My dad has just been told he has Prostate cancer

Thanks everyone. Just wondering how people dealt with climbing stairs after surgery? We’re wondering whether to bring the spare bed downstairs so he’s on the same floor as the kitchen and a toilet so doesnt  need to be on the stairs, or Will he be able to climb stairs? Ah roll on Monday so the surgery is done and recovery can start!! 

He needs to move around and keep active without overtiring.

It can occur years later, often in the lower limbs. I thought I had it the other day when my feet swelled up, but it seems that was the result of tramping round Hamburg and Brussels on foot for three days!

The removed lymph nodes will be examined at the post-operative biopsy, and yes, you will be told if the cancer had spread to any of them.

Cheers, John.

I sound like a broken record. But surely the MRI would show if the cancer had broken out and spread to nearby lymph nodes? I don’t understand how they can diagnose my dad with localised prostate cancer that hasn’t spread and recommend surgery but now indicate there’s still a small chance it could have spread to the lymph nodes?

Having said that, your surgeon doesn't believe dad has lymph involvement - he wouldn't be offering the operation if he believed there was spread. However, it is absolutely right for the surgeon to take a couple to have checked just in case.

Just thought I’d give an update on my dad! Had his surgery yesterday and doctor said all went well. We were in total shock at the difference from 8pm last night when he was coming round from anaesthetic to today. We walked in to the ward at 2pm to visit and he was stood up dressed waiting to go home! He is getting more sore as the drugs are wearing off and is finding it difficult to get used to the catheter but I’m sure he will get there. He has to go back on the 8th at 8am to get it taken out so only five days to go! I just want to say thank you to anyone who has taken the time to respond to my questions on here. I have a lot to learn but knowing what to expect and having the knowledge to answer some of dads questions has helped so much. Everything on the shopping list we bought and has come in super handy already. It’ll be his first night at home tonight with the night bag I think he’s nervous he’s going to yank it out but we’ve got puppy training pads all around just in case haha. So glad we have got this hurdle out of the way and are keeping positive for his recovery. Just wondering if anyone had any tips on how much getting up and moving about is good, or whether it’s  just as much as you can manage? When he’s stood up for too long we’re telling him to sit down and vice versa...I’m sure he is so happy he is surrounded by so many bossy women ! Just wondering how long people waited for their histology reports on the removed prostate as well? Thanks again!! 

Hi Userbc, 

I was just wondering how your dad is getting on?

My dad meets his surgeon tomorrow and hopefully we will get a surgery date as its feeling like a very long wait. He has his post op assessment a month ago. 

I guess my response to your initial post is a little late, whilst I am a few years older than your Father 26th September 2018 was the date I was confirmed as having Prostate Cancer along with two of my brothers.

I underwent surgery on the 13th December 2018, recovery has gone well! Being an active person before the diagnosis running/ playing football, I am still that same person today, following surgery I was able to commence running building up my distance and confidence.(6weeks)

Has your father had his operation? I had the same tests and scans your father has had with the same results being indicated, cancer within the prostate confirmed after removal at the meeting with my consultant providing the histology of the prostate. 

Be there for him, be positive things will return to normal. Dare I say even down to relationships although with a little help.

Remain positive and strong👍👍👍

Hi 

we weren’t given any recommendations as such but the surgeon did say he would be better with someone with him for first couple of days. The day after surgery he was mobile but absolutely shattered, so the first week we did nearly everything for him just because my dad would just do too much if someone wasn’t there to say ‘stop it sit down!!’ Haha. I’d say the main thing we did was keep an eye on the catheter etc and give him his injections (and force him to keep his socks on because he kept sliding them down when no one was looking!)  His operation was Monday and by Friday he was better. The following week both my mum and I went back to work and he’s been looking after himself again. Its actually really surprising how quickly he has recovered and I’m sure your dad will be the same! 

Hi everyone 

Looking for a little bit of advice. My dad had his catheter removed nearly three weeks ago (it will be 3 weeks on Monday). He’s using two big pads a day and isn’t using one throughout the night. (He accidentally didn’t put one on one night and woke up dry so trialled not wearing one a second night and has since found he’s able to go through the night dry).  He said that when he sits down he’s absolutely dry but if he stands up or walks for prolonged periods of time that is when he notices slight leakage. He said if he feels like he needs a wee and goes for one straight away he doesn’t drip...but if he tries to hold it in that’s when the dripping starts. We all think this progress is excellent for not even being three weeks post catheter removal, especially him being dry through the night and being able to mostly control his bladder apart from the dripping-however he is really struggling. I think the problem is that he is expecting too much progress too soon and doesn’t feel like he is making any. Does anyone agree that this is good progress for his stage of recovery? What were other people’s situations at this point?? He’s also not sure whether him trying to hold his wee in for as long as possible before he goes to toilet is good practise or whether he should just go when he needs it. Sorry for all of the questions. It’s so difficult seeing him frustrated and struggle knowing there’s nothing we can do. He gets annoyed when we tell him he is doing so well because he obviouly thinks he isn’t so we can’t win! Just got to keep plodding on 

Hi Everyone, 

My dad finally had his surgery (RALP) yesterday. When I saw him last night I was actually surprised how well he was, groggy but comfortable, sitting up and eating. Today however he has severe stomach pain and is vomiting. From your experience is this normal? I would have thought if this was a reaction to the anaesthetic surely this would have been yesterday? The nurse doesn't seem concerned but it is hard to track them down to speak.

Many thanks for any advice

Hi

I has similar Gleason score and MRI showed, thankfully, that the cancer had not broken out. I opted for radical prostatectomy which was done on 30th October 2017 and was not offered a bone scan. Glad to say that all seems to be OK and now just have a PSA test every 6 months - last reading 0.018.

I know this will be a worrying time for you, your dad and family but keep positive. it sounds as thought it has been caught in time.

Good luck

Bradders