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Newly Diagnosed: My Dad's Prostate Cancer

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User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 10:27

Hello,


I came here a while ago in a panic when my Dad was undergoing tests for prostate cancer. His bone scan was clear. The MRI showed an enlarged, asymmetrical prostate. He's been diagnosed with early localised prostate cancer. His PSA at diagnosis was 52 and his Gleason score is 8, 13/14 cores were positive, so the localised diagnosis might be upgraded following further scans, I suppose. 


He's a couple of months away from 80, and this and his heart problems means surgery isn't an option. He's on hormone tablets (bicalutamide, if memory serves) at the moment and is due to receive an implant (Zoladex). There has been talk of radiotherapy too, though how he's going to get to his appointments is a source of worry. 


So, that's where we are at the moment. It could be a lot worse. It could be better. He's OK, it seems, though there's some concern about his blood following two 5-day periods he spent off warfarin during his diagnosis (before one cancelled biopsy and a second that went ahead as planned).


He came to stay with us over Christmas and appeared fairly relaxed. He ate well and didn't seemed too stressed. He's not suffering any obvious side effects of the hormone therapy as yet.


I'm calmer now, but my Dad's prostate cancer is the last thing I think of a night and the first when I wake. That's normal, I expect.


Thanks for reading,


Denise

User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 12:06

Hi it sounds like they have started curative treatment for your dad if RT is being offered.
From the men I know who are on HT the side effects vary from person to person. Hopefully your dad will cope well.
You are worried about how he will get to the RT appointments so I am presuming he does not drive. If this is the case the hospital may be able to provide transport so it is worth contacting them to enquire about this.

Here's hoping everything goes well with his treatment

Bri

User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 13:09

Hi Denise
I'm far from an expert but your dad at the ripe age of 80 has been " lucky" to have his cancer found at what seems a relatively early stage. At this stage it is very treatable indeed with various HT and RT options. As Bri says some authorities provide hospital transport if necessary.
It only goes to say I wish you luck.
Chris

User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 13:38

Hello Denise.

Thanks for the update on your dad.

I'm glad that he is being treated and not just being ignored because of his age (that does happen believe me).

Hopefully his hormone tablets and implant will help enormously to reduce the size of the prostate in readiness for the RT.

He is relatively lucky as the others have said. but with health problems and his age it is no wonder you are worried.
However, if your dad is pretty laid back about it then try and follow his example. I'm sure you do your best not to show your concerns.
Yes, when you have a loved one with a potentially life threatening illness last and first thoughts of the day are bound to be about them but he is in the best possible hands and I am sure that staff are doing their utmost to make sure he stays as fit and as well as possible.

Hospital transport would be a boon in getting him there and back, although sometimes it's necessary to pick up and drop back at inconvenient times or with a lot of hanging around, but at least it would be worth making the enquiry.

I wish him and you all the best for 2016 and hope it all goes well.

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 09:51
It might be worth asking your Dad's surgery if they run a volunteer hospital car service. I have used my car as part of our local service to take people to and from hospital appointments. When it comes to RT appointments the drive from here is a 90 mile round trip and we have special parking arrangements with the main hospitals.
If the surgery does not have such a volunteer service you local council may have details of a similar scheme. The car is insured through the scheme for carrying patients and the patient makes an anonymous donation if they can towards the cost.
It is worth asking.
Hope all goes well.
Kevan
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 10:18
Not sure where you live Deejay but when I had RT transport was arranged for me every day from Harlow to North Middx hospital in Edmonton. They provided a taxi each day and the driver made several patient pick-ups around the area. On return we waited in the discharge lounge until everyone was ready to go home then the staff in that area phoned the taxi company. We had the same driver every day and apart from an early start it worked really well.

Hope something like that works where you live.

Arthur
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 10:31
Hi Denise

I don't know where your father is situated, but the hospital I attended ( QE Birmingham) had rooms available for those that lived far away like myself if required, so this maybe an option, as well as the free travel option.

Roy
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 21:03

Our hospital has a fleet of minibuses for ferrying people to and from appointments - the criteria is that the person cannot get themselves there or back and doesn't have anyone to take them. It can take a long time, that's the problem.

Deejay, when it comes to it can you not just tell your brother what to do?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 10:58
Dear Deejay and for anyone else interested,

My dad also runs a community driving car where he takes people to appointments and holidays for the price of his petrol and a small running costs fee, much cheaper than a taxi and he waits outside the hospital for people and takes them in if required.

He is based in Rossendale, and covers quite a few hospitals and pushes wheelchairs when needed.

Alison
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User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 12:06

Hi it sounds like they have started curative treatment for your dad if RT is being offered.
From the men I know who are on HT the side effects vary from person to person. Hopefully your dad will cope well.
You are worried about how he will get to the RT appointments so I am presuming he does not drive. If this is the case the hospital may be able to provide transport so it is worth contacting them to enquire about this.

