Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

[MummyBear2021]

Hi all, sorry in advance for the long post.l but I'm feeling quite down.

My dad has sadly been diagnosed with prostate cancer recently. Fortunately, it has been caught early and his prognosis is very good.

He has decided that the best treatment for him is brachytherapy which uses internal radiation. I respect his decision but am currently pregnant with my first child and have seen that it is advised to keep at a distance from him for 2-3 months. This is going to be difficult as my husband and I are currently temporarily living with my parents.

We have always been a close family and spend lots of time together and both my parents are excited for their first granddaughter to be born in a couple of months. Ultimately though, I want to keep my baby as safe as possible.

We've come across different advice with some things saying it's ok for him to be in the same room but at a (not specified) distance and other things saying he can hug and hold babies and small children for a short time but not sit them on his lap for prolonged periods.

I think it would be best for my husband and I to move out sooner rather than later in order to avoid any risk and also being awkward by letting everyone else cuddle our newborn apart from my dad. Am I being ridiculous and too over-cautious for thinking this?

Does anyone have any advice or personal experience of being in a similar situation?

Thank you

Hi, I have been in your position. My DF had this therapy during my pregnancy with DC2, DC1 was 3 at the time. Same advice with distance and lap sitting. It was fine though, we made a joke of it sometimes and if we went for meals etc we just sat at opposite ends of the table. DC1 couldn't sit on his lap for ages but probably wouldn't have done that anyway... she did short hugs and they were fine. Best wishes to your father x

Obviously you have the added complication of living together which may be difficult.... we only met up every few weeks and it was more than manageable.

DH had this treatment some years ago. The advice we were given was for small children not to sit on his lap and for pregnant women to keep at a short distance for a set period of time. I do think you sound overly cautious tbh. is it possible for you to get advice from his consultant? Moving out seems quite extreme.

@TankFlyBoss thank you for your reply. It's good to know that you could make the situation lighthearted and with minimal disruption. I hope your dad recovered well x

@KittytheHare thank you for your reply and I hope you DH recovered well. I guess I am overthinking things with FTM nerves! We spoke to his oncology nurse who just gave the generic advice you find in the information pack he was given.