Dad with prostate cancer diagnosis, travelled to hip and spine

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Hello all , I really appreciate being accepted to this group 

my dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and unfortunately it’s spread to his hip and 3rd vertebrae, now then this is the hard bit , the news has hit him like a ton a bricks and he’s been really ill with it to be quiet honest 

they found the cancer after he presented himself at the walk in centre with back pain and they did a X-ray , since then he’s shut eveything off and gone really ill and depressed Pensive 

he was supposed to go to a biopsy last week but the waiting time when he got there was over a hour and he just could not sit and wait due to his pain in his hip , I explained to the doctor this aswell , then on the Friday he was supposed to attend a ct scan but due to being bed bound and so I’ll he couldn’t attend this , so I got a doctor out to him 

symptoms as follows 

being sick 

shaking ( badly ) 

off his food 

being sick 

and bad pain 

they said he didn’t need hospital and that he needs to take sickness meds and have him amoxicillin due to having a urine infection , he’s finished all that now and nurse that come out did his urine sample and said it was ok 

he seems to be having up days and down days but the down days are awful he’s in bad pain and sleeps and gets confused with days etc , today I visited him and he hasn’t been up all day or eaten , I managed to get some chicken down hiM and a few slices of cucumber and he drank some juice ( not like him he loves his cups of tea ) 

going forward I’m so worried because I honest don’t even think this week he is fit enough for this scan , it’s getting him dressed and getting him there , I feel like I have no support ( I’m 32) , he doesn’t want to keep missing these appointments but how can he help it when so off his feet ! 

I don’t no what to do next I really don’t , because only 3 days ago I had him in my partners car he ate chippy and seemed ok , then today back down again , is this normal 

also he has been given morfine for his pain , I think I’ve seen a difference in him since taking this ( maybe it’s not agreeing ) but he needs it for his pain as the tramadol he was given really really made him zoned out and I’ve banned them ! They are awful 

so , tomorrow is the start of a new week and I don’t no what to suggest, am I doing the right thing by letting it ride out , how am I supposed to get him to these appointments, will a doctor eventually ring me to have a chat , I really don’t no because surely he should be on some sort of medication for his cancer 

he is on medication for his bones that’s it ! 
surely they can’t just leave him like this , he lives on his own aswell but I’m in and out all the time and his ex wife my mum goes first thing in the mornings 

thanks so so much for reading and please any advice or positive words will help me right now , I keep reading forums of positive endings and I hope this is the case for dad 

  • Hello  

    Thank you for your post. I am so sorry to read of your dad's situation - sadly on a Prostate Cancer journey you need to advocate for yourself and I think you are going to need to do this for your dad.

    You say he's been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer therefore the oncology department of his hospital is aware of his condition. 

    I think the starting point for you here must be the GP - you need to get an urgent appointment with his GP and not just a five minute appointment - a longer one to discuss his case. For me I think you need to ask for

    * A medication review for his pain medication. Tell the GP just how he's been, everything pain, confusion, eating etc.

    * A treatment plan for his diagnosis.

    * Help from his local hospice for "palliative care" - please note palliative care does not mean end of life care. These people can provide the extra care dad needs.

    * Contact his oncology consultant - make them aware of dad's inability to attend scans or the biopsy and ask them for a solution.

    I know this puts the pressure on you but sadly "he who shouts gets" but don't shout too loudly.

    Remember our Support Line is there for you on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) for both you and dad - do give them a call - they will be able to help.

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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