest assured there are people on this forum with similar high counts and they have their cancer under control with medication. I’m sure they will tell you themselves once they read this. I’m not sure what treatment your husband will have, but the hormone treatment he is on will immediately start to shrink back the cancer. If you look at my bio I think he may have the similar as my partner to start with, I have listed his meds. We didn’t tell our children until a few months in as we needed time to feel that we were calm and in control of the situation, also we didn’t want to project our panic. We decided to use words like ; “being treated”, “under control” within the sentences, they immediately both picked up their phones and researched it. My daughter cried and my son was stunned. We reassured them that it was “in hand” and the doctors were really good and giving dad excellent treatment. They asked questions which we answered as best we could with a positive spin. They have been brilliant, they accepted the situation a lot better than we thought and it was a relief for us that we had finally told them as it was one of our biggest worries.

It’s a very difficult time for you and your husband at the moment because it takes time to sink in and every day lasts forever while you are waiting for your diagnosis, keep busy and try to keep calm if you can. You have some wonderful doctors and nurses that will be doing everything they can to look after you so you are on the right path . Hopefully some people with similar PSA’s etc will reply and reassure you with how they are getting on with their treatment . Best wishes to you both and let us know how you get on. Everyone here understands and we are here for you. 
lorraine . 

Thank you for your reply Peter. We have an appointment for biopsies on 31st May which seems really far away. No word about scans.

I will definitely post results on here when we get them.

Lynn

Hi Lorraine, 

Thank you for your reply. We are still trying to take in the news ourselves at the moment and we don't want to tell the children until we have a better idea of Richard’s prognosis and treatment options. Like you say, every day feels like a week.

Both of our children are neurodiverse so this is another complication when trying to explain. Keeping the language simple and positive as you suggest will probably be the way we will go, but my daughter particularly suffers from anxiety which I will have to manage within my only worries and concerns.

I would certainly value anyone replying with  a similar PSA to give us an idea of their journey.

Many thanks

Lynn

Hi Scottishlass,

My husband, 78, has had pc for coming up 2 years in August. His initial psa was around 1280 but with initially Degaralix injections, started the day of diagnosis, and then changed to three monthly Prostap, his psa is now down to 2.1. His cancer has also spread to the bones but with the suppression of testosterone, apparently these areas have not grown. Whilst this advanced pc is not curable, it is definitely treatable. Due to other health conditions it was not recommended that he have radiotherapy or chemo and that we just continue with the hormone treatments. Yes 3700 does seem high but it should come down very quickly. Doctors seem reluctant to give any prognosis these days because treatments are so much better than only a few years ago. My husband is not a fit and well man, but he is doing well and is still here two years on. Whilst everyone is  different, I am sure that thinking in terms of months is highly unlikely. You will be reading lots more from guys who are still here and doing well and who will, I am sure, give you some assurance that things aren't as bad as you think.

Look after yourself, and you will then be able to be supportive for him. Go to all his appointments with him, if possible, as things can get forgotten or misheard. I am off with mine for a 9 a.m. appointment tomorrow morning, so not looking forward to an early start!!

Keep us all informed as to how he is getting on.

Best regards

Gina

Hi Gina,

Thank you for your reply and your helpful comments. We are trying to remain  as positive as we can until we are told differently, but is good to know that your husband responded to degaralix and ongoing hormone treatments. 

Hope you have a good appointment tomorrow.

Lynn

Hi Scottishlass 

Just read your post and reminds me of the day I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer it hit me like a ton of bricks (see my profile) When oncologist said it was incurable I thought how am I going to tell the kids, one was ready to give birth to my first granddaughter and the other was planning her wedding. But I waited till the oncologist met with his team to see what treatment I was going to be on then I told them. I know your psa is high, mine was 305 but after the first hormone injections you've psa will drop dramatically mine dropped to 3.5 then I was put on enzalutamide which brought psa down to 0.007, like your husband I thought I had months to live and thought I would never see my granddaughter but 2 years down the line I'm here getting on with life. This site is first class for information and answering your questions I read every post and I can't thank the members more than enough they'll be there for you, good luck with your treatment and I wish you well.

Hi Scottishlass,

You may find "Patting the Shark" an interesting read. It is about a young guy who was diagnosed with stage 4 PC.

All of the Best.

Hi Scottishlass Scttishlass

You may find "Patting the Shark" an interesting and motivational read. He (Tim Baker) is a local guy who lives in my area in Australia. Several years ago he was diagnosed with Stage 4 PC. His outlook was pretty bad. He wrote about his journey, he is doing well after almost 8 years.

All of the best.

Thank you for your reply. Your story gives us a little hope. 

I will post any further results we have when we get them.

Thank you to everyone who has replied and sent their good wishes. It makes us feel not quite so alone.

Lynn