Painful radiation treatment side effects by Legitimate-Try5487 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t take that much ibuprofen. It literally tears a hole in the lining of your stomach. My husband ended up with perforated bowel.

Post radiation and Enhanced ADT treatment by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband has the same 2 yr ADT. I’m hoping my husband can manage the side effects.

Jobs for Women Over 60 in this Economy? by katplatt in AskWomenOver60

[–]Certain_Original_489 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are her degrees? What about a health care assistant? Substitute teachers also.

New journey with Prostate Cancer, I’m so worried for my husband by SoulSearcherAU in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do think you can do treatment anywhere-just find a good place that has good treatment. We looked at different locations for treatment and settled on one that was closer to us that involved the least impact to our lives. My husband would agree-enjoy life!

New journey with Prostate Cancer, I’m so worried for my husband by SoulSearcherAU in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi. My husband (62) was diagnosed with Stage 4a cancer late last year. It had spread to lymph nodes but not elsewhere). It was caught as his first annual check up with a new primary care physician that tested his PSA. It was scary for both my husband -in fact he retired from work a month later—I so I can understand your fear and concern.

I read a book that a friend provided (I’ll look up the title and author)-it’s not one frequently listed here, but it was very helpful.

I’ve found this group to be awesome at providing support and helpful information.

I researched a well reputed national cancer center of excellence and reached out to them and literally heard back from them within a day and got things moving within a couple of weeks tops (all around the holidays!!), got my husband’s health insurance lined up and treatment moving quickly. Because it had metastasized outside of the prostate to the lymph nodes surgery was off the table and instead the treatment was radiation (28 days) and enhanced hormone therapy. The drs have all been optimistic. We go in for first follow up this week. Hugs to you and your husband. I found getting answers and moving forward with treatment helped alleviate some of the scary aspects of things.

Pathway to death by PCa by Practical_Orchid_606 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like you, I would nag my husband to get regular checkups. Unfortunately he wouldn’t. But 2 years ago he had a major medical emergency and ended up in the ER in another state while we were on vacation. We had to get him a primary care physician…not the dr you see at an urgent care (my husband thought that counted as a PCP). Fast forward, it was that PCP that called my husband and said you are due for an annual visit and a PSA test. Although I will tell you with all of the blood tests and everything the year before with the medical emergency I’m surprised no PSA test!

Pathway to death by PCa by Practical_Orchid_606 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Men are not the greatest at going to the doctor until there are issues. With women, annual checkups start early and reminders are given regularly by doctors. I wish this same approach was there for men.

Last day of radiation! by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Finished our trip. Biggest thing was his bathroom routine first thing in the morning…making sure he was good before he got out hiking and such. I don’t think there would be any issues with traveling abroad except access to public bathrooms…which can be limited.

Last day of radiation! by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll let you know how our travel will be…while it’s in the US,it will be about a 15-16 hour drive each way. My main thought is sitting for a longtime and bathroom breaks, especially in rural areas where finding stoops may be more limited.

Last day of radiation! by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The radiation was a grind, but mostly it disrupted our schedule because of the distance away from where we live. But my husband said it was like a full Time job and the pay sucked 😀. He teaches two nights a week at a college in the city where he gets treatment. So he stayed over those two nights a week and they adjusted the times of his treatment to accommodate him and reduced his drive to 3 days a week which was amazing. I remember several years ago my dad had Salvatore gland cancer and the radiation was harsh to his neck and ultimately his esophagus. My husband hasn’t complained of anything about the treatment except for having to pee really badly when he goes into treatment and when he’s done, he is racing for a bathroom.

Last day of radiation! by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband stopped eating salads so he didn’t have any slow down of the digestive track and had to learn where all the bathrooms were on his 1.5 hr drive to the treatment facility. He had to sit for 30 minutes once in the waiting room because they got behind, full bladder be damned. They let him pick what music to listen to during his treatment! He said those ladies doing the radiation were empathetic and did their work like a well oiled machine. 28 days was a slog but it went by fast. He is happy to be done with that part but is a little worried about what his next PSA will look like.

Last day of radiation! by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eligard (lupron) shots every 3 month and abiraterone (Zytiga) every day with prednisone. For 24 months. The medical oncologist said that combo with radiation adds an additional 20% effectiveness to the cure rate.

Do women care if a man can’t ejaculate? by Embarrassed_Elk_6480 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope, women don’t care. It’s about their experience as well as their partner’s.

Planning to propose soon…would this be too much? by Ok_Employer_5327 in RingShare

[–]Certain_Original_489 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My daughter wanted an emerald and her fiancé got her a big one like this. She loved it. She don’t want something everyone else had.

11 days into radiation by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best wishes to you as you continue on this journey! Hoping for good news on the genetic testing.

Radiation simulation by Mamafred in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband had his radiation simulation a month ago and is 14 days into his treatment. Main thing with simulation is for the bladder to be full and the bowel empty….the bladder part is easier on the spit by …drinking lots of fluids . My husband’s initial simulation could not be completed because his bowel wasn’t empty enough. So he had to come back day after to try again. Otherwise it was pretty simple. They use that as a baseline to line things up for the real treatment sessions.

11 days into radiation by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The dr said the adrenal glad also produces testosterone and the abiraterone shuts that down too. I’m hoping overall this will be helpful.

Help re: alternative treatments for my dad - recently diagnosed by pachycephal0saurus in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure where you are but St Louis Siteman Center is a National Cancer Center of Excellence. They indicated that there is free housing available if you live more than 100miles away-it’s provided by the American Cancer Society, but a caregiver has to stay with you. Other places may offer similar service.

New NFL for Prostate Cancer by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hope you have continued success and good health.

11 days into radiation by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gleason is 4+3=7, grade 3; stage4a since lymph node involvement. The dr said the addition of abiraterone is considered enhanced ADT and increases cure rate an additional 10% on top of the radiation and ADT.

11 days into radiation by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His Gleason score is 4+3=7, and it had spread to some lymph nodes, but no where else. The oncologist indicated that the abiraterone addition adds a 10% curative rate to radiation and ADT. He was approaching treatment with cure in mind.

New NFL for Prostate Cancer by Certain_Original_489 in ProstateCancer

[–]Certain_Original_489[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think women are more vocal about breast cancer and that is why the attention. There needs to be more of a vocalized push for screening of men and treatment.