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Dads psa is rising...

User
Posted 05 Aug 2015 at 22:34
Hello all

Thought I would turn to this support group online as didn't know where else to turn to

My dad got diagnosed with prostate cancer 2009 psa being 19 ( he is now 63 years old and I'm 22)

He had treatment (still having it now 3 monthly)

Lately his psa has been rising each time he had a psa test and has gone upto 29 now...

Bit worried what does that mean?!

He had a bone scan but hasn't heard back from then in a couple weeks . I'm guessing this is a good thing?

Thankyou for your time

Heather

User
Posted 06 Aug 2015 at 08:20

Hi Heather you will have a better idea of where your dad is at when the test results are back , try to go with him to his next appointment ( if he will let you we are stubborn us men ) and ask about his rising psa and future treatment . all the best Andy

User
Posted 06 Aug 2015 at 08:40

hi heather

if you have a contact number for one of the nurses give them a ring two weeks seems a long time to me, my results where always around 7 days.

nidge

run long and prosper

'pooh how do you spell love'

'piglet you dont spell love -you just feel it'

User
Posted 06 Aug 2015 at 09:15

Hi Heather, the rising PSA usually means that the hormone treatment isn't working as well as it did before - it might be that the hormone he is on isn't completely stopping his testosterone production (otherwise described as getting him to castrate level) OR that the cancer cells have learned to survive without testosterone. Either way, the oncologist will probably want to change the hormone at next appointment, or will maybe add another kind of hormone treatment to the existing one. It is good practice for the onco to arrange a scan every so often just to check nothing else is going on.

When is his next routine appointment with the onco due? Could he phone his nurse specialist to find out if the scan results are back?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 06 Aug 2015 at 09:39
Hi Heather

This is a really good place to get some friendly support when you need it the most. We have a lot of daughters who have Dads that have PCa posting on here regularly.

It sounds like you want to be involved with your Dad's journey, you have not said if your Mum or another significant partner is also there supporting him.

Have a chat with Dad and let him know you want to be supportive and if you can maybe go with him when he sees the consultant.

The scan results should be ready by now but what happens next depends on the initial review by the consultant radiologist. Sometimes they need to be reviewed at a special meeting called a multi disciplinary team meeting. This is where consultants and specialist nurses,radiographers etc. from radiology,urology,oncology discuss patients and how as a team they will take the next steps. These usually happen once a week towards the end of the week. The cases they review are normally prioritised by level of urgency. So it can take a while. Then a follow up appointment should be made for your Dad.

If he is concerned then he can ring the consultant's secretary and ask them to check what is happening.

Your Dad may be used to dealing with this in his own way and he may be trying to protect you from the clinical side of things, he could also feel a little awkward about the intimate nature of this disease. So he might need time to get comfortable sharing some of this with you his very young and lovely daughter.

I wish you all the best

Xx

Mo

User
Posted 08 Aug 2015 at 21:12
He has a hospital appointment on Monday

Hope all goes ok!

Thankyou for your helpful words :)

Heather x

User
Posted 08 Aug 2015 at 21:18
Thankyou Mo

My mum and dad split up few years ago but my dad is now with someone new, she is good to him too.

My mum and dad are best friends now but my mum doesn't like talking to me about dad's cancer

My brother is 29 and we aren't that close, he's not good with talking about this kind of thing.

All your kind words are very comforting and give me more of an understanding so thankyou speak soon x

User
Posted 08 Aug 2015 at 22:52
MMM not an easy situation, your Dad and Mum may be close and good friends but if they are actually divorced your mum has no real right to know about your Dad's treatments. If he has remarried his new partner does have some rights. As a daughter you can be included totally if your Dad lets the medical team know he is happy for you to be included. Your brother likewise.

So the best thing for now is to wait and see what happens on Monday and then come back here if you need any support, advice or just to let off steam.

best wishes

xx

Mo

 
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