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Husband diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer 3 months ago. His memory has started to change and he's forgetting things. Has this happened to anyone else?

FionaJJ
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My partner was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer 3 months ago (he has been living with the disease for over 12 years). Suddenly he has started to say weird things like this morning (Monday) he asked me if he went to work yesterday to collect the documents - he even mentioned the name of a company that he used to work for (he has been retired for 9 years but he is 12 years older than me and so, I'm still working). He also thinks that he has done something when he absolutely hasn't like he was adamant that he had fed our cats but, he had not.

I just don't know what to do or where or who to turn to. I can't stay at home to look after him as I work full time and the only earner in the household. 

Has anyone else encountered anything like this before ?.

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat FionaJJ, although I'm very sorry to hear your husband's prostate cancer has progressed to stage 4 and about the recent changes in his memory. This must be very distressing.

    If you haven't done so already, it would be worth making his GP and/or medical team aware of these changes as they will be best placed to advise on why this is happening and how you can best look after your husband.

    I hope some of these tips to help with changes to thinking and memory will be useful but if you would like to talk any of this through with one of our cancer nurses, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They will do all they can to answer your questions and will be able to tell you more about the different types of support that are available at home to you and your husband. 

    Hopefully some of our members will share their experiences and advice with you soon but in the meantime, we're thinking of you FionaJJ and sending our support your way.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi FionaJJ,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your husband's prostate cancer diagnosis and his cognitive changes. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to see a change like this following certain cancer treatments and it can manifest itself long after treatment finishes. These effects can last for a short time or they may continue. I agree with our lovely moderator, Steph. Contact your GP and his care team and mention these changes to both of them.

    Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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