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Where has my dad gone

User
Posted 12 Jul 2018 at 21:12

Hiya

my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple months ago .. it’s localised which I know it’s good his psa levels is 7 hospital ordered him hormone tablets and radiotherapy .. he started the hormone tablets straight away and we are having a meeting with consultant next week for radiotherapy but since finding out he has gone downhill 😢 he is 81 but a young one always out every weekend Irish dancing is his passion but since finding out he won’t go out he has gone off his food he is not sleeping he is not very talkative he is saying it’s the heat but  my dad use to love the sun .. so very sad to see he is wasting away .. he now has to have a cafeta as not weeing probably .. hospital saying it’s cos of hormone injections is this right? We’ve tried to keep him upbeat as we know it’s treatable but it just seems he has given up which is breaking my heart x

User
Posted 12 Jul 2018 at 22:26
Hormone therapy can have a massive impact on mood and motivation. At 81 has he not been considered for watchful waiting? This is where your dad would be monitored for symptoms and only treated if symptoms arise.

Prostate cancer is slow growing and most men die with it not of it hence not treating isn't as Iresponsible as it may seem..

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 11:56

The radiotherapy was almost a non event. Side effects during the treatment was one bout of diahorrhea, after half the sessions, plus a bit extra tiredness. Long term effects are purely a bit of extra urgency when I want a pee, but I dont have to go much more often. I just go whenever it's convenient.

The most difficult thing of radiotherapy is that you have to arrive at your appointment time with the bladder partially full, and the bowels empty, but we soon get that sorted.

The sessions are quite funny, turning up and meeting the same old group of daft old men, pulling each others legs and telling jokes. I actually miss them. 

The actual rp sessions involve lying down for 5 minutes, you dont even know when it starts and finishes. The staff are all amazing with their care, advice and good humour.

I finished my rp about 4 months ago, and waiting for my next PSA test in October to see if I'm cured, I'm quietly confident.

Re the hormones, I havent had any injections since late last year, but only now am I feeling more like my old self, that's normally how long it takes. 

For what happens if you stop the hormone therapy, or wether changing to active surveillance, give the specialist nurse at your oncology department a ring and talk to her. They are fantastically kind, understanding, expert and helpful. Ive done that a couple of times when my knickers need untwisting. You can always change your approach at any time, although reversing RP or surgery is somrwhat difficult after the event.

Good luck to you and your dad, dont forget hugs are great therapy as well!😉

 

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User
Posted 12 Jul 2018 at 22:26
Hormone therapy can have a massive impact on mood and motivation. At 81 has he not been considered for watchful waiting? This is where your dad would be monitored for symptoms and only treated if symptoms arise.

Prostate cancer is slow growing and most men die with it not of it hence not treating isn't as Iresponsible as it may seem..

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 07:21

Hormone therapy seems to be easy -on the surface.

My psa was the same as your Dads, but I had real problems with the hormone treatment as well. The hot flushes were bad enough in winter, I can only imagine how they would have been in this heatwave. 

Even worse was the fatigue, I'm also very active and struggled to do anything for more than 10 minutes before lying down for yet another kip. I gave up many of the things I love, the dogs had to make do with much shorter walks, my ukulele got dusty etc etc. The fun went out of life.

I'm a mere stripling of 70 and active surveillance was one of my options, but decided on radiotherapy. If I was ten years older I would have chosen active surveillance, knowing what I now know.

Are there any local support groups? 

Be patient and encouraging with him. It's not easy being happy and active, the fatigue is real. I wasn't easy to live with.

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 08:21

Hi

Im starting to think maybe we should have stuck with the mindful watching he had no symptoms and he was fine I just think we was all in shock and the fear of it spreading .. do you know what would happen if he stopped the hormone therapy??

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 08:24

HI Tykey

how was the radiotherapy? we have an appointment next week with a consultant regarding this?

Are you ok now?

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 11:56

The radiotherapy was almost a non event. Side effects during the treatment was one bout of diahorrhea, after half the sessions, plus a bit extra tiredness. Long term effects are purely a bit of extra urgency when I want a pee, but I dont have to go much more often. I just go whenever it's convenient.

The most difficult thing of radiotherapy is that you have to arrive at your appointment time with the bladder partially full, and the bowels empty, but we soon get that sorted.

The sessions are quite funny, turning up and meeting the same old group of daft old men, pulling each others legs and telling jokes. I actually miss them. 

The actual rp sessions involve lying down for 5 minutes, you dont even know when it starts and finishes. The staff are all amazing with their care, advice and good humour.

I finished my rp about 4 months ago, and waiting for my next PSA test in October to see if I'm cured, I'm quietly confident.

Re the hormones, I havent had any injections since late last year, but only now am I feeling more like my old self, that's normally how long it takes. 

For what happens if you stop the hormone therapy, or wether changing to active surveillance, give the specialist nurse at your oncology department a ring and talk to her. They are fantastically kind, understanding, expert and helpful. Ive done that a couple of times when my knickers need untwisting. You can always change your approach at any time, although reversing RP or surgery is somrwhat difficult after the event.

Good luck to you and your dad, dont forget hugs are great therapy as well!😉

 

User
Posted 13 Jul 2018 at 13:45

Thank you tykey

and fingers crossed for you .. you have made me feel better already xx

User
Posted 28 Jul 2018 at 17:33

From elsewhere onsite...

If you stop your hormone therapy, your testosterone levels will gradually rise again and some of the side effects will reduce. This may take several months.

 
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