My partner 47 diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

Good that you’ve now got a plan….but how are you doing?

Hi Orvy glad to hear you have a plan in place now, hope you are starting to relax a bit ? I know it is not something that happens at once, but things will settle down.  My hubby is on hormone treatment and his PSA is now undetectable , consultant is  very pleased.  Yes there are still days when I feel down and anxious but the next day I'm fine, so keep positive and take each day at a time,  this is treatable so keep a hold of that thought 

Hello Orvy.

I am glad that you have a plan now. Can I suggest you read the link on the order for starting the tablets and chemotherapy and maybe ask the doctors what they think about starting the tablets at the same time as the Chemotherapy in your husband's situation.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558767324000028

Hi Orvy,

Just a suggestion for when your partner starts the triplet therapy - I started in January 2024.

Prior to starting with chemotherapy he should get some Newgo Gel Gloves to keep his hands and fingers cold, together with a long hot water bottle ( frozen ) to put his feet on and lift over the top of his feet during treatment. These will go a long way to preventing pins and needles and neuropathy.  

Also, chemotherapy can really affect taste buds - in my case I sucked ice cubes throughout each treatment and for 30 minutes after.  I read all of the latter on an American Prostate Cancer website and it worked for me - I was late with the water bottle though and got neuropathy in my toes at treatment No 3 - then borrowed my grandson’s bottle.  I think that the neuropathy is just starting to ease.  Bill

Thanks for the tip on neuropathy. Mine is intermittent so would not want to use it al night, every night.  How quickly does it take effect?

Hi. I found the ‘cold’ treatment for hands, feet and mouth worked to prevent too much reaction from the chemotherapy.  It was all about shrinking the blood vessels during treatment to restrict the amount of chemotherapy getting to extremities.  I did get some neuropathy in my toes that seems to be easing, but for the past few weeks my feet are not as steady as they were - likely affected by ADT and Nubeqa. 

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry I am struggling to keep on top of everything at the moment with little one starting school. Loads of emails, forms to sort and then benefits, pip etc. I just wanted to do a little update and I'll try and be better at replying!! My OH now starts chemo on the 18th Oct and will have the tablets at the same time and not before. I think the consultant was worried we would be waiting longer for the chemo. My partner will also have a cystocopy on the 17th Oct and a CT scan has been requested. There was a mix up with information on the genetic testing and wasn't done so that's also been requested. If its genetic then my little girl could also be screened earlier for cervical and breastfeeding cancer. The PSA level after the loading dose came down from 26.9 to 3.6 and my OH is no longer suffering with pain which is really good.  

My OH also proposed  so there is something to look forward to within this absolutely nightmare

I hope everyone is keeping well ️

CONGRATULATIONS Orvy 

We love to hear of good news and how lovely for you to be able to share it with your little girl.

I am so pleased you have got the Triplet Therapy sorted and to hear that the tablets will be started at the same time. It is not easy and the side effects vary from person to person. There are some precautions which we can help you with nearer the time but one thing straight away is a COVID jab if you can get it. The chemo will affect your partners immune system and he will be more susceptible to picking up bugs. He will also have to be careful around children who have recently received protection because of the type that they are given so if your little girl is eligible then try and get her vaccinated early as well. Oh, and by the way, that is a good drop in PSA.

Hello Orvy

first of all, congratulations on your engagement! that’s lovely news! When will the big day be? You certainly have been very busy, too! I hope your daughter is enjoying school?

it’s good that your husband’s treatment is now scheduled! It’s a weird feeling coming up to the treatment, we found. Part of us wanted to get the radiotherapy over and done with but the other part was scared silly of potential side effects.i hope all goes well for your husband.

we went through the genetic counselling due to the high incidence of breast and prostate cancer in my husband’s family. What they told us was that they could only test for the known genes that cause such cancers and that there may be genes they have not yet discovered. So, although my husband does not carry the known mutations, there is always a risk for our own children that there may be an unknown gene being passed down the family. Our children are all in their 40s and the boys should have annual PSA and the girls annual mammograms. One son , much to our distress, is not having the PSA test. My husband is to be retested in 5 years when there may be more knowledge. So, the ‘all clear’ is not there, really even though he did not carry the known genes. We continue to live in the shadow of this darned illness.

I do hope that you are coping ok with all the pressures swirling around you? I sometimes think we wives and partners feel we are losing ourselves in the midst of all the stresses etc?

I also hope the treatment goes well for your fiancé!

Thank you ️ 

Mu oh is booker in on Tuesday for covid, flu and pneumonia vaccine. My little girl has her nasal flu on the 10th Oct and all up together with other vaccines. I am also eligible for flu and covid vaccine (although declined the covid last year) I get offered it at work due to being in a GP practice 

Yeah they are very pleased with the response to the HT already.