Bone mets spread to the skull :(

RoxysDad
RoxysDad Member Posts: 11
Sorry for the delay in updates. It has been a rollercoaster of events for Daddy and the family.

Daddy had an episode of lower paralaysis last week that concluded with a 3-day hospital stay, during which the CT Scan showed bone mets has spread to his skull. He is home now and has regained his use of his legs albeit much weaker than before. He continues RADs daily for the next week and a half.

The doctors are talking hospice? really? so soon?

an emotional mess,
Daddy's Little Girl
Roxy

Comments

  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    So sorry to read about your
    So sorry to read about your father.

    I would assume hospice would depend on how much time your family members have to assist your father. Sometimes just having some help can be a relieve. I've heard of people being in hospice for long periods of time. So don't look at it as the doctors are giving up, there is always hope!

    lewvino
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    Be Prepared
    Sorry to hear about the worsening condition of your father.

    My father was placed in hospice before he died (not from cancer). The basis for the placement was that they expected him to die w/in 6 months. He actually died w/in weeks of the placement. On the other hand, I had an aunt who was expected to pass w/in months who lived on for several years.

    However, if your father's doctors are talking about hospice, his condition is serious -- much more serious than you may know and your doctors (and/or other family members) may be keeping it from you in order to spare you the grief. If you want to know what your father's "real" prognosis is, ask for it but IMHO the writing already seems to be plainly written on the wall. The only question is when.

    So, you need to prepare yourself for the worst and to give as much comfort and care to your father as you can before his time comes.

    Best wishes to your father and to you and everyone else who loves him.
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,638 Member

    Be Prepared
    Sorry to hear about the worsening condition of your father.

    My father was placed in hospice before he died (not from cancer). The basis for the placement was that they expected him to die w/in 6 months. He actually died w/in weeks of the placement. On the other hand, I had an aunt who was expected to pass w/in months who lived on for several years.

    However, if your father's doctors are talking about hospice, his condition is serious -- much more serious than you may know and your doctors (and/or other family members) may be keeping it from you in order to spare you the grief. If you want to know what your father's "real" prognosis is, ask for it but IMHO the writing already seems to be plainly written on the wall. The only question is when.

    So, you need to prepare yourself for the worst and to give as much comfort and care to your father as you can before his time comes.

    Best wishes to your father and to you and everyone else who loves him.

    Any talks about a systemic treatment ?
    Roxy

    I do not know what to say about this sad update on your father’s case. I am sorry for what happen and hope to read your next post on improvements.
    I tend to believe on what Swing suggests above. Doctors may be hiding his real status from you. Some facts you commented previously do not fit the way I am acquainted with in the treatment of PCa.

    In any case, what are they telling you about a follow up treatment to handle the systemic cancer?
    Advanced cases are usually preceded with a second line hormonal therapy (Zytiga, MDV3100, etc) or chemotherapy. Alpharadin seems to work well in advanced bone metastases. You could inquire with his doctors on these drugs or in his involvement on a clinical trial, before deciding to give up.

    I sincerely wish that the conditions improve and turn to the best.

    Thinking of you and your dad.
    VGama
  • RoxysDad
    RoxysDad Member Posts: 11

    Any talks about a systemic treatment ?
    Roxy

    I do not know what to say about this sad update on your father’s case. I am sorry for what happen and hope to read your next post on improvements.
    I tend to believe on what Swing suggests above. Doctors may be hiding his real status from you. Some facts you commented previously do not fit the way I am acquainted with in the treatment of PCa.

    In any case, what are they telling you about a follow up treatment to handle the systemic cancer?
    Advanced cases are usually preceded with a second line hormonal therapy (Zytiga, MDV3100, etc) or chemotherapy. Alpharadin seems to work well in advanced bone metastases. You could inquire with his doctors on these drugs or in his involvement on a clinical trial, before deciding to give up.

    I sincerely wish that the conditions improve and turn to the best.

    Thinking of you and your dad.
    VGama

    More set backs
    Daddy has been running a fever post radiation the last few times. Now today he has been vomitting off and on all day.

    Mom has called the RADS oncologist, and they sent a Rx to the pharmacy. Is this normal? He is not on chemo, just RADS.

    Dear God, in heaven, please please please -- let Daddy have some peace.

    Daddy Little Girl,
    Roxy
  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    RoxysDad said:

    More set backs
    Daddy has been running a fever post radiation the last few times. Now today he has been vomitting off and on all day.

    Mom has called the RADS oncologist, and they sent a Rx to the pharmacy. Is this normal? He is not on chemo, just RADS.

    Dear God, in heaven, please please please -- let Daddy have some peace.

    Daddy Little Girl,
    Roxy

    Ill Effects
    Roxy,

    So sorry that your father's condition continues to decline. Nausea and vomiting are not usual reactions to radiation therapy but with an advanced condition like your father now has there could be any of a number of potential causes for the symptoms he is now showing.

    Hospice does sound to me like something your family should be seriously considering. I just went through hospice with my father-in-law who died in April after 7 months in the program (not from cancer). His in-home program gave him pain relief, frequent visits from medical nursing staff trained to alleviate pain, and made his final days happy. He was able to die at home in his own bed surrounded by family rather than in a hospital surrounded by strangers.

