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

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.

Ooh maud so so sorry about your husbands results, remember he's upset but carrying on you can do the same. Remember there is still treatment to help, and being determined and positive helps as i know remember. 

If you touch my avatar it should give you more details about me. 

Take care. 

Billy 

Tank you Billy Ihave read your experience and it has given me so much hope for my husband. He is having a biopsy on Thursay and is not looking forwrd to it at all especially as its on his 80th birthday!. Otherwise he is ok, no pain at all, eating and doing lots of active stuff like washing his car, gardening etc.The consultant was surpsrised that Mike did'nt feel pain in his lower back as the cancer has spread to his spine.  I am assuming that the biopsy will determine what treatment he will be on.  We were also toldby the concultant not to make any arrangements fosr holidays this year which did concern us.

Anyway I am determined to stay positive as Mike is as well. Hope  you and your wife are doing ok.

Im only guessing but it is possible your husband could be having treatment, so not feeling well enough for a holiday remember some treatments mess immune system up so travelling isn't good idea. 

Billy 

Hi Naomi, my husband will have his biopsy on Thursday. I was told that the MDT then look at the results to decide treatment plans etc. Mike will be 80 years old on Thursday, will his age go against him for treatment options. While the cancer has spread to his lungs, spine and lymph nodes, his consultant told him that it was definitely treatable and manageable, hence the biopsy. I have said before that Mike until now has never been in hospital, very active - plays tennis 3 times a week and badminton once a week. Currently he is not at all in pain, played badminton on Thursday, is going to play tennis on Wednesday and badminton on Thursday before he goes in for his biopsy at 3.30pm.

I hope all of this is taken into account when his treatment options are considered and that there arent any issues with his age!.

Also what does the biopsy demonstrate in terms of what stage the cancer is. We  already know that it is advanced.

Thank you and I look forward to your comments

Hi Naomi, my husband will have his biopsy on Thursday. I was told that the MDT then look at the results to decide treatment plans etc. Mike will be 80 years old on Thursday, will his age go against him for treatment options. While the cancer has spread to his lungs, spine and lymph nodes, his consultant told him that it was definitely treatable and manageable, hence the biopsy. I have said before that Mike until now has never been in hospital, very active - plays tennis 3 times a week and badminton once a week. Currently he is not at all in pain, played badminton on Thursday, is going to play tennis on Wednesday and badminton on Thursday before he goes in for his biopsy at 3.30pm.

I hope all of this is taken into account when his treatment options are considered and that there arent any issues with his age!.

Also what does the biopsy demonstrate in terms of what stage the cancer is. We  already know that it is advanced.

Thank you and I look forward to your comments