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DH prostate cancer diagnosis

(25 Posts)
Foxglove77 Fri 22-May-26 16:55:25

My DH has quite a few health problems but he is described by medics as stoic. He recovered from a stroke, has metal support in his spine, and just had a total knee replacement. During this time he has kept working as he can. Now diabetic, a PSA blood test shows he has aggressive prostate cancer that cannot be operated on. He is 68. We hoped our retirement would allow us to enjoy our granddaughter, relax and maybe travel.
His treatment plan is hormone therapy and radiotherapy. Has anyone else's partner gone through this. We have been knocked for six.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 22-May-26 16:59:04

I am so sorry to read this and wish you both well both in treatment and hopefully recession.

crazyH Fri 22-May-26 17:07:51

So sorry to hear this. All the best with the treatment 🍀

Kate1949 Fri 22-May-26 17:09:16

My DH was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. It was a shock. He had various scans, tests and a biopsy. He underwent hormone injections and 37 consecutive days of radiotherapy. He was 66
He is 12 years in remission now. Good luck to you both.

SueDonim Fri 22-May-26 17:13:18

I’m sorry to read this. flowers Iit does knock you sideways to receive such news. If you’d like a positive tale, a friend who’s dh, in his 50’s, was diagnosed out of the blue with the same condition has had hormone and chemo treatment and is doing very well - normal life apart from check ups has resumed for them. I hope it’s the same for you, too.

Cossy Fri 22-May-26 17:15:10

I’m so very sorry to hear this.

I wish you both the very best thanks

Retread Fri 22-May-26 17:20:14

Hi Foxglove you are not alone, take heart.

My DH was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 at 70 years of age, 3 years down the line having completed hormone therapy, followed by radiation (no surgery), he is fine.

Mollygo Fri 22-May-26 17:23:42

So sorry to hear this. Sending best wishes to you both and hope all goes well.

Foxglove77 Fri 22-May-26 17:29:45

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes. It's good to know people have been treated successfully, it gives me hope smile

PamelaJ1 Fri 22-May-26 17:31:23

How awful for you both, so sorry.
My son in law had his prostate a couple of months ago but, luckily, the cancer hadn’t spread so now he is recovering.
I hope that your story ends as well as the others on this thread.

Luckygirl3 Fri 22-May-26 17:50:58

I am sorry you have this to deal with. It is good to hear the positive outcomes for previous posters.

4allweknow Fri 22-May-26 17:58:52

Husband had prostatectomy followed by radiotherapy. 14 years all clear with regular hormone therapy. Recurrence, radiotherapy, chemotherapy sadly died 2 years
later. Do hope treatment has a lasting effect.

Septimia Fri 22-May-26 18:28:12

My DH was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer last August. He was given a hormone injection right away and before long was started on hormone tablets - a belt and braces approach. The treatment soon started to reduce his PSA which was 1350 at diagnosis. Recently he had some radiotherapy to reduce the tumour. It's a case of management, not "cure".

The hormones cause some menopause type symptoms so he has to take medication to prevent osteoporosis. He was already on heart medication so now has to have a spreadsheet to keep track of which tablets to take and ensure that he doesn't miss any!

He sees the oncologist in a couple of weeks. However, recently he saw the urologist who diagnosed the cancer. The urologist said that he could not advise any additional treatment at the moment as DH is doing well. The urologist finished by saying that he'd see him in 6 months. We take it that he expects DH to still be with us in 6 months!

We try to take things a day at a time and make the most of it, trying to include plenty of laughs and doing things we want to do rather than have to do. We've booked some holiday time away, although we're prepared to change our plans if necessary.

Good luck to your DH Foxglove. I hope he can accept and tolerate the treatment so that you can both enjoy life.

Pigma Fri 22-May-26 18:48:57

My brother was diagnosed two years ago, his reading almost off the scale. He has since had radiotherapy and is on hormone treatment. His numbers are now way down, the only downside being he gets hot flushes and he can be a bit prickly and can get a bit het up with himself. His reading went down immediately after radiotherapy.
His consultant was very much ‘if this doesn’t work there’s plenty else we can do’ so please have courage and stay positive. It sounds awful when you first hear but take heart from what people here are saying. My brother is extremely fit and active, if anything it was a wake up call to live and enjoy every day to the full.
With all best wishes to you both.

joannapiano Fri 22-May-26 18:59:51

DH was diagnosed with Stage4 prostate cancer 6 years ago. He had chemo and radiotherapy during Covid lockdown and is currently on a different drug regime as his PSA has gone up a tiny bit. He gets tired,but we take things day by day and we try to stay strong. His Oncologist always says “Stay active”, which we try to do. She says there are plenty of other medication options if his levels do climb up a bit.

luluaugust Fri 22-May-26 19:22:14

So sorry to read your news. My cousin was diagnosed years ago, treated and still travels a lot. I hope the positive stories are a little help

butterandjam Fri 22-May-26 19:26:40

My husband (79) was diagnosed 8 years ago , now in full remission.

