Prostrate Cancer Carer

Hello Jan99E  A warm welcome to the MacMillan Prostate Cancer Community.

We do have some partners on the forum who "struggle" with partner care - I do hope some of them get back to you.

May I suggest you also join the Carers only forum . You may well find more answers there although not directly connected with Prostate Cancer. To join this forum, just click on the link I have provided and once the page opens up, click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page and then you can introduce yourself and ask the question.

I hope this helps - if I can do anything else for you please don't hesitate to get back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Jan99E

My wife is my carer has been for over seven years, she has gone through every emotion possible, The care my wife provides is second to none, as I have incurable PC p, diabetes, acid reflux, gout and possibly soon to have heart surgery ( but not just yet ) 

My wife deals with all my meds, has them in boxes so I know what time and what to take. Unfortunately my wife does not talk about my trouble, but without her help, I would be lost.

Stay Safe

Joe

Hi Jan,

I am replying as I do not find being a carer for my husband a bundle of fun either. I do always try and look on the funny side of things, as some of my posts will prove. However, I agree it is not an easy task. My husband has advanced pca, spread to the bones. He was diagnosed two and a half years ago during which time he has found to also have some heart problems.

He has been in and out of hospital several times in the last two years for various things. He does absolutely nothing to look after his own health, food and drink wise, and does no exercise. He regularly falls, which they now think may be to do with an aeortic stenosis causing the blood pressure to drop. He has survived covid, and sepsis at the same time whilst in hospital and is on hormone treatment by injections and bicalutamide. He does suffer from fatigue but has never had the hot flushes most of the guys on here suffer from. 

Every time he is ill it causes me immense stress, so I do understand what you must be going through. I do not know your age or your husband's, but I have just turned 73 and my husband will shortly be 79. I think the hardest part for me is spending the remainder of my healthy life as his carer. I am, at the moment, in good health (apart from the beginnings of Macular Degeneration), but I do work at it. I walk my dog every day, even in this miserable weather. I have hobbies and hate just sitting around doing nothing, which, to be honest I never have time to do. As he does virtually nothing in the house now, it falls on me to do everything including what we call the 'blue' jobs. 

I am not moaning, I just get on with it, but I just wanted to let you know that it is a struggle. My advice, if you can, is to try and share your experiences with family or trusted friends, try and see the funny side of things, and look after your own health as much as you can. Do keep in touch on this forum and as Brian has suggested, the Carers Forum.

Best regards and happy new year.

Gina

Thx Gina x 

Hi Jan

i am also a carer for my husband who has stage 4 prostate cancer with metastatic spinal cord compression.  Things were very difficult at the start as we both got used to the situation, however this was proving to difficult therefore I gave up my work as I couldn’t cope with both.

He does everything he can to help himself and has a very positive attitude.  I would say try and make time for yourself however I feel extremely guilty if i am out the house for any length of time without him.  I don’t like the idea of him being on his own in the house and unable to get out without me.

happy to chat or let you know how we have felt with some issues

take care