My partner of 18 years just been told he has cancer

My partner was given his MRI results on Tuesday by our GP and she said he has cancer in his prostate, bones and other areas. They have said it look metastatic and malignant tumors in his prostate. This has all come on very suddenly since May when he started having issues going to the toilet and very bad back ache. This all sounds like advanced prostate cancer and I'm very scared of what this means. We have a 4 year old daughter and he is only 47. We have a telephone call on Monday with urology to discuss the results and the next steps. Does anyone know what sort of questions should we should ask? My brain is a whirlwind but I want to be prepared to ask questions. Obviously the one question I really want to ask, they won't be able to answer. 

  • Hi Orvy, and a warm welcome to the forum, though so sorry you have to be here, I fully understand what a frightening and worrying time this is for you, It's what we all feel at this stage, the tests, waiting for results and treatment to start is the hardest time. Urology will be talking about the tests you will need to give a full diagnosis, usually a CT scan, bone scan and biopsy. They should also be starting your treatment, hormone therapy HT, bicalutamide tablets followed by HT injections 2 to 4 weeks after, so ask them when the tests are to be done "if it's possible tell them if someone else cancels you can fill in", should they not start your HT ask them why, ask when you will be seeing your oncologist and who your CNS cancer nurse specialist is and a contact number. Orvy, I have advanced prostate cancer, over 2 years now it's metastasized to 9 places and life is ok, I am still on treatment plan A, with B C and D to follow and options after that, Regarding THE question, I have been given a time 3 times and they were all different, so now, like most people i don't give a prognosis any notice. my best wishes for Monday, take care.

    Eddie

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Thank you for the reply and the warm welcome.  That's all very helpful and will definitely ask those questions on Monday and that gives us a bit of an idea of what steps they might take next. It's so scary that symptoms didn't start until April and now we have been told its cancer and looks mestatic which I believe they cannot cure, just manage and shrink it. Thank you for the best wishes and I'm sorry you're also going through this

  • Offline in reply to Orvy

    Hi Onvy, you are very welcome, they say treatable now not terminal and treatable for many years,  Onvy there are many treatments available now that were not around  just a couple of years ago, and as a result your hospital may not do them, though if you ask your hospital must refer you to one that does.

    Eddie

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    That's reassuring, hopefully they can treat him for many years and he can live a relatively normal life. It's a shock and worrying, especially having a 4 year old just about to start school. Hopefully Monday bring us some more hope. 

  • Offline in reply to Orvy

    I hope so too,  Onvy, I'm over 2 years since diagnosis and life is good , hopefully with a few years yet, this is despite having many other significant, life shortening conditions and unable to have chemotherapy or surgery and almost 60yo, best wishes to you both. 

    Eddie xx 

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Thank you Eddie, you have really given me some hope. Wishing you all the best too