He had gold beads inserted for targetted radiotherapy ( 5 times a week for 6 weeks, painless but he felt very tired by the end of it) then three years of hormone treatment; side effects very similar to the menopause in women. Hot sweats, poor sleep, emotional. He found that sage, evening primrose oil and homeopathy all helped ( from GP).

MacMillan cancer charity have excellent online resources , telephone support, and online forums for patients. DH got a lot from all those and still keeps in touch with the forums to encourage others. We also both went to our local Maggies Centre for their resources, relaxation classes etc. Macmillan will also help/advise family members and I really recommend you to do this.

DH was fit to start with but since PC he has taken extra care of his health; watches his weight, zero alcohol, manages his water intake as he has some residual bladder capacity effects from radiotherapy (needs to pee more often) stays very active and takes a lot of excercise. He and the dog walk at least 5 miles briskly every single day whatever weather. We eat a healthy diet .

DH's father died of prostate cancer and because of that, our gp did routine annual prostate testingof DH and that's how his PC was diagnosed. It was quite advanced (Gleeson 8) but he had no symptoms at all.

our middle aged sons are getting PSA tested every 2 years because of the hereditary risk.

Curlywhirly Fri 22-May-26 20:08:35

My DH was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year (he was 69) had 20 radiotherapy sessions and is now on hormone tablets for 2 years. His PSA level was 43 (it should be 4 or under) and after his treatment it was down to 0.01. As already mentioned, the hormone tablets have similar side effects as the female menopause - sore nipples, broken sleep, hot flushes and short-tempered! But, he's lucky that he hasn't had any serious effects from the radiotherapy, and sailed through the treatment. However, after a lifetime of not eating any desserts, chocolate or sweet things (he much preferred savoury things) he's developed a sweet tooth, just like us ladies when we went through the menopause! Those hormones have a lot to answer for 🙄. Seriously though, the prognosis for prostate cancer is very positive, a large proportion of men can, with the right treatment, survive for many years after diagnosis.

Usedtobeblonde Fri 22-May-26 22:20:32

A very close friend of ours was diagnosed at age 61.
He had brachytherapy, conventional radiotherapy and is now on hormone therapy, he is coming up to 18 months since diagnosis and seems to be doing ok.
His family, not so well, they are concerned about when the treatment stops.
He has been told he should make a full recovery.
I wish your DH and you well.

MT62 Fri 22-May-26 23:38:49

Sorry to hear that Foxglove77.
I spoke to a lovely lady on holiday in passing, just saying how nice hotel was, etc. she then said husband who was ‘fit as a fiddle’ went for a man check, his diagnosis was aggressive prostate cancer. Anyway he said what the hell, we are going on holiday.
Makes you stop & think.
My own hubby has never had a man check at 64 & neither had that ladies husband.

spottybook Sat 23-May-26 07:10:20

Sorry to hear your news. DH was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 4 back in October. The consultant told him it is treatable but not curable. He is on hormone injections, Daralutamide and five weeks ago finished radiotherapy. His PSA is now undetectable. It is such a shock at first but you learn to live with it. So much so we are off to Italy this morning for a six day break. I have found the MacMillan prostate cancer forum a comfort knowing you are not alone.

hoomee29 Sat 23-May-26 07:35:18

My husband also has been through the treatment as have several friends, all in their seventies. The hormone and radiation treatment seems pretty routine nowadays and they are all doing well. A friends brother had a really high PSA count, treated successfully a few years ago. The cancer spread to his bones which used to be curtains, but he is still going strong with ongoing treatment.
It is a shock, but treatment now is amazingly effective, so I think you will enjoy his retirement for a few years to come! All best wishes to you.

TillyTrotter Sat 23-May-26 07:57:30

Foxglove I have PM’ed you .

Erica23 Sat 23-May-26 14:12:01

My DH had a scare last year, all’s well at the moment 🤞 but he’s having regular prostate tests. It’s on our minds a lot.
We know lots of men with the same problem, and they’re all still here thank goodness.
I watch a couple on You Tube it’s called “life is too short “ the lady has breast cancer the man prostate cancer, they holiday in their camper van, both doing well. They are an inspiration
The very best of luck to your DH

Sueinkent Sat 23-May-26 16:48:54

So sorry to hear this. But it is very curable nowadays so chin up.