Here's hoping everything goes well with his treatment

Bri

User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 13:09

Hi Denise
I'm far from an expert but your dad at the ripe age of 80 has been " lucky" to have his cancer found at what seems a relatively early stage. At this stage it is very treatable indeed with various HT and RT options. As Bri says some authorities provide hospital transport if necessary.
It only goes to say I wish you luck.
Chris

User
Posted 04 Jan 2016 at 13:38

Hello Denise.

Thanks for the update on your dad.

I'm glad that he is being treated and not just being ignored because of his age (that does happen believe me).

Hopefully his hormone tablets and implant will help enormously to reduce the size of the prostate in readiness for the RT.

He is relatively lucky as the others have said. but with health problems and his age it is no wonder you are worried.
However, if your dad is pretty laid back about it then try and follow his example. I'm sure you do your best not to show your concerns.
Yes, when you have a loved one with a potentially life threatening illness last and first thoughts of the day are bound to be about them but he is in the best possible hands and I am sure that staff are doing their utmost to make sure he stays as fit and as well as possible.

Hospital transport would be a boon in getting him there and back, although sometimes it's necessary to pick up and drop back at inconvenient times or with a lot of hanging around, but at least it would be worth making the enquiry.

I wish him and you all the best for 2016 and hope it all goes well.

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 09:22

Thank you all for your replies. My Dad has some health issues but remains active. He gets out and about every day. He's not a frail 80 year old, so I hope RT will go ahead. He doesn't drive. Neither do I. He could get a lift to his RT appointments on some days and my partner and I could stay with him for a while and take him there and back, but if we can't arrange transport on the remaining days, then it'll be a three bus/train journey there and back. My brother lives with Dad but has so far done nothing to support him or help him in any way through the diagnosis. He hasn't attended any of the appointments and has made no attempt to gather info. I don't think we can rely on him for anything.


We'll work something out, however. These appointments are too important to miss.

Edited by member 07 Jan 2016 at 09:23  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 09:51
It might be worth asking your Dad's surgery if they run a volunteer hospital car service. I have used my car as part of our local service to take people to and from hospital appointments. When it comes to RT appointments the drive from here is a 90 mile round trip and we have special parking arrangements with the main hospitals.
If the surgery does not have such a volunteer service you local council may have details of a similar scheme. The car is insured through the scheme for carrying patients and the patient makes an anonymous donation if they can towards the cost.
It is worth asking.
Hope all goes well.
Kevan
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 10:01

Thank you for the reply, Kevan. I'll certainly ask about volunteer car services in our area. What a lovely, caring thing to do, offering your time to help people get to hospital appointments http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif. A 90 miles round trip is some journey! 

Edited by member 07 Jan 2016 at 10:03  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 10:18
Not sure where you live Deejay but when I had RT transport was arranged for me every day from Harlow to North Middx hospital in Edmonton. They provided a taxi each day and the driver made several patient pick-ups around the area. On return we waited in the discharge lounge until everyone was ready to go home then the staff in that area phoned the taxi company. We had the same driver every day and apart from an early start it worked really well.

Hope something like that works where you live.

Arthur
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 10:31
Hi Denise

I don't know where your father is situated, but the hospital I attended ( QE Birmingham) had rooms available for those that lived far away like myself if required, so this maybe an option, as well as the free travel option.

Roy
User
Posted 07 Jan 2016 at 21:03

Our hospital has a fleet of minibuses for ferrying people to and from appointments - the criteria is that the person cannot get themselves there or back and doesn't have anyone to take them. It can take a long time, that's the problem.

Deejay, when it comes to it can you not just tell your brother what to do?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 07:33

Thanks all. I'm sure some of the options mentioned in your replies will be available to us. And, under the circumstances, I'm sure my brother will help put too. Between us, we'll get Dad the treatment he needs.


Denise

User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 02:07
Hi Denise

I'm thinking of you and your dad. This is such a tough time for you all.
Keep us updated with your dad's progress.
My dad has recently had his biopsy done. So we are worried beyond belief

Best wishes

Cathy.
Cathy 💗💗💗💗
User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 05:53

 


 


Hello Cathy and welcome.


Sorry  you're dad has joined the club but it is good that you are there to support him.


 


There is a lot of information to be gleaned from this site and the friendly people on it, all of whom have been in your situation at some stage, so we understand the fear and the worry.


 


Please give us an update, when you have it, of your dad's situation. The biopsy results, his PSA, Gleason score etc as it helps when people are offering advice.


You already have the knowledge with your three uncles that PC can be successfully treated so that should reassure you.


If you want help or information it might be better to start a conversation of your own as help for you might get lost in the posts on this one.


In the meantime, keep strong and supportive and take care of yourself.


 


All the best


Sandra

Edited by member 10 Jan 2016 at 07:18  | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 09:06
Hi Sandra

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I'll certainly keep you all updated.
Cathy 💗💗💗💗
User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 10:58
Dear Deejay and for anyone else interested,

My dad also runs a community driving car where he takes people to appointments and holidays for the price of his petrol and a small running costs fee, much cheaper than a taxi and he waits outside the hospital for people and takes them in if required.

He is based in Rossendale, and covers quite a few hospitals and pushes wheelchairs when needed.

Alison
User
Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 13:26

What a lovely man your dad is Alison.

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
 
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