Cancer Research UK main site

My dad

Suzilee1969
Offline

My dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and secondary bone cancer..he is a very active 70 yr old still works part time and doesnt look or act ill...he has just had an appointment with oncologist who has said he needs chemo which starts in two weeks...my mum and dad havent asked any questions about what happens and i have so many questions but no one to ask can anyone help?

  • Offline

    Sure, I can help. I am sure your father is scared and needs his family at this time. Spend as much time as possible with him because it will make him feel less afraid. I can't imagine what he is feeling as it is a really scary illness. I am thinking about him and praying he gets well. I am wishing for the best possible outcome for all involved. I am here if you need questions or if you want to talk. All the best xoxo.

  • Offline in reply to Swanson66

    Hi and thank you...i dont think he is that scared to be fair..his attitude is amazing he just says he will be ok its my mum that worries me more as she trying to be strong for him but i can tell she is scared! I just wondered what happens next? He has his first chemo in two weeks then 3 weeks after that..how long do ppl have chemo for? And i wish i knew what the pronosis is...the oncologist said its not curable but treatable and terminal wasnt mentioned is that good?

  • Offline in reply to Suzilee1969
    Hi I have advanced PC and secondary bone desease, I have just finished Radiotherpy, in my case first, you are given either hormone tablets or injection, this lasts for a month or three months before the next one. ( injections that is ). then the chemotherapy which can be six sessions every three weeks, now I do not know if your dad will have radiotherapy but I mine was twenty sessions over four weeks. The chemotherapy is an eye opener for most people, it does not kick in for a few days then the side affects start, he may not have all of them but in my case fatigue, tiredness, loss of taste,loss of hair, your joints and bones ache, very hard to sleep, diahorrea, hot flushes, sometimes shortness of breath, sore like scratchy eyes, at the end of the chemo brittle nails. Your dad when he is on chemotherapy has to take his Tempreture at least twice a day, he will be told this, it's important as his red blood cells will drop leaving him easy to catch flu, coughs, anything, I say this as I caught neptrippena with a bit of a virus and was hospitalised for three days, so he needs to avoid crowds, sounds a bit OTT, but I ve read many people who have been in hospital because of this. Your dad ( although he may not say it ) will need a bit of help while on chemotherapy the first two sessions are the worst then you kind of get used to it. Hope I did not scare you, every one is different your dad might experience none of my symptoms or have different ones, We all try not to put on our love ones, but it's nice to know their there for us, not all the time as some times we just need some space, Hope he gets through it ok best of luck to your dad, tell him to be positive.
  • Offline in reply to joeven
    Hi thank you for giving me an idea of what is going to happen..im guessing the low immune system is why they have been told to cancel holiday they had booked in July? Do you mind if i ask how you are doing? My Dad wants everything to just carry on as normal but i think that is easier said than done!
  • Offline in reply to Suzilee1969

    Hi

    Yes the chemotherapy lowers the immune system that's why he needs to stay away from crowds or any one who is not well. Going on holiday I cannot comment on although he needs to stay out of strong sunlight, because of of the low blood count.

    I was diagnosed July last year, I had a PSA 893, a Gleason score of 9 and classed stage T4 I was offered a choice of two trials and choose one called Stampede, it involves Prostap 3 hormone injections every three months for life, doxcetaxel chemotherapy six sessions every three weeks, finally twenty sessions of radiotherapy in four weeks.

    My quality of life has not been the best as I had a fair few side effects, still a few weeks to go before I know how things have turned out, I have secondary bone metastistic in my left shoulder, lower left ribs and lower right side back, plus other niggles like hot flushes the odd headache,plus bone pain through the hormone injections which keep the PSA low.

    With luck your dad will not have all what I had but only your dad will know this, he just needs to check his Tempreture a couple of times a day but the nurses will tell him all this.

    Any other info just ask do my best to reply.

    Take care best of luck to you all.

     

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.