Hi, my dad,age 74, has just been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. At diagnosis it has already metastasised throughout his thoracic and lumbar spine and hip bones. It came as complete shock as he went for a private mri of his lumbar spine for sciatica back pain after being told it was degenerative change. He has mild prostate symptoms, previous heart attack and type 2 diabetes but currently looks well. The oncologist is being super positive just now but I cannot help reading the stats about survival for this stage of cancer and thinking our time is limited. He is starting hormone and radiotherapy treatment this week without any further scans to look for extent of spread and no plan to biopsy. Is this normal? Does anyone have any experience of realistically worst case scenario how long he is likely to have left? I know you probably can't answer this. I feel so angry as already had 5 months of not being able to see him much due to lockdown and he is shielding. I also know covid has played a part in diagnostic delay. I'm not sure whether I should now put covid risk to one side so I can hug and touch him. I have a very stressful job that involves working weekends, nights and public holidays balanced against being parent to 2 young kids. Trying to decide whether I need to change my job or take a career break. I'm wondering if anyone else been in similar position and has advice of how to cope with this uncertainty and making future plans when you have no idea how long you have. Thank you.
