Hello

Good morning Woolly66 and welcome to the family. We know what a difficult time this is for newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and their family and the first thing to say is that you are not alone. The initial diagnostic stage is the most unsettling as you don't know what to expect and the big C spreads fear through us but your husband has already started on the treatment pathway with the Degarelix which will deprive the cancer of its food (testosterone) no matter where it is in the body and it works very quickly. These hormone therapies do come with side effects but the best way to mitigate them is to encourage your husband to stay as fit as possible particularly with exercises to combat the muscle loss caused by the loss of testosterone. For most men loss of libido and Erectile disfunction come on pretty quickly and then he might experience hot flushes, develop man boobs, genitalia will shrink, he might develop low moods but there are things which can help with most of them so he must ask for it and we as a group can also give you tips. There has been a lot of research done on what treatments are most suitable for men with advanced prostate cancer spread to the bones but in particular Triplet Therapy consisting of the Degarelix plus another tablet hormone therapy and chemotherapy has been showing good results. They are pushing through all the tests at the moment but having started with the Degarelix it gives the experts a little time to sort out the best treatment pathway for your husband. I have attached a link to a free book which you can download which will start to explain terminology and what results mean but please come back with any questions.

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

Prostate cancer is still very treatable even if you are not on the curative pathway. My husband was diagnosed in July 2020 with advanced metastatic prostate cancer and is still going strong so think positively. It is a bit of a rollercoaster of a journey so we have learnt to live life to the full and take things one day at a time.

As far as travelling is concerned just be aware that travel insurance might be very expensive and difficult to get whilst you are at the pre treatment stage.

Good Morning Woolly66 

Another warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community from me, although I am so sorry to find you here. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here on the Community, I also have Prostate Cancer.

I can't add much to the cracking post above from Alwayshope apart from to say feel free to ask anything here, no question is too trivial and between us we will have the information and answers you need.

I assume your travelling is "on hold" at present. I know when I started out with treatment travelling was restricted due to Covid but once on treatment I "needed" a holiday and it was great to get away. Again travel insurance becomes very expensive - my annual worldwide policy is around £800.  Here's a link for you - it will come in handy

Travel insurance forum for cancer patients 

Your husband's full treatment plan will follow the biopsy results when things will settle down to the "new normal". In the meanwhile stick with us - ask anything - we are with you on this journey.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks very much for the welcome and information. 

The trip to Asia is on hold of course. Sadly pain is the main problem for my husband but he is now on morphine patches and oramorph.We have the full MRI report and it is quite difficult reading and we have no idea where else it has spread at the moment but hopefully we will know soon.We are being very positive and apart from now walking slowly and with a limp he is trying to keep mobile.

I think they are going as fast as they can!

Many thanks again and great to hear how well your husband is doing.

Thank you so much for your warm welcome and also the information. 

I am so glad to have found this site.

Take care and thanks again.

Just as a ray of hope. Many men find that the bone pain reduces as the hormone therapy usually reduces the cancer and mets, although he might experience an initial increase for a little while as the body gets used to the drop in Testosterone. If there is anything on the MRI you don't understand or want explaining then just ask.

It can also be helpful if you feel comfortable doing it to put a summary of the journey in your profile page - go to the picture next to your name, click on profile, edit, type away and don't forget to press save. This can stop us from asking the same questions in future plus it will allow us to give more tailored information.

hi Woolly66 , think the advice you have already had is great.  You can add your own story to your profile and also read others profiles by clicking on their name.  I am 7 years since diagnosis and have had some great holidays in that time.  Generally the oncologists will support you having a break as they know that keeping positive, living life and keeping fit are just as important as the treatments.  This is a really hard part of the journey, waiting for diagnostic test results, but remember, PCa is extremely slow growing and your initial HT will already be putting your OH’s cancer into retreat.  Please ask any questions, although we are not medically trained, there are people on this site who have been there and have the T-shirt! Best wishes, David

Hi Woolly66 ,

I am also a wife whose OH has PC . It’s so difficult to get your head round what they are throwing at you initially . This wonderful group of people kept me sane during our initial journey . So please fire away even if you think it’s trivial as someone will come up with a suggestion for you .

please take care & keep in touch 

hugs 

Liz & OH xxx

Hi Woolly66 

Just an add on to the excellent answers you've already had. My Husband had a lot of bone pain in his pelvis, back and legs at diagnosis.  He has Hormone therapy, but he also had full pelvic Radiotherapy. Since the RT he has no pain. He wasn't the fittest person as his job is at a computer all day so very sedentary. It's really important that your husband gets a solid fitness regime if he hasn't already. It makes a big difference to bone health.  At least two to three times a week at the gym; Cardio,strengh (weights) and stretching. Also supplements vitamin D and calcium  for his bones ( run that by your consultant)  It's a must and it will make a huge difference. It's very frightening times for you and your husband, but things will calm down once he starts his treatment.

Best wishes to you both

Lorraine