    In any event, his condition is declining quickly and short of a miracle is not going to turn around. Advanced stage prostate cancer is not an easy way to go but hospice can help your father and the family adjust to this transition as easily as possible.

    Wishing you all the best.

    K
  • RoxysDad
    RoxysDad Member Posts: 11
    Kongo said:

    Ill Effects
    Roxy,

    So sorry that your father's condition continues to decline. Nausea and vomiting are not usual reactions to radiation therapy but with an advanced condition like your father now has there could be any of a number of potential causes for the symptoms he is now showing.

    Hospice does sound to me like something your family should be seriously considering. I just went through hospice with my father-in-law who died in April after 7 months in the program (not from cancer). His in-home program gave him pain relief, frequent visits from medical nursing staff trained to alleviate pain, and made his final days happy. He was able to die at home in his own bed surrounded by family rather than in a hospital surrounded by strangers.

    In any event, his condition is declining quickly and short of a miracle is not going to turn around. Advanced stage prostate cancer is not an easy way to go but hospice can help your father and the family adjust to this transition as easily as possible.

    Wishing you all the best.

    K

    Daddy's Decision
    Daddy finished the last of his RADS this past week and was given the option (by his oncologist) to start Taxotere as a systemic approach to slow the cancer. The day that we met with the oncologist was a bad day for Daddy. He was feeling very tired and weak, plus his stomach was still upset - so, when asked about starting chemo - Daddy said "If I had to give you an answer today, Doc. It would be NO." Doc was quick to reply, "You don't have to answer today. Take your time; think about it."

    Then this weekend, we had another scare with Daddy; which included an ambulance ride this time and short stay in the hospital. He was back home for Father's Day and announced with a heavy heart that he will not be starting chemo. He feels too weak and sick right now and does not want to be sicker for the beauty of our Michigan summers. Home care nurses are coming out the house a few times a week and with any luck he will regain some strength to enjoy some fishing, gardening, and summer cook-outs.

    God bless you all for your kind words and support.
    Daddy's Little Girl.
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    RoxysDad said:

    Daddy's Decision
    Daddy finished the last of his RADS this past week and was given the option (by his oncologist) to start Taxotere as a systemic approach to slow the cancer. The day that we met with the oncologist was a bad day for Daddy. He was feeling very tired and weak, plus his stomach was still upset - so, when asked about starting chemo - Daddy said "If I had to give you an answer today, Doc. It would be NO." Doc was quick to reply, "You don't have to answer today. Take your time; think about it."

    Then this weekend, we had another scare with Daddy; which included an ambulance ride this time and short stay in the hospital. He was back home for Father's Day and announced with a heavy heart that he will not be starting chemo. He feels too weak and sick right now and does not want to be sicker for the beauty of our Michigan summers. Home care nurses are coming out the house a few times a week and with any luck he will regain some strength to enjoy some fishing, gardening, and summer cook-outs.

    God bless you all for your kind words and support.
    Daddy's Little Girl.

    Happy to hear your Father
    Happy to hear your Father was home for father's day. May he enjoy his Michigan Summer and tell him to catch some big fish! We are all rooting for him during this time.

    lewvino
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,638 Member
    lewvino said:

    Happy to hear your Father
    Happy to hear your Father was home for father's day. May he enjoy his Michigan Summer and tell him to catch some big fish! We are all rooting for him during this time.

    lewvino

    God bless you too, Roxy


    You dad’s choice couldn’t be better. Chemo would “destroy” this peaceful moment he is living. Treatments should be taken with care on one’s quality of life too. I am delightful to know that he has recovered and that you are happy too.
    My sincerely wishes for an enjoyable summer and nature living.

    Peace of mind to the whole family.

    VG
  • girlwithcompassion
    girlwithcompassion Member Posts: 2

    God bless you too, Roxy


    You dad’s choice couldn’t be better. Chemo would “destroy” this peaceful moment he is living. Treatments should be taken with care on one’s quality of life too. I am delightful to know that he has recovered and that you are happy too.
    My sincerely wishes for an enjoyable summer and nature living.

    Peace of mind to the whole family.

    VG

    My dad is 87. He had a bone
    My dad is 87. He had a bone scan this week & the prostate cancer has spread to the bones as well. The prognosis given us is 6 months.

    The oncologist mentioned Zytiga to slow the growth of the cancer; however, he has decided to opt out of these treatments. As the physician told us, the drs., will try to keep you coming back; however, what time he has left we want it to be as simple as possible.

    Hospice started this week & they have already been such a blessing as my dad is weak also & not getting around well at all. They have assured us that they have the proper drugs available for pallative care.

    My prayer is that my dad will go very quickly & pain-free. He is now home with a catheter & the biggest problem he is having is bladder spasms & diarehha. He also was diagnosed l l/2 year ago with carcinoid tumor in his stomack & we have also stopped taking the shots every three weeks.

    God Bless you as you walk this road. It is never easy but GOD PROMISES to give us the strength to make it thru. You will be in my prayers.