Hello everyone my 1st time here.
Im almost 5 weeks in to post radical prostatectomy.
I had 1 course hormone treatment prior as was going to have radiotheraphy but changed my mind.
Physical recovery good, incontinence good, ED to early yet but fingers crossed
Main issue currengly is emotions since started hormone treatment became emitional and short tempered.
Since op Ive become very insecure, confident low.
Questioning my wife all the time where she is going and with who. More or less acussed her of having an affair.
Its driving me mad (im 56)
Hello Robbored4d7417
Welcome to the group although I am so sorry to find you here.
Sadly cancer is a couples journey and some of the treatment and medication (hormone therapy being one) can mess with your emotions, your confidence and your mental health.
Here's a few ideas for you:
* Do you have a "Maggie's" near you - this is a cancer charity where you can drop in and chat about your issues and get advice - link here - "Maggie's".
* Give our Support Line a call on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) there are some great folk there who can help you through this.
* If your local hospital has a Macmillan Centre call in there for some help and support.
* How about having a new friend to talk to once a week - it doesn't have to be cancer - it could be anything but they are trained to help you - details here - Macmillan Buddies.
I hope the above helps, if I can do anything else for you please do let me know.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
Thanks Brian
I will I have seen a Macmillan centre at my local hospital. I give it a go
Hi Robbored4d7417 & your wife
as Brian says it is certainly a couples journey . We use our local Maggie Centre attached to the hospital and find them very supportive . Well worth a visit . It gives you somewhere to voice your feeling without being judged . You can have personal counselling of as a couple .
best wishes & hugs
Liz & OH xx
Hi liz & OH
Its all good information. I was not expecting or prepared for all the emotional issues after the op I thought it would only be physical. How wrong I am
Sorry forgot to say thanks.
My head is all over the place
Hello Rob, I really sorry to hear about your difficulties but a good first step is to acknowledge your problems and reach out for support. And that is just what you have done! So, well done!
I won’t repeat Brian’s words of wisdom but I will say that years ago I had a hysterectomy ( removal of womb). I no sooner had it done when I wanted another baby! Yup! My emotions were all over the place! My gp told me it was a grief reaction to the operation. I don’t know whether any of this equates with what you men experience?
re your wife. Can I add the viewpoint of a wife, please? For us wives and partners the whole prostate cancer journey is also one of very turbulent emotions. We try to support our husbands through the thick of it but it really does take its toll on us. I have always said this is a couple’s illness. We love our husbands dearly but we are almost paralysed with our fear for them and our fear of being left on our own.we are scared silly of any treatment pathway and scared silly of no treatment. We are breaking up inside while trying to get our menfolk through it and also trying to come to terms with our lives as envisaged ( for us - perpetual youth, good holidays, enjoyable retirement, being totally carefree now the kids are independent etc) is suddenly turned upside down.
in a nutshell ( pardon the pun) us wives struggle big time too and support out there for us is pretty non existent from the NHS .
i don’t know you and your wife or you both as a couple, but, if my experience is anything to go by, she is not going out for an affair but is seeking a bit of friendship and off loading to avoid burdening you at this time with her own troubles. For example, Sidsmum (who posts here) and I don’t live too far from each other. We meet up occasionally and swap and compare notes. We laugh, we talk for England ( not always about PC) and I think we both part company feeling that much better for being able to off loading our thoughts, feelings and experiences with somebody on a similar journey. It’s what we women folk do - right from the playground!
I do hope you can get the support you need - from here in this forum and locally and that you will soon feel much better..
Hi
Thanks for words of wisdom.I have today had another conversation with my wifeand hopefully bit by bit starting to unbderstand each others feeling.
It's good to here from a womans point of view.
Today I had spoken in depth to both our adult children. 1 lives with us other away.
I gave them my feelings and gave them reassurance mum and me work through it
Thanks again start of a long journey hopefully with my wife by myself
Hello Rob, yes, it’s the start of one particular journey among a lifetime of different journeys. I send you and your family my very best wishes for this particular journey Keep talking and good luck!
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007