Prostate cancer

[Youknowaboutthepaint]

I know no one can really tell me, but can anyone tell me what should be expected at this stage?

My Dad is 79 and until 6 months ago was very fit and active. Long walks, digging the garden, never really stopped.

Then he started feeling unwell and had some stomach problems. The stomach turned out to be easily fixable, but they found prostate cancer during the investigations. Apparently quite advanced and spread outside the prostate itself. They were concerned at one point that it had gone to the bones but it hasn't.

Scan revealed some "tiny" nodules on the lungs which are not being treated as concerning, but are being monitored. He had a further chest scan about 3 weeks ago, but has heard nothing yet.

He's been treated with hormone injections which are giving him hot flushes. He's making a lot of fuss about that - menopausal me has limited sympathy

He has 5 weeks of radio therapy which ended 6 weeks ago. PSA is now down to 0.1 which is excellent news.

He is very tired and breathless still, can't walk more than a few hundred yards, needs a nap in the afternoon and he was always so fit. Doctor has told him that's the body recovering from the radio therapy, but there's the lung thing at the back of my mind.

So how long does it take to feel fully well after radio therapy, assuming it's done what it should and there are no other issues?

Great that the psa has reduced and that there wasn't any spread to the bones. Radiotherapy can take a few weeks to recover fully from.

Prostate Cancer UK have lots of info on their website and they also have a nurse helpline. They are really well informed on all the treatment options and side effects.

Ps. Check with the medical team but sage tea can potentially help with the hot flushes

DH had three months of radiotherapy.

He was advised to not look for full recovery until a year was up, so he might be pleasantly surprised.

Hope all your surprises are good ones.

My Dad recovered well from prostate cancer, but struggled with the "menopause" symptoms from the hormone treatment. I completely understand how that feels when you're menopausal yourself, but it genuinely was crippling and embarrassing for him. He never wanted to admit it, but sensitivity on our part didn't go amiss.

Best of luck to your Dad - there are some incredible treatments now and it's still a very survivable cancer,

I should also have said that despite recovering incredibly well after brachiotherapy, he was very tired for a good while after.

I would say exhaustion from the radiotherapy is very plausible. Also don’t underestimate the mental toll of all this will be exhausting too. I wonder if the hormone treatment could also be adding to it.
That PSA is really brilliant so that is great news. Also great that bones are clear.

I am sure after some good rest and recuperation your Dad will get his energy back.

If your Dad is not very mobile I would look at some exercises to prevent DVT. My Dad was sofa bound initially after his diagnosis and developed a DVT behind his knee. I think prostate cancer increases your risk.

All the best to your Dad, and you. I know it’s such a worry.