Hello there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about your husband's situation and appreciate you wanting a better understanding of what is going on.

You have posted on the ask the nurses section of the forum but hopefully other forum users on here will also pop on with their experiences.

I hope the appointment last night went well and that you may have some more information from them as well.

Every patient going through a diagnosis of cancer is different and coping styles will vary. Often patients go through a range of emotions along the way and this is all very normal. Some patients need extra support whether that be emotional, psychological or physical and the team involved in your husbands care will assess his needs at every step.

We have a section about coping with cancer here.

Most treatments I'm afraid do come with possible side effects and once again what one patient experiences will be different to another and it is difficult to predict how someone will be. It is important that your husband takes things one step at a time but also is aware of the possible side effects and different ways that these can be managed if they do occur.

You can read about prostate cancer here and hormone treatment here.

If any side effects or other symptoms are intolerable or are interfering with everyday life your husband must let his team know so they can re-assess him and come up with some solutions.

Whilst I understand the doctors are carrying out some more tests to work out the bigger picture of what is going on there will be pain killers that can be prescribed to try and ease his pain so do encourage him to take any pain medication he is given.

I would also encourage him to speak to his GP about his pain when he can so he is given the most appropriate pain killers.

I hope this is of some help to you but please get back if you wish. We also have a nurse helpline on 0808 800 4040 which you are welcome to call Monday-Friday 9-5.

Wishing you both the very best

Naomi

Hi Naomi

Thank you for your reassuring words and advice.  Mike was told yesterday by the Consultnat that it was very likely the cancer had spread to the bones in his rib cage which is where his pain is. Today he has commenced on a hormone drug which we are told will shrink the cancer cells.  We will see the consultant again once all his test results come back.  The consultant did say that it was good his xray result was normal, so a small blessing here.  I asked him about the outcome for Mike and he said it was good. We have to remain positive and that is what I am trying to do with Mike.

Gillian

If nobody has told you or Mike, bone scan will take at least 4 hours + ,the scan itself is around 1/2 hr injection of radiation takes 10 minutes ,rest of time is waiting in specal room waiting for fluid to get round body and to bones. Mike will want to read eat and drink probably. But should stop in that room, sometimes they bring things round food and drink. Ther is a toilet. 

Remember he will have to keep clear of young children and pregnant women. All that day, after scan he wants to drink plenty to help clear his body of radiation. 

I've had over 10 bone scans and all about the same, apart from some one brought in giger counter and checked me over.nurse said just checking it's going round properly. 

Billy 

Don't forget if i can help im on most days. 

HI Billy, thank you for this advice. We only received the information a few minutes ago and is exactly as you have said.  It so reassuring to hear from you especially as we are in the begining of this cancer journey. Mike started his first hormone tablet this morning so will see how he gets on. I am encouraging him  to be positive as at the moment he is feeling quite low, thininkg he wont make it to Xmas!! He is an extremely fit man and this is the first time ever in his life he is having to attend hospital so as a 79 year old ( 80 next month) he is doing very well.  Any advice on what I can do to get him into a more positive state of mind. G.

I always think something to consontrate on occupy the mind, so he's not thinking about cancer  .gardening going somewhere, get him helping you spring cleaning tidy the loft, anything really. 

Keeping positive really helps as does Keeping fit. 

Hormone tablets don't normally have much effect unless needs stronger, is he having injection as well. 

Billy 

No he only started the hormone tabs today. Wont know the full treatment plan until we get all the results from the various scans etc.

Please keep in touch and I'll try to give you information if needed. 

Billy 

i keep hoping others will join with information as well. 

HI Billy, I am sure there must be others who can share their experience as it would be so hepful.

HI Billy, I am sure there must be others who can share their experience as it would be so hepful.

Alot of prostate patients have been on forum for years, there's a couple who had it contained to prostate still on now and again. But I've not seen any lately with mets, I'll keep looking. 

Billy 

Thank you Billy. Just you being in touch with me is helping a lot.

So we are meeting with the Consulstant Urologist this evening to hear the results of the Ct,MRI and bone scan. The chest Xray for Oestolytic lesion came back as normal.  I am dreading the meeting however am being very posistive for Mike.who is at the moment out playing badmnton and apparently playing very well!.  He hasnt taken any pain medication for the last 3 days,is feeling really well. He appears to be aback to his normal self especially keen to do bits around the garden which he pur or for a few weeks.  I am not sure what to read into this, so just hope for a favourable outcome. 

Has anyone been thgouh this type of experience especially with advnaced prostate cancer and on hormone tablets.

Maud

Hello there and thanks for getting back in touch

Hopefully this evening once you have spoken to the consultant you will have a better understanding of this situation and what the future may look like.

Whilst other people may post on here everyone is different and it is difficult to compare patients even if the story sounds similar.

Try not to worry too much but rather take things one day at a time. It is good to hear your husband is feeling well in himself at the moment and is carrying on with life as best he can.

Do write down and ask the specialist any other questions you may have as they are in the best position to answer these.

I wish you both all the best and do get back in touch if you wish. Our helpline 0808 800 4040 is open 9-5 Monday-Friday if you would prefer to talk over the phone.

Take care

Naomi

HI Naomi, are you able to tell me anything about the chest xray Mike had for Oestolytic lesions?.  The result was normal but I still am perplexed at this request.

Hi All, we had our appointment with the Consultant Urologiost and its not good news. Mike's cancer has spread to his lungs, lymph and spine. In addition he thinks there is a small lump in the rectum when he did an rectal examination. HOwever he wasnt sure about this and told us he will refer to the colo rectal team. So as you can imagine this is not what we were expecting given that Mike was feeling so good. HOwever the consultant did say that with drugs the cancer would be managed and controlled. I am so upset and in a state of shock at the moment. 

Maud

Really sorry to hear this ... It is natural you feel upset and shock.

Have you thought of posting this in the Caring for Someone with Cancer section too? Only a lot of people don't answer posts in the Ask the Nurses section. 

When given this kind of news, it does take time to process ... 

Try to take things one day at a time where every good day is a good day and the more good days the better.

I'm really sorry you are having to deal with this. It isn't easy.

Hi Naomi, we have had bad news thisevening.Mike's cancer has sprad to his lungs, lymph nodes and spine.  As you can imagine I am devastated and strangely enough Mike is taking this in his stride,althouh he did say he was disappointed with the news. The consutant said that the cancer would be managed and controlled with drugs, however at first a histology report would be needed from a biopsy. So this is the next stage and will have to see what happens.  I am so upset and was hoping that the cancer was contained just to the bones, but lung and spine is horrendous. I know it isnt going to be easy, however I will have to be strong for Mike and we both have to be positive. 

Hi Maud! I'm so sorry about the bad news. But I'm sure there is still hope. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer about a month ago. Luckily it was spread only locally. We decided to use our savings and go to a private cancer center and they told us all about the great advances in prostate cancer treatment and about the options to treat it as a chronic disease even if it would spread. Of course I can't comment on your husband's case but I think it's always worth it to ask for a second opinion. I don't think I can name the hospital here but it's in Helsinki, Finland.

Hello Delhi and thank you for updating us.

I'm sorry to hear this about your husband. It can be such a shock and take time to process this sort of news. I'm sure you will also get good support on the forum here too.

Do take care of yourself, caring for a loved one going through something like this and trying to be positive all the time can be draining. Here is a link to some information about looking after yourself.

If you want to call us to talk things through on the helpline then do on freephone 0808 800 4040, 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Sarah.