Still waiting for bone scan!

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User

Posted 24 Jun 2016 at 07:11

Hello again I posted on Tuesday to say we had just received the shocking news dad had been diagnosed with prostate gleeson 4:5 and PSA 13, unfortunately it's spread outside the prostate and into the lymph nodes and with all his aches and pains it looks like his bones too, although a bone scan has been requested dad has been given hormone tablets but isn't allowed to start taking them until he's had scan as they can effect the scan results! I wish it would hurry up the sooner he can start on his treatment the sooner he can start fighting this.
One thing I wonder is why he hasn't been offered chemo maybe a stupid question I'm new to this and learning so much every day. But reading some posts I see a lot of people have. I know every one is different and no two cases are the same. Just wondered if it's because it's too advanced that's why there not offering it.
Since joining this site on Wednesday I've been inspired and amazed at some truly wonderful uplifting stories of courage and strength and all being united against this fight on the horrid disease. Thank you one and all.
Amanda

User

Posted 24 Jun 2016 at 13:34

Hi Amanda
I'm sure his bone scan will come through quite quickly plus there will be time taken to review the outcome. It's truly horrible during the waiting for the full picture period, I can't even remember how we got through it, but somehow we did. I starkly remember the urologist telling us that it had spread and then simply say, be positive and contact the specialist nurse who will explain everything, goodbye. The nurse was on holiday so it was a couple of weeks before we saw her and got the complete picture. We did get immediate HT started though, bicalutimide for three weeks and then zoladex. That was over five years ago.

In the intervening five years the Stampede trial has shown that early chemo is very effective, but as far as I know, not every hospital is offering it. It might be good to ask. I wish John had had it earlier as he's not really ever going t be able to have it now as he has a supra pubic catheter and gets too many infections.

It's early days for you all, such a lot to take in. Try not to panic and think everything has to be done right away, the important thing is get that bone scan and get the HT started, it should knock back the cancer a good amount.

Take care
Devonmaid

User

Posted 24 Jun 2016 at 13:55

Thank you dad has had the appointment come through for next Wednesday for the bone scan seems ages away .
Maybe Odstock in Salisbury don't offer chemo I was surprised that it was just hormone but didt like to ask consultant in front of dad at the time. Then I though maybe because it's spread to lymph and possibly bones it's to far gone and chemo would not be effected. You can think so much can't you and over think again and again no one knows I guess.
Thank you for taking time to reply and wish you and your husband all the best
Manda x

User

Posted 24 Jun 2016 at 14:23

Until very recently we would have been advising you to be grateful that chemo wasn't suggested - chemo does not kill PCa so it was only given to men in the very final stages of their life to reduce the side effects of the tumours. It is only in the last year or two that research has suggested chemo can make the hormone treatments work for longer - some hospitals will be offering it routinely while others will still say it is only available if you get a place on a trial. Nor is chemo suitable for everyone - my father in law got heart failure from his chemo.

Worth noting that despite public opinion, there are very few cancers that chemo can actually cure - lymphoma and leukemia being two possibilities. Chemo alone does not treat bowel cancer, breast cancer or brain tumours either although it is often given alongside another treatment to increase the effects - surgery & radiotherapy for breast cancer, for example.

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

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