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Stage 4 Prostate cancer

Lori1958
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Hi my husband was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer that has metastized to the bones. He had no previous symptoms and has been healthy his whole life. This past year he had a bad backand was misdiagnosed for a year with an SI joint problem. Once he demanded an MRI, they sent him for a bone scan and found cancer. We are going for biopsy results tomorrow but was told its Stage 4 and he may have 4 years to live. We figure he has had it untreated for at least a year. I am absolutely devastated and still trying to come to terms with this. I find I can be strong when I am with him but I am a total mess when I am not with him. I have anxiety and am depressed which I am taking meds for but I have never felt so alone in my life. I am so scared for him and what he will have to go through in his remaining time left. Just thought joining this group might give me a place where I can talk about my feelings and get some support. Its been a horrible ride so far and its oly going to get worse. We are going to hear the results of the biopsy tomorrow but we know it won't be good. I am just praying they don't tell him he has less than four years...

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    Hi Lori,

    Welcome to this friendly forum allthough I am sorry for the reason you have joined.. Cancer can be a lonely place for its not everyone who can talk openly and honestly to the patient about their worries and fears. Thats why this site works well for you can talk to people you will never meet in a way thats not always possible with family and friends.

    I am someone who had prostate cancer but through my dear wife making me go to the doctors it was found early. Like your husband I have always been fit and healty and had no symptoms. The only thing was when I retired, When helping my wife with the washing up, as soon as I heard water running into the metal sink I had to run to the loo. I didnt conect this with cancer but my wife after six to nine months had passed, made me see my gp.

    I had two years on hormone therapy and 37 radiotherapy sessions and I have made a good recovery. My psa was 70 when diagnosed and came down to 0.01 after treatment had ended. Its climbing slowly just like my oncologist said it would but four years on its still only 0.91.

    Anytime you need to talk, please post on here for there are a great bunch of people on here. I have been a member for over four years and regard a lot of peole on here almost as family. Hopeing the results are better than you fear. Take care, sending kind thoughts and best wishes to you and your husband, Brian.

  • Offline in reply to woodworm

    Thank you Woodworm! It is such an emotional roller coaster ride! And we have been getting such mixed medical opinions on the plan of care but on a positive note we got some of our questions answered today - even with a Gleeson score of 9 they are saying he is a good candidate for 4 years survival and his PSA dropped from 306.6 to 8.6 in four weeks on Firmagon. So fingers crossed he continues to respond to the hormone treatment as long as possible. He has had one dose of radiation and that is all that was prescribed and then they are recommending six chemo sessions to treat it very aggressively. We are going for a second opinion on the treatment plan on Monday so at least we have some good information and questions to ask. 

  • Offline in reply to woodworm
    hi my husband been diagnosed with prostrate his Gleeson 4.5=9 and psa102 had biopsies 10 taken 6 positive for cancer, obviously very worried (he is diabetic 2 a and has AF has to take Meterforin and warfarin) not sure is spelt correct he has now to go for gamma scan to see if its gone in the bones , what are the outlook anyone help , I'm not sure what I should do
  • Offline in reply to Lori1958

    so pleased for you looks as if we have similar conditions

     

  • Offline in reply to turner40
    Hi Turner40, one day is up, one day is down. If it has mestatized to the bones then there is no cure only treatment to extend life and control the pain BUT the treatment can give many years of life and there are new advances in treatment every day. We had a second consultation with an oncologist at Princess Margaret (one of Canada's leading cancer hospitals) and he said they are working toward prostate cancer becoming a controllable disease like diabetes which would be good since most men will get prostate cancer at some point in their life. The treatment plan they have confirmed for my husband is hormone therapy, bicaludimide and chemo upfront because they say that gives the best chance for longest life and quality of life. So we are just waiting to hear for a date for chemo. It is scary and very upsetting, try to take it one day at a time and not worry too far down the road. Just make sure you have a good treatment team and they are on your side and explain everything to you.
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    so sorry , we need this forum to be able to talk and try and comfort each other , I find my husband is very quiet and not sure what he is thinking , he isnt one for sharing but think in a time like this we need to comfort each other

     

  • Offline in reply to turner40
    Yes, talking is very important both for the caregiver and the one who has cancer but he may talk in his own time. All you can do is be there for him when he does want to open up. I accepted your friend request so feel free to send me a pm anytime.

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