Hi all, just joined your group and have been finding comfort and reassurance from your inspiring posts. Thought I'd introduce myself and ask what may seem to be a slightly odd question!
My partner of 24 years has recently been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer, psa 1766, Gleason 9 (4+5), spread to lymph nodes, pelvis, both femurs and spine. Came as a complete shock, he has had no symptoms apart from emotional and character changes through the past 4/5 years, something I had (wrongly!) put down to his age (68) and tiredness from still working full time.
He has started hormone treatment and will be starting chemo in the next couple of weeks. I thought he had adjusted reasonably well and we have been plodding on with getting our lives back to as near normal as we can. However, the reality of his impending chemo has really knocked him for six, he is irritable, tense and is often on the brink of tears.
I wondered if anyone else has experienced this emotional withdrawal and character change, he always used to be a demonstrative and loving man, plenty of hugs, gentle touches and he always put everyone else's needs and wishes before his own. Now he is withdrawn, horribly self centred and the cuddles have all but disappeared. Since starting hormone therapy I occasionally see flashes of the loving man I used to know, they are always very brief but make me wonder if these changes are all due to the cancer? And as his cancer comes under control will I see more of my 'real' man again?
Also any advice on how best to support my man through his chemo would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!