Can I ask for a hand hold please? Dad starting radiotherapy for prostate cancer next week

[mechanicalpencil]

I think the world of my Dad. He has always been there for me.

He was diagnosed in April with Gleason 3+4.
PSA 6.1.

He has been having hormone therapy for the past 4 months and due to start radiotherapy on Wednesday for 20 consecutive days apart from weekends.

I am at a loss with it all to be honest. My research shows there are lots of positives to focus on but in all honesty I am absolutely terrified.

I was wondering what to expect in terms of the radiotherapy. How will he feel after each day and what to expect? He lives alone. I live 5 hours away.

If anyone has any experiences/advice to share I would be really grateful.

Or just to come and hold my hand for a while.

Thanks for reading.

I don't have any experience of radiotherapy but I remember how nerve wracking it was when my late (I hate that word) DH started chemo for his cancer (not prostrate), the team looked after him really well and he was always armed with a number to call in case of any problems/questions. I hope your dad does well. Holding your hand from afar.

@Ratfinkstinkypink
I am very sorry for your loss.

Thank you for the hand hold.

Hi @mechanicalpencil

We're going through similar but a number of weeks ahead. The radiotherapy luckily doesn't come with too many side effects. My dad was ok other than extreme tiredness. It makes you absolutely shattered during and for a few weeks after. In positive news. It had a strong affect and they were pleased with the outcome when he next had his scan. Fingers crossed for your dad. xx

My dad had this two years ago and also had the hormone and radiotherapy treatment.
The side effects weren’t too extreme although it did definitely make him need the loo more frequently so his sleep was quite disturbed so added to the tiredness.
He has been well since.
Hope it goes well.

Best wishes for your dad and for you.

Dp was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago and had the same Gleason score. He has had brachytherapy which is a form of radiotherapy but it's not quite the same. He has had a bit of trouble with urinating but medication has helped. He has been really tired, but eight months into treatment that's pretty much over, and there weren't many things he couldn't do, he just left earlier than he otherwise would have done.

Treatment for prostate cancer has improved a LOT in recent years and I would think that your dadhas excellent prospects of a cure. Do look at the Macmillan or Prostate UK websites.

My DH was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and decided to go the surgical route.

I’ve talked to loads of people whose loved one has gone through this and the outcomes are extremely encouraging. Life expectancy of 10+ years is something I’ve heard a lot (one dude lived to be 103, 30 years post diagnosis).

what I’ve heard about the radiation is fatigue is a big factor and also, as mentioned bathroom issues, both urinary and bowel.

Here’s hoping your dad weathers the treatment well and has a full recovery.

My dad was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in Oct 2020. He has radiotherapy in the January. He actually had very little side effects and was relatively well in himself.

@Rainbowdust557 sorry to hear you're Dad is going through the same but great news that the radiotherapy has had a good outcome for him!
Thanks for the heads up about the extreme tiredness. I am trying to anticipate what he might need in advance in order to make things as easy as possible for him so that is really useful to know.

@fiorentina Yes, he is finding that a real problem at night, having to wake up 4 or 5 times to go to the toilet. Great news to hear your Dad is well now. Can I ask if the nightly urges to go to the toilet eased for your Dad?

I think they did to some extent. Nowhere near as bad. But he does still get up I think once at night. I think the hormones give him some hot flushes which don’t help.
Hope your dad is soon over the worst.

Maggies the cancer charity might be of help for you as well as your Dad. They can talk through absolutely everything that might be on your mind and give good practical advice too.

@PermanentTemporary thanks for your advice, I do hope your DP is doing much better now.
I have found Prostate UK website to be excellent so far , really informative and user friendly. There seem to be all sorts of support groups that I want to look further into tomorrow, it would be great for Dad to chat to others in the same boat as he has been feeling really isolated.
I will check out Macmillan too so thanks for the tip.

@Lizzieregina thank you for the encouraging message. It's always great to read positive statistics as I am finding it all so overwhelming.
I hope your DH is doing well after the surgery.

@LoudSnoringDog that's really great to hear your Dad had few side effects.
I hope he is doing well !

@fiorentina that is really reassuring, as the whole being woken up every night just further compounds his fatigue, so I will mention that to him.
Hot flushes don't sound fun although I am not too far off those myself so perhaps we can compare notes 😂

@LarryStylinson thank you, I have written it on my to-do list for tomorrow and will give them a call.

I can empathise with my dad on the hot flushes at night.

Ah one more that might be useful to know - paroxetine and another anti depressant can be prescribed in a very low dose for night sweats and night hot flushes. I'm on it post womb cancer and it's effective and I know it was mentioned for prostate cancer patients too when I was reading about it before starting too.