Hi
My husband 79 has recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. No discernible symptoms, but was picked up because he had a very painful hip so was tested for this with his annual Diabetes blood test. His PSA was 440, which the hospital doctor we saw at his first appointment told us meant it had almost certainly already spread and he put him straight onto hormone therapy tablets even before any scans and the biopsy. Scans showed spread to pelvis and spine and the Gleason Score was 4+5=9. When he was at the day unit for the biopsy, the surgeon was brutally blunt, telling us that the cancer was not curable and would stop responding to the hormone blockers before long.
He was received Degarelix injections twice before he saw a lovely oncologist who has started him on 6 cycles of Docetaxel, the first of which he had yesterday, plus changing him to 3 monthly prostap injections. The chemotherapy is at the larger branch of the hospital and everyone has been so lovely there, even though they are busy
This is such a strange, scary and somewhat confusing world we now find ourselves in and I am having to be strong for my husband.
Hello Mumstheword
A warm welcome to the group although I am so sorry to find you joining us.
Yes, I would agree the cancer is treatable but not curable but to tell you
and would stop responding to the hormone blockers before long.
is just wrong - if it was me I would be writing to ask where his evidence is for this statement, yes it can happen but not to everyone!
Your husband sounds like a strong person and is holding up well - but if you have any questions please do ask them, nothing is too trivial and there's plenty of experience here.
You may also wish to join the Chemotherapy group too and here's the link you need:
If you need any extra support yourself please do call our Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) they are a great bunch and will be there to listen.
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.
Hello Mumstheword
I'm very sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis and agree wholeheartedly with Brian's Millibob comments concerning expected response to hormone blockers.
I had docetaxel in 2024 as part of a treatment package for recurrent prostate cancer (I'm also incurable but treatable - fast approaching my 70th birthday in July). I wrote a blog on the experience and, although we all react differently to chemo, it might be of interest if you want to take a look. The link is below.
My best wishes,
Derek.
Prostate Cancer Recurrence - Triple Therapy
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
