I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

Just diagnosed.

User
Posted 14 Mar 2017 at 22:56
Hi. I'm 70 and have just been diagnosed with PC I have a PSA of 27 and a Gleason of 4+4=8. Also MRi T3A I have been put on Bicalutamide 50 mg for 4 weeks. Then LHRH in 2 weeks time. Radio therapy has been talked about to follow this. I am very concerned as I am a carer as my wife has had a bad stroke and can't do very much to look after herself. Any thoughts would be appreciated pete47.

Edited by member 16 Mar 2017 at 23:47  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 00:16

So very sorry that you are in this situation Pete - must be very worrying for you and particularly hard to cope with as a carer. I don't have the expertise to help but there are lots of people on this site who will be able to give you advice and support and plentiful hope. Just wanted to send my best wishes in the meantime.

Hugs

Eleanor

User
Posted 17 Mar 2017 at 00:34

Johsan just meant that although she couldn't advise you because her husband didn't have radiotherapy, she was replying anyway to move your post up the ladder. Many members log on and just look at the most recent posts so a question with not many answers can get lost or missed.

RT is usually given every weekday for 7 weeks or every day for 4 weeks. It only takes a few minutes but depending on the hospital you might have to be at the clinic for 45 minutes or so each day to drink your water; have an enema (maybe ... not all hospitals do that) etc.

Many men have no side effects from the RT at all, as a carer you might find that it is the hormones that cause you more problems as you lose muscle mass, may have extreme fatigue, mood swings and joint pain.

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

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 00:16

So very sorry that you are in this situation Pete - must be very worrying for you and particularly hard to cope with as a carer. I don't have the expertise to help but there are lots of people on this site who will be able to give you advice and support and plentiful hope. Just wanted to send my best wishes in the meantime.

Hugs

Eleanor

User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 15:14

Bumping you Pete as neither myself nor Eleanor can offer advice

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 17:17

Hope your prostatic lesion can be successfully treated and you can manage the situation.
Best wishes,
Lola

User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 18:28
HI Pete

It sounds like your medical team have a plan of action for your treatment that will probably involve Radiotherapy.

As can often be administered daily for several weeks ( up to 8 weeks) you may need to arrange for someone to sit with your wife whilst you are at your appointments.

You will certainly need some support at this time and I hope that you will be able to arrange it, as you have a few weeks before treatment starts it does give the opportunity to make any arrangements.

Ask your team when Radiotherapy will start as sometimes it can be after 6 months of hormone treatment.

Men have different reactions to the Radiotherapy but many carry on with life as usual and fit the treatment into their day ( some even on the way to work). There is a bit of trial and error in terms of emptying bladder/ bowel at the correct times but your medical team will advise you about this.

Some men do suffer from additional tiredness so again you may need some more help for your wife to allow you to get some rest.

The hormone therapy may also have side effects including more tiredness, lack of strength, again men react differently.

In terms of your illness, it looks like they are going for radical treatment so hopefully this will put the cancer to sleep for some time ( at least) or hopefully get rid of it once and for all.

I hope this helps a little, there is a lot to read on this website and the toolkit document on here is very thorough.

All the best

Alison

User
Posted 15 Mar 2017 at 18:35

It might be worth discussing with your specialist whether you actually need the RT so much that it is worth the additional problems that will cause in terms of your wife's care. If you do want to go ahead with RT at some point, you may be able to have 20 sessions at a higher dose rather than the traditional delivery model of 37 sessions at a slightly lower dose.

It may also be worth you requesting a carer's assessment - the LA would then have to liaise with your health providers to see whether additional support needs to be put in place (such as someone to sit with your wife when you are at appointments, perhaps)

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

User
Posted 16 Mar 2017 at 23:43
Thanks for your responce. I have only just received the toolkit and am in the dark about RT, frequency etc, I will read up and find out more, pete
User
Posted 17 Mar 2017 at 00:25
Sorry Johsan, not sure what you mean. My concerns are about the procedure of RT and how I will fell. With regards to my wife, she can cope while I'm out but will not be able to do much.
User
Posted 17 Mar 2017 at 00:34

Johsan just meant that although she couldn't advise you because her husband didn't have radiotherapy, she was replying anyway to move your post up the ladder. Many members log on and just look at the most recent posts so a question with not many answers can get lost or missed.

RT is usually given every weekday for 7 weeks or every day for 4 weeks. It only takes a few minutes but depending on the hospital you might have to be at the clinic for 45 minutes or so each day to drink your water; have an enema (maybe ... not all hospitals do that) etc.

Many men have no side effects from the RT at all, as a carer you might find that it is the hormones that cause you more problems as you lose muscle mass, may have extreme fatigue, mood swings and joint pain.

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

 
Forum Jump  